Zohran Mamdani, 34, the New York mayor-elect, has faced a negative response from the New York governor, who is in the same Democratic Party, to his pledge to make city buses free.
On the 9th (local time), according to the New York Times (NYT), New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she is "not prepared to move forward at this time" on Mamdani's "free city buses" pledge.
Hochul said, "In a system that relies on bus and subway fares, we cannot present a plan right now that takes that money out," adding, "It is possible to find ways to create more reasonable fares for people who need help." Given budget limits, she intends to pursue welfare by selecting priorities and concentrating resources.
It is known that more than $800 million (about 1.168 trillion won) in funding would be needed annually to realize Mamdani's free city bus pledge. Hochul said, "Amid the reality of federal budget cuts, we must balance the demand for new welfare programs," adding, "This is a moment when ideals and reality collide."
Mamdani was elected on promises of free buses, universal free education, and a freeze on apartment rents. Among these, free buses and free education require support from the state government, and with Hochul stating her opposition, the policy push is unlikely to be smooth.
Hochul also expressed a negative stance on Mamdani's universal free education pledge. Mamdani promised free education for all children from 6 weeks to 5 years old, but Hochul's position is to first segment children by factors such as age or region and then introduce free education in stages.
Hochul declared her support for Mamdani early in the campaign, but drew a line by saying, "We differ on some policy areas." She also opposes Mamdani's pledge to raise the income tax.