Zohran Mamdani on Budget & Economy NY State Rep and 2025 NYC Mayoral candidate

My election, and Trump's, all about affordability

MAMDANI: I shared with the president that when I asked New Yorkers why did they vote for the president, they told me again and again it was cost of living, cost of living, cost of living. And when the president and I were speaking, we were speaking about what is preventing from delivering on that affordability agenda. Sometimes it's a lack of taking on the broken system that we have. And I spoke about it in New York City, for example, zoning regulations. And we also spoke about the importance of understanding what it is that hurts New Yorkers and their pockets. It's their rent. It's their child care. It's their utilities. And it's their child care. Because the child care, I say twice, because it is the second highest cost after housing, $22,500 a year for a single child.

We shouldn't have billionaires in a moment of inequality

MAMDANI: I don't think that we should have billionaires because, frankly, it is so much money in a moment of such inequality. And, ultimately, what we need more of is equality across our city and across our state and across our country. And I look forward to work with everyone, including billionaires, to make a city that is fairer for all of them.

Shouldn't be priced out what's needed for a dignified life