Mayor Adams Left Budget Mess, Savings Officers Across Agencies, Snow Melting Operations, Food Delivery Worker Settlement, New Homeless Shelter Units, Louis Armstrong Museum Free Sunday, David Dinkins Municipal Bldg Tours, Free Tax Services For New Yorkers: Mayor Mamdani

Mayor Mamdani Details “Adams Budget Crisis”  

Adams’ staggering fiscal mismanagement left a $12 billion hole in NYC budget for the next two fiscal years

NEW YORK, NY – Mayor Zohran Mamdani outlined the “Adams Budget Crisis,” a fiscal emergency driven by years of staggering mismanagement under former Mayor Eric Adams that left New York City facing a $12 billion budget shortfall over fiscal years 2026 and 2027. 

Speaking at a press conference, Mamdani said the crisis stemmed from a pattern of underbudgeting essential services that New Yorkers rely on every day including rental assistance, shelter operations, and special education. For example, Adams budgeted $860 million for cash assistance in fiscal year 2026, even though current projections put the cost at nearly $1.7 billion, almost double what was budgeted. 

Under the Adams administration, budget gaps were consistently and intentionally understated. In some programs, the true shortfall is nearly double what was publicly disclosed. Mamdani also pointed to a longer pattern of disinvestment driven by the state. During more than a decade under former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New York City sent far more revenue to Albany than it received in return. In 2022 alone, New York City sent $68.8 billion in revenue to Albany – and received just $47.6 billion back.

“That imbalance has hollowed out our city’s finances and left us with a chasm that can no longer be sustained,” Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani said. 

Mayor Mamdani said his administration will not allow working New Yorkers – who did not cause the crisis – to become victims of its solution. He reaffirmed the city’s commitment to balancing the preliminary budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 on Feb. 17 and renewed his call to raise taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers and most profitable corporations in New York, while rooting out waste and inefficiencies in city government. 

Find Mayor Mamdani’s “Adams Budget Crisis” PowerPoint HERE

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MAYOR MAMDANI SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER TO REQUIRE CHIEF SAVINGS OFFICERS ACROSS CITY AGENCIES, BOLSTER CITY PERFORMANCE 

Each agency to designate Chief Savings Officer to review performance,  eliminate waste and streamline service delivery

Officers will identify programs that provide highest returns for New Yorkers and improve long-term quality and efficiency of City government

NEW YORK, NY — Mayor Zohran Mamdani today signed Executive Order 12 to designate an existing senior employee as “Chief Savings Officer” at every city agency and strengthen the long-term performance of city government. The Chief Savings Officers will report directly to the head of the agency and will have 45 days to review agency operations, determine services that deliver the strongest results for New Yorkers, and locate opportunities to streamline processes and eliminate waste. Chief Savings Officers will help protect the city services that New Yorkers rely upon and improve the efficiency of city government for years to come.      

“Delivering public goods requires public excellence. That means a government that respects New Yorkers by using every dollar wisely. By designating a Chief Savings Officer at every agency, we’re taking direct aim at waste, cutting through bureaucracy, and making city services work. These Chief Savings Officers will help ensure that every dollar we spend is in service of a safer, cleaner, and more affordable city — and that our government meets the standard New Yorkers deserve,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani.   

Under Executive Order 12, each city agency will have five days to appoint a Chief Savings Officer and ensure they are empowered with the relevant staff and data to meet Mayor Mamdani’s mandate. Chief Savings Officers will have 45 days to complete a comprehensive assessment of their agency’s spending — analyzing the most expensive programs to understand major drivers of cost as well as the highest-performing programs to register services with clear and meaningful results. Additionally, they will determine opportunities to consolidate services, insource programs, and reduce wasteful expenses such as duplicative programs.    

Chief Savings Officers will present their findings to the Offices of the First Deputy Mayor and Budget Director. In order to meaningfully stabilize the City’s finances and lay the foundation for lasting government excellence, Chief Savings Officers will not focus on one-time accounting measures but rather on recurring savings and sustainable efficiencies. Additionally, Chief Savings Officers will complete updated assessments every six months, evaluating progress and identifying new opportunities for savings and efficiency.   

