Mayor Mamdani Responds to One-House Budget Plans

Mayor calls for fairer balance in city's fiscal relationship with state, thanks legislature for extending fare-free bus pilot

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani released a statement responding to the One-House Budget Resolutions passed by the New York State Assembly and Senate. Mamdani expressed gratitude for the legislature's steps to address the city's fiscal crisis, including by asking more from the wealthiest New Yorkers and creating a fairer balance in the city's fiscal relationship with the state. The mayor also thanked the legislature for extending the fare-free bus pilot program and supporting universal child care initiatives, while emphasizing the importance of mayoral control to delivering the city's affordability agenda.

Why it matters

New York City's fiscal health is critical to the state's economic wellbeing, and the mayor's response highlights the collaborative relationship being built between City Hall and the state legislature to address the city's budget challenges and advance key policy priorities around transportation and child care affordability.

The details

In his statement, Mayor Mamdani expressed gratitude for the Assembly and Senate One-House Budgets, which he said recognize the scale of the fiscal crisis facing New York City. He thanked Speaker Heastie, Leader Stewart-Cousins, and the Democratic conferences for taking steps to close the deficit, including by asking more from the wealthiest New Yorkers and creating a fairer balance in the city's fiscal relationship with the state. Mamdani also praised the legislature's extension of the fare-free bus pilot program and its support for advancing universal child care, while emphasizing the importance of mayoral control to delivering the city's affordability agenda.

  • The One-House Budget Resolutions were passed by the New York State Assembly and Senate on March 11, 2026.

The players

Zohran Kwame Mamdani

The mayor of New York City, who released a statement responding to the One-House Budget Resolutions.

Carl Heastie

The Speaker of the New York State Assembly.

Andrea Stewart-Cousins

The Majority Leader of the New York State Senate.

Kathy Hochul

The Governor of New York.

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What they’re saying

“The legislature and I agree: we cannot bridge this budget deficit on the backs of working-class New Yorkers. I'm grateful that the Assembly and Senate One-House Budgets recognize the scale of the fiscal crisis facing New York City.”

— Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (Mirage News)

“I want to thank Speaker Heastie, Leader Stewart-Cousins and the Assembly and Senate Democratic conferences for having taken meaningful steps toward closing the deficit we inherited, including by asking more from the wealthiest New Yorkers and by creating a fairer balance in the city's fiscal relationship with the state.”

— Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (Mirage News)

What’s next

The mayor and state legislature will continue to work together throughout the budget process to finalize the state budget and address New York City's fiscal challenges.

The takeaway

The collaborative relationship between Mayor Mamdani and the state legislature is crucial for addressing New York City's budget deficit and advancing key policy priorities around transportation and child care affordability. The mayor's response highlights the importance of a fair fiscal balance between the city and state to support the city's role as the economic engine of New York.