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NY Post Readers Debate Mayor Mamdani's Budget Plan
Letters discuss potential property tax hike and impact on New Yorkers
Feb. 26, 2026 at 8:31am
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NY Post readers share their opinions on Mayor Zohran Mamdani's new budget plan for New York City, which includes a proposed 9.5% property tax increase. The letters express concerns about the tax hike impacting all residents, not just the wealthy, as well as criticisms of Mamdani's socialist policies and their impact on the city.
Why it matters
The debate over Mayor Mamdani's budget plan highlights the ongoing political tensions in New York City, with some readers accusing the mayor of pursuing a radical socialist agenda that will hurt businesses and residents. The property tax increase is a key point of contention, as readers argue it will be passed on to renters and consumers.
The details
In the letters, readers criticize Mayor Mamdani for proposing a 9.5% property tax hike, arguing that it will adversely impact all New Yorkers, not just the wealthy. One reader states that 'only a socialist could look at you with a straight face and say, "I'm going to raise property taxes 9.5%, but that it's not going to be passed along to the renter or final consumer."' Another reader calls Mamdani a 'true socialist' whose policies are 'bad for the city' and will lead to the city becoming a 'cesspool.' Readers also accuse Mamdani of hating Jews, whites, and law enforcement, and of advancing a 'mendacious agenda of an avowed communist.'
- Mayor Mamdani proposed the new budget plan in February 2026.
The players
Zohran Mamdani
The mayor of New York City who proposed the new budget plan with a potential property tax hike.
Kathy Hochul
The governor of New York who is spending $1.5 billion of state taxpayer money to advance Mamdani's 'mendacious agenda.'
What they’re saying
“Only a socialist could look at you with a straight face and say, 'I'm going to raise property taxes 9.5%, but that it's not going to be passed along to the renter or final consumer.'”
— John E. Dumary Jr.
“Mamdani's on a quest to break the rich. It's bad enough that he hates Jews, whites and law enforcement, but to go after big businesses that provide jobs for New Yorkers is seriously wrong.”
— John Kubenski Jr.
The takeaway
The debate over Mayor Mamdani's budget plan highlights the deep political divisions in New York City, with some residents accusing the mayor of pursuing a radical socialist agenda that will harm businesses, residents, and the city as a whole. The proposed property tax hike is a key point of contention, with readers arguing it will be passed on to consumers and renters.
