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Menin and Mamdani Unite to Tax the Rich
29D AGOLOCALNYC COUNCIL MEMBER JULIE MENINPARTY POLITICS

Menin and Mamdani Unite to Tax the Rich

What's the gist?

NYC Mayor Mamdani and Council Speaker Menin joined forces to demand Albany reduce a tax credit benefiting wealthy New Yorkers, but Governor Hochul flatly refused their $1 billion revenue proposal.

Context

The mayor and speaker have clashed over budget solutions, with Menin previously rejecting Mamdani's property tax increases and wealthy tax proposals. Their rare unity comes amid a $5.4 billion city deficit.

Positive takes

Standing Up for Working Families. Menin demonstrates leadership by joining Mamdani's push to make wealthy New Yorkers pay their fair share rather than cutting essential city services.
Pragmatic Partnership. Despite past disagreements, Menin shows she can work across political differences when the city's fiscal health is at stake, putting politics aside for results.
Revenue Over Cuts. The speaker supports finding new money rather than slashing programs that working-class New Yorkers depend on, showing commitment to protecting vulnerable residents.

Negative takes

Tax-Happy Politicians. Critics argue Menin and Mamdani are reflexively reaching for tax increases instead of finding efficiencies in a bloated city budget that grows faster than inflation.
Economic Damage Risk. Business leaders warn that constantly targeting wealthy residents with new taxes could drive them away, ultimately hurting the city's tax base and job creation.
Albany Rejection Reality. Menin backed a proposal that Governor Hochul immediately shot down, suggesting poor political judgment and wasting time on dead-end solutions.
News sources
  1. 01
    Elizabeth Kim · Gothamist · April 30, 2026
  2. 02
    The City Staff · The City · April 29, 2026
  3. 03
    The City Staff · The City · April 28, 2026
  4. 04
    Sahalie Donaldson · City & State NY · April 30, 2026
  5. 05
    Sahalie Donaldson · City & State NY · April 30, 2026
Social takes
  1. 01
    @dreamfornyc · Twitter · Negative take