The protest below was on the steps of City Hall:
We asked the following questions about the announcement that follows below. The proposed property tax increase is now unlikely since the mayor was able to come to agreement with the governor on a certain flavor of ‘tax the rich’ – which is tax those with homes worth more than $5 million and who keep additional residence(s) out of the state:
Q:Do you have more details about the bullet points mentioned in the release, particularly EO or law numbers and dates enacted for the first point where he is capping the voucher program?
If you would like to elaborate on any of the other points raised, that would be great. The second (library and parks funding) and the fourth (property tax increase) are of particular interest to our readers, as many of them support or frequent libraries and parks, and they have been very vocal in their opposition to proposed property tax hikes.
A:The voucher program that the mayor promised he would implement the expansion of is the subject of a lawsuit. It was brought by the City Council and allied groups like the Legal Aid Society against former Mayor Adams because he refused to heed bills passed by the Council (and vetoed by Adams and then overrode by the Council) to expand the voucher program known as City FHEPS.
Adams said the city couldn’t afford to expand the rental assistance program, and Mamdani, while on the campaign trail – and in his campaign platform – sided with the Council and pledged to expand it. However, as mayor, he has appealed a court ruling that directed the city to implement the Council bills, effectively capping the program. Further links on that can be found here:
On libraries and parks, the fact that the mayor is not fulfilling his campaign pledges to increase their funding has been widely reported. For example, please find additional information here:
On the property tax threat, which the mayor said would be a last resort if he didn’t get the permission he needs from the governor to tax the wealthy – something she has steadfastly refused to do – this, too, has been widely reported, though apparently he’s soft-peddling it now due to significant backlash. Stories on that can be found here:
Holding Mayor Zohran Mamdani Accountable for Broken Promises Since Jan. 1 and Charting a Path Forward
(New York City) – Friday will be Mayor Mamdani’s 100th day on the job. As a candidate, he made a lot of promises. Since taking office, Mamdani has not only failed to deliver on many of those promises, he has broken some of them outright.
Representatives of a diverse array of interests, communities, and organizations gathered on the City Hall steps on Friday, April 10, at 10:30 a.m. to call on the mayor to keep his promises and commit to a plan to make the next 100 days better than the first 100.
The list of Mamdani’s yet-undone and flat-out broken campaign promises is long. Key highlights include:
- He said he would expand the city’s rental voucher program. HE’s CAPPING IT.
- He said he would increase funding for parks and libraries. HE HASN’T.
- He said he would focus on NYCHA. WHERE’S THE PLAN?
- He said he would make life more affordable for New Yorkers. HIS THREATENED PROPERTY TAX HIKES WOULD HURT BOTH HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS.
Mayor Mamdani’s first 100 days have been an extreme disappointment. He hasn’t kept his promises. He needs to do better – FAST.
New Yorkers took the mayor at his word and he didn’t deliver. Now we’re holding him accountable.
Banner Image: At the protest. Image Credit – New York coalition
For more information, visit: https://next100daysrally.com/
Staten Islander News Service Staff Writer
This byline indicates that this article was penned by a member/members of the Staten Islander News Organization office team. Our staff writers are the backbone of our newspaper, performing all sorts of important tasks like conducting interviews, investigating leads, besides writing the news stories you see.