Mamdani’s tax-the-rich push tests Hochul as NYC budget fight heats up

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani used a budget briefing to push Gov. Kathy Hochul to raise taxes on the wealthiest residents and big corporations to close a projected city budget gap, arriving as Hochul launches her reelection. Hochul dismissed the timing, arguing the state has boosted NYC funding and will bring in about $17 billion in extra revenue this year, while watchdogs say the gap could be smaller (around $8 billion) and the political clash underscores tensions in the state-city fiscal relationship ahead of the 2026 campaign.