Mamdani floats 9.5% NYC property tax increase as last resort

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani proposed a 9.5% citywide property tax hike as a final measure to close about a $5.4 billion budget gap, potentially raiding reserves; the proposal would require City Council approval and faces swift opposition, while Gov. Hochul disputes the need for a property tax increase and has added roughly $1.5 billion in state funding to shrink the gap. Critics say the plan is inequitable and demand reform of the property tax system, with savings analyses due by March 20 as the city continues to grapple with a long-standing budget shortfall.