Hochul opens the door to new taxes to pay for Mamdani’s free childcare in New York

New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday opened the door to new taxes to fund the universal childcare plan she is advancing with Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a shift from her campaign pledge not to raise taxes.

Hochul made the remarks at the Somos political conference in Puerto Rico, with Mamdani at her side, as she faces growing pressure from her Democratic Socialists of America allies to raise taxes on the wealthy following the Democrats’ midterm sweep on Tuesday.

“When we have a severe need for something extraordinary, I am willing to do what has to happen,” said the governor, freshly re-elected by about 20 points over Republican Bruce Blakeman. She added that her approach would be “thoughtful,” “not ideological” and “pragmatic,” and that the path forward will be announced in her State of the State address in 2027.

The universal childcare programme, which includes free care for 2-year-olds, is funded through 2028, but lawmakers asked on Friday where the money will come from to sustain it in the long term. Mamdani, for his part, reiterated that he stands by his “tax the rich” position and said he looks forward to continuing to work with the governor “to deliver for working people.”

The alliance between Hochul, a moderate Democrat, and Mamdani, a democratic socialist, was central to the campaign: she won re-election comfortably and he reached City Hall promising a rent freeze on regulated apartments and expanded free childcare. The debate over how to pay for those promises will be one of the first fronts of the 2027 legislative session.

Photo: New York Post / Craig McCarthy

Source: New York Post