Executive Order 12 follows yesterday’s announcement that severe fiscal mismanagement by the Adams administration left New York City with a $12 billion budget shortfall over fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Mayor Mamdani Visits Snow Melting Location, Updates New Yorkers on Snow Removal Operations 

 Thousands of City workers deployed each shift to clear crosswalks, bus stops, and bike lanes 

City melted 23 million pounds of snow and used 116 million pounds of salt 

NEW YORK, NY – Mayor Zohran Mamdani visited a Department of Sanitation (DSNY) snow-melting site yesterday morning to provide an update on the City’s response to this weekend’s winter storm, which brought as much as 15 inches of snow to some parts of New York City.  

“Across all five boroughs, we’ve melted 23 million pounds of snow using eight snow-melting sites. Every 12-hour shift, 2,500 sanitation workers are out there clearing bus stops, crosswalks, hydrants, and other critical infrastructure,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “These are tough conditions, and these workers are doing essential work to keep this city moving.”

Mamdani said the city is expanding its response to meet the ongoing challenges posed by freezing temperatures.

“There is still more work to do,” Mamdani said. “That’s why we are bringing in hundreds more city workers from outside the Sanitation Department, extending shifts and deploying emergency equipment to get this done faster and safer.” 

How the City is Keeping Our Streets Clear:  

DSNY has deployed approximately 2,500 sanitation workers per shift. To speed recovery, the Departments of Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Transportation and Citywide Administrative Services are assisting sanitation crews. The city has also contracted roughly 500 emergency snow shovelers per day over the past three days. In addition, 100 sanitation workers are operating specialized vehicles, to break up and remove snow ridges that remain frozen due to prolonged cold. 

Despite challenging conditions, City workers have cleared more than 13,876 crosswalks, 12,696 bus stops, and 4,486 fire hydrants. Operations continue around the clock. The City has used 116 million pounds of salt to keep roads safe and passable, and, since Tuesday, melted 23 million pounds of snow. Yesterday, eight snow-melting locations – at least one in every borough – were activated to further support snow removal operations.  

Thanks to the tireless work of City workers, the City shoveled 100% of bus stops with shelters across the City in the past few days.  However, City workers are still out on the streets, working tirelessly to ensure streets remain cleared.  

Here’s What We Are Asking of New Yorkers:  

Keeping streets safe is a shared responsibility. Property owners are required to clear snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their buildings. Snow may be placed at the building line or the curbline but not in the street, where it obstructs snow removal operations.  

Violations will continue to be issued for property owners who fail to comply. Snow or ice conditions on sidewalks can be reported by calling 311.  

MAYOR MAMDANI ANNOUNCES $5 MILLION SETTLEMENT, REINSTATEMENT OF AS MANY AS 10,000 WRONGFULLY DEACTIVATED FOOD DELIVERY WORKERS 

Uber Eats, Fantuan, and HungryPanda will pay more than $5 million for violations affecting nearly 50,000 workers

Mayor Mamdani and DSS Announce New Single-Room Shelter Units in Upper Manhattan for Homeless New Yorkers 

Emergency action comes as the City activates a whole-of-government response to potentially historic winter cold

Builds on yesterday’s launch of 17 new mobile warming units for direct outreach, which is expanding to 20 tonight

New York, NY – Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and the New York City Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Park announced an emergency expansion of single-room-occupancy style shelter units in Upper Manhattan, which will be available beginning tomorrow for New Yorkers experiencing unsheltered homelessness, who are better served by these settings.   

The new units are designed to reach people who are reluctant to come indoors because they do not want to share rooms or are skeptical of other shelter options.   

