Mayor and governor prioritize universal care as governing partners in ambitious agenda
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul completed their first two weeks as governing partners on Wednesday, marking a busy start to the enactment of an ambitious shared affordability agenda. The newly elected mayor and the governor, running for reelection this year, claimed numerous victories in the early days of their working relationship, with the crown jewel being their January 8 announcement of a citywide free childcare program for two-year-olds, a home run on a high-priority agenda item for both elected officials.
Historic Agreement on Childcare
The scale of the universal childcare agreement is unusual so early on in a mayoral administration. According to Hochul, the plan would be fully funded by the state and serve about 2,000 children in its first year. Former Mayor Bill De Blasio and former Governor Andrew Cuomo sparred for months over funding New York City’s pre-kindergarten program in 2014 before settling on a deal. However, the childcare agreement Hochul and Mamdani reached is not everything the new mayor has pledged to New Yorkers on the campaign trail. Core to Mamdani’s democratic socialist agenda is increasing taxes on New York’s wealthiest to bankroll his plans for affordability, which include a rent freeze on rent-stabilized apartments, universal childcare, and the elimination of city bus fares. Though Hochul has long been an advocate of affordable childcare, she has poured cold water on Mamdani’s hopes for free bus fares and has bristled at calls to tax the rich. “Nothing is a permanent ‘no,’ we’re having conversations,” Hochul said in a recent interview about free bus fares. On taxes, she said, “I don’t think it makes sense to tax anyone, or the wealthy in particular, for just the sake of raising taxes.”
Ideological Differences, Strategic Alignment
Hochul’s endorsement of Mamdani after he won the Democratic primary in June 2025 came despite some ideological differences. Hochul is a centrist Democrat; Mamdani is a democratic socialist. A stark reminder of those differences confronted the duo last week, when Hochul endorsed Representative Dan Goldman for reelection to New York’s 10th Congressional District, a race in which Mamdani is pulling for political ally and former City Comptroller Brad Lander.
Building a Working Relationship
Albany experts suggest the united front in their first two weeks could indicate a productive working relationship despite ideological differences. According to Ben Max, executive editor at the Center for New York City Law, “Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani have obvious overlapping priorities such as childcare, and ways in which politically, they both recognize that they need each other.” Regarding the pair’s willingness to compromise, observers pointed specifically to Mamdani’s willingness to accept a 2-Care childcare plan not funded by a tax hike. The plan will cost the state $1.7 billion in its first two years.
Shared Priorities Beyond Childcare
Hochul’s annual State of the State address on Tuesday largely revolved around her focus on affordability and fighting the Trump administration, priorities shared by Mamdani. For Hochul, entering a unique reelection race, she’s looking to her left for support. She will likely be attacked as a Mamdani ally by Republicans, but she hopes that will be counteracted by significant support from Mamdani voters. The childcare announcement is key in courting that favor. For more information on state childcare policy frameworks, see Health Human Services resources and Social Security Administration guidance on family support.
