NYC Budget Gap Shrinks by $5 Billion Thanks to Wall Street Bonuses

Mayor Mamdani credits aggressive savings plan and updated revenue estimates for budget improvement.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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New York City's expected two-year budget gap has been reduced by roughly $5 billion, from $12 billion to $7 billion, according to Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The mayor credited Wall Street bonuses and an aggressive savings plan, without compromising city services, as the key factors behind the budget improvement.

Why it matters

New York City's budget is a critical indicator of the financial health of the nation's largest city. The reduction in the projected deficit will allow the city to maintain essential services and programs without having to make deep cuts or raise taxes significantly.

The details

Mayor Mamdani announced the budget improvement in an address to lawmakers in Albany. He said the city was able to lower the $12 billion gap by assuming an aggressive posture on savings, incorporating updated revenue and bonus estimates, and using in-year reserves.

  • Mayor Mamdani announced the budget update on February 11, 2026.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who announced the reduction in the city's budget gap.

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What they’re saying

“I'm glad to report that by assuming an aggressive posture on savings without compromising city services, incorporating updated revenue and bonus estimates, and using in-year reserves, we have lowered that $12 billion gap to $7 billion.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (Bloomberg)

The takeaway

New York City's budget outlook has improved significantly, thanks to a combination of Wall Street bonuses and prudent fiscal management by the Mamdani administration. This will allow the city to maintain critical services and programs without having to make deep cuts or raise taxes excessively.