“As a dangerous cold persists, my administration is working around the clock to keep New Yorkers safe. By making new single-room units available, we are meeting people where they are and removing barriers that keep too many New Yorkers out in the cold,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Across our city, dedicated public servants are clearing crosswalks and bus stops, melting down snow ridges, spreading salt and conducting relentless outreach to bring people indoors. As this critical work continues, I urge all New Yorkers who can to stay indoors, look out for your neighbors, and call 311 if you see someone who needs help.”  

Protecting New Yorkers During Extreme Cold   

As freezing temperatures continue, the Mamdani administration is deploying every available resource and introducing new ones to keep New Yorkers warm, safe and indoors. Since Jan. 19, intensified outreach efforts have resulted in more than 860 placements for homeless New Yorkers.   

Information on warming center and available space can be found on 311.  

In addition to new single room shelter units announced today, the city has taken the following actions during the current cold weather emergency:   

• Under Code Blue protocols, outreach teams have expanded canvassing across all five boroughs to connect vulnerable New Yorkers with shelter, Safe Havens, drop-in centers, and warming buses. Intake procedures are relaxed during Cold Blue so anyone can come inside immediately.   

• Through NYC Health and Hospital’s mobile outreach program, the City has deployed a fleet of 20 overnight mobile warming units that provide cold weather relief, medical care, and access to warming centers, hospitals, or shelters as needed. Mobile warming units are operating nightly from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. for the duration of Code Blue.   

• As part of an all-hands response, the city has expanded warming bus capacity and strengthened coordination across agencies, including:  

• Deployment of 20 warming buses near hospitals, drop-in centers, and subway stations;   

• Enhanced warming centers at 11 NYC Health + Hospitals hospital facilities and seven Gotham Health community health centers across all boroughs;  

• Outreach by adult mental health providers to all clients, with priority for those who are homeless or medically vulnerable;   

• Overtime authorization for outreach staff and contractors; and  

• Coordinated messaging to shelter providers, faith organizations and hospitals to help bring people indoors.   

• City agencies have aligned public messaging on warming buses, warming center, and homeless outreach services. Notify NYC has issued multiple alerts in 13 languages, including ASL, reaching nearly 1.5 million New Yorkers. Information has been distributed to all 43 active Strengthening Community partners and shared with approximately 8,000 nonprofit partners through the Community Preparedness Newsletter. NYC Emergency Management (NYCEM) has also transmitted this guidance to every elected official in the city.  

• Additional outreach has reached more than 2,000 service providers through the NYC Advance Warning System, which supports organizations serving people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.   

• NYCEM continues to convene daily interagency coordination calls through the Winter Weather Emergency Steering Committee, with participation from approximately 35 agencies to align logistics, staffing, locations and outreach.  

• Mayor Mamdani has also released multiple public service announcements urging New Yorkers to stay safe during extreme weather:  

• PSA #1  

• PSA #2  

• PSA #3  

Snow and Ice Removal Updates   

The Mamdani administration continues to expand snow and ice removal efforts citywide. Mayor Mamdani recently announced more than 2,500 Department of Sanitation workers are deployed per shift, supported by 385 additional city workers, 640 contractors and 530 emergency snow shovelers.   

As of today, crews have cleared more than 24,649 crosswalks, 6,947 fire hydrants and 14,831 bus stops. The city has spread 188 million pounds of salt and melted 67 million pounds of snow, up from 23 million yesterday.  

These numbers will continue to rise as cleanup continues.  New Yorkers are encouraged to stay safe indoors when possible, and to report uncleared crosswalks, sidewalks, medians, roads, bus shelters or fire hydrants by calling 311.   

NEW YORK, NY – New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Yume Kitasei announced that the tallest tower of the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building will be opened for entirely free public tours for the first time this summer, making this unique perspective on the city available in time for the World Cup. Beginning in June, the public will be able to book tours led by DCAS staff through an online portal, with groups of six people departing from the NYC CityStore in the base of the building.  

