NYC Budget Watchdog Urges Mayor Mamdani to Cut Spending, Avoid Tax Hikes

The Citizens Budget Commission calls on the mayor to focus on fiscal responsibility through operational reforms, not higher taxes.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The centrist Citizens Budget Commission has urged New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to end calls for more taxes and instead focus on getting the city's long-standing overspending under control. The group suggested Mamdani tap into technology to offset personnel costs, reimagine ineffective programs, and develop a multi-year plan to restore fiscal sustainability, rather than relying on tax increases that could weaken the city's competitiveness.

Why it matters

Mayor Mamdani has been a vocal proponent of raising taxes, including a corporate tax increase and a 2% bump on personal income taxes for high earners. However, the Citizens Budget Commission argues that New York City's fiscal challenges are primarily due to excessive spending growth, not insufficient revenues. They believe the mayor should prioritize operational reforms and spending cuts over tax hikes to address the city's budget deficit.

The details

In a letter to Mayor Mamdani, the Citizens Budget Commission urged him to make use of the city's recently appointed chief savings officers to create a multi-year plan to rein in spending. The group suggested streamlining bureaucracy, eliminating staffing bloat, and using technology to offset personnel costs. They also recommended reimagining programs and agency initiatives that have not proven effective. The commission recognized that these choices would not be easy, but expressed confidence in Mamdani's ability to communicate priorities and tradeoffs to New Yorkers.

  • On February 13, 2026, the Citizens Budget Commission sent a letter to Mayor Mamdani with their recommendations.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The Democratic socialist mayor of New York City who has called for higher taxes to address the city's budget challenges.

Citizens Budget Commission

A centrist group that serves as a fiscal watchdog for New York City, urging the mayor to focus on spending cuts and operational reforms rather than tax increases.

Andrew Rein

The president of the Citizens Budget Commission who signed the letter to Mayor Mamdani.

Marissa Shorenstein

The current chair of the Citizens Budget Commission who also signed the letter to Mayor Mamdani.

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What they’re saying

“New York City's fiscal challenges are largely the result of excessive spending growth rather than insufficient revenues.”

— Citizens Budget Commission (nypost.com)

“Clear communication about priorities and tradeoffs will be critical, and we are confident in your ability to help New Yorkers understand how operational reforms can support affordability, protect core services, and strengthen trust in government.”

— Citizens Budget Commission (nypost.com)

What’s next

The Mamdani administration will release its first draft of a balanced budget on Tuesday, when the public will be able to see the real fiscal health of the city.

The takeaway

This dispute over the city's budget approach highlights the ongoing tension between those who favor tax increases to address fiscal challenges and those who believe the focus should be on spending cuts and operational reforms. The outcome could have significant implications for New Yorkers' wallets and the city's long-term competitiveness.