New York Gov. Hochul Opens Door to New Taxes to Fund Mamdani's Free Child Care Plan
NEW YORK — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said at the Somos political conference in Puerto Rico on November 6 that she is willing to raise new taxes if necessary to fund universal free child care, as Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani listened, smiling, beside her. 'When there's a special need, I'm willing to do what's necessary,' Hochul said, adding that the specific funding path will be announced in her 2027 State of the State address.
Universal free child care was a central promise of Mamdani's campaign. The state committed funding in May, but it only covers the program through 2028, leaving its long-term financing in question. Statewide child care funding has grown from $2.8 billion last year to $4.5 billion this year. Hochul, who just won reelection by about 20 points over Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman after campaigning on a promise of no new taxes, made the remarks as Democratic Socialists press for higher taxes on the wealthy. The political alliance Mamdani and Hochul built during the campaign has borne fruit; both traveled to Puerto Rico for the conference on November 6 and pledged greater support for the island. Hochul did not say whether she would cut spending, saying only that she would 'find a creative path' to sustain the child care program.
Source: New York Post
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 纽约州州长凯茜·霍楚尔（Wikimedia Commons，CC BY 2.0）