This access is enabled by a $6 million improvement project on the building, including repairing the building’s historic cupola, installing glass barriers to ensure visitors can safely enjoy the panoramic views of the city, and renovating the rotunda landing to make it safe and inviting to the public. Opening this space to the public for the first time builds on the Mamdani administration’s efforts to ensure New Yorkers across the five boroughs are able to access and enjoy the city’s public realm.  

Mayor Mamdani made the announcement on the second day of Black History Month, in honor of the city’s first Black mayor. The David N. Dinkins Municipal Building is one of the largest government office buildings in the world.  

“From the tower of 1 Centre Street—also known as the David Dinkins Municipal Building—the ‘gorgeous mosaic’ that Mayor Dinkins spoke of reveals itself in its totality. As we celebrate Mayor Dinkins’ legacy, we’re making that unique view available to the people of New York City,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani.  

“The work that happens inside the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building is for the benefit of New Yorkers – and soon, the building itself will be, too. With these renovations and access, we will make a truly one-of-a-kind space available for the public to enjoy,” said Julia Kerson, Deputy Mayor for Operations. “Starting this summer, New Yorkers and visitors alike will be able to see our city in a new way.”  

“For the first time ever, New Yorkers and visitors alike will experience the sweeping views of the city’s skyline perched atop the pinnacle of our city’s government operations, 1 Centre Street,” said DCAS Commissioner Yume Kitasei. “Upon its completion, this project will increase public access to an iconic landmark and create new ways to experience New York City and preserve our historical building’s infrastructure for future generations.”  

“It shouldn’t be just the wealthy who enjoy the inspiration of an observation deck. New Yorkers should have an opportunity to look down upon the city they love,” said Comptroller Mark Levine. “I’ve been calling for this since serving as a Council Member and then Borough President, because when we open our civic institutions, we not only live up to our welcoming identity, we create a new way for New Yorkers to know and enjoy their home.”  

“New York’s history, like its government, should be for the people,” said New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. “I’m so glad that the mayor sees the importance of bringing the public into this space to see our incredible city. This building is named for David Dinkins, and now, New Yorkers will have the opportunity to see the city as David Dinkins did – that gorgeous mosaic. They’ll see the patchwork of peoples who have come together – as you circle this building and look out you’ll see neighborhoods built by so many backgrounds, woven together through time and community. It’s exciting to see city leadership get people excited about their city: exploring it, observing it, appreciating it. I encourage all New Yorkers to explore and learn about our neighborhoods in new ways, to see our streets from a new perspective – in this case, a bird’s eye view.”  

“Stanford White would be proud today to see his firm’s civic masterwork at the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building finally getting its due, 113 years after its completion. By opening the cupola at 1 Centre Street to the public, I hope generations of New Yorkers will be inspired by this stunning limestone landmark and its remarkable views, along with the possibility that government can do great things,” said Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal. “The David N. Dinkins Municipal Building is a home for public service, and thanks to Mayor Mamdani and DCAS Commissioner Kitasei, opening its cupola affirms that our city’s most remarkable spaces should be affordable and welcoming to everyone.”  

The David N. Dinkins Municipal Building is home to over 2,000 employees, including the offices of the Comptroller, the Public Advocate, and the Manhattan Borough President, as well as a variety of city agencies. Designed by architecture firm McKim, Mead and White and constructed between 1909 and 1914, the building was made a New York City landmark in 1966, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and renamed after Mayor David N. Dinkins in 2015. 

MAYOR MAMDANI JOINS DCWP AND NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS TO PROMOTE FREE TAX PREPARATION SERVICES FOR NEW YORKERS  

In-person and virtual tax preparation services are available in various languages across the city and at NYC Health + Hospitals and MetroPlusHealth sites 

Efforts this year will be paired with an expanded crackdown on deceptive practices in the tax preparer industry, ensuring New Yorkers across the city are protected

New York, NY – Mayor Mamdani joined the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), NYC Health + Hospitals and MetroPlusHealth to kick off the 2026 tax season by announcing free, in-person and virtual tax preparation services for New Yorkers as part of DCWP’s NYC Free Tax Prep initiative. Last year 110,000 returns were completed through NYC Free Tax Prep, saving New Yorkers an average of $346 in tax preparation fees per return and approximately $38.2 million citywide. This year, the administration is focused on pairing the free tax preparation program with compliance in the paid tax preparer industry to protect all New Yorkers from unfair fees, sketchy loan products, and other deceptive corporate activity. This will include a citywide sweep of paid tax preparer locations to ensure they are following the law, as well as compliance notices warning paid tax preparers of the City’s ban on illegal overcharging and hidden fees. 

“New Yorkers shouldn’t have to jump through hoops or pay outrageous fees just to file their taxes,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “Through NYC Free Tax Prep, our administration is working across agencies to deliver exactly that—helping New Yorkers file for free, receive the tax refunds they’re owed, and avoid hidden fees and tax scams.”  

The NYC Free Tax Prep program is available to anyone who lives or works in New York City and who earns $97,000 or less annually and files as a family, or those who earn $68,000 or less annually and file as an individual or couple without a dependent – making half of all New Yorkers eligible for the program. Services are available now at over 140 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sites around the city. Volunteer providers are equipped to connect filers with assistance for their questions about managing student loan debt. New Yorkers can call 311 or visit nyc.gov/TaxPrep and use DCWP’s interactive map to search for the most convenient free tax site near them, including at NYC Health + Hospitals and MetroPlusHealth sites. 

“To New Yorkers: protect your budget and skip pricey paid tax preparation if you can. Our knowledgeable preparers will ensure you get your full refund and all credits you may be eligible for, like the recently enhanced Empire State Child Tax Credit,” said DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine. “This tax season, DCWP is ramping up efforts to protect New Yorkers from sketchy tax scams. And, as student loan borrowers face unprecedented confusion due to harmful policies at the federal level, NYC Free Tax Prep has never been more important.” 

“Financial stability is a fundamental contributor to overall health and well-being,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Vice President and Chief Population Health Officer Nichola Davis, MD, MS. “Since 2018, we have scaled our partnership with NYC Tax Prep from a single pilot site to 15 locations in 2026. By helping our patients secure free filing and tax credits, we are reducing some of the financial stress that often stands in the way of good health.” 

“New Yorkers should not have to choose between spending money on tax preparation services or rent, food, or childcare,” said Council Member Harvey Epstein. “As Chair of the Consumer and Worker Protection Committee, I applaud the Mayor and the DCWP’s initiatives to help thousands of low income New Yorkers.” 

“New Yorkers can once again access free, in‑person tax preparation at select MetroPlusHealth community offices, along with virtual support from trained volunteers,” said Dr. Talya Schwartz, President and Chief Executive Officer of MetroPlusHealth. “For many working families, no‑cost tax assistance can have a meaningful impact. MetroPlusHealth remains deeply committed to helping provide essential services — from helping individuals enroll in quality health insurance to offering free tax preparation. Whether someone requires comprehensive guidance or just a bit of support, our team stands ready to help them successfully file their taxes.” 

“Gotham Health is proud to participate in the NYC Free Tax Prep initiative and to offer this vital service directly in our health centers across New York City. We believe access to high-quality care must also include access to the financial resources that support healthier lives,” said Michelle Lewis, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health. “We encourage eligible New Yorkers to schedule an appointment and take advantage of free support to file accurately and claim the credits and refunds they have earned.” 

NYC Free Tax Prep services include: 

Consumers should also be on alert for predatory tax preparers that overcharge, charge hidden fees, or file their return without permission. Beware of preparers promising a “rapid refund” or “fast cash” that hide the fact that a Refund Anticipation Loan is a loan. To that end, DCWP is issuing compliance notices to tax preparers across the city this month, warning them to adhere to New York City consumer protection laws that ban overcharging or charging hidden fees. 

The City encourages eligible filers to file for free with NYC Free Tax Prep, but consumers who use a paid tax preparer should ask the preparer for the Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Tax Preparers (additional languages available) and read it carefully before having their taxes prepared.