By: Nick Carroway

As originally reported exclusively by the New York Post, socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is vowing to raise corporate taxes to fund a sweeping expansion of government programs, including free public transit and childcare, city-run grocery stores, and rent freezes for millions of New Yorkers.

In an exclusive interview with The Post, Mamdani, a Queens state assemblyman, outlined his ambitious vision for New York City, emphasizing his campaign’s “relentless focus” on affordability.

“We have a North Star,” the 33-year-old Astoria politician stated. “That is all driven by the belief that working-class New Yorkers cannot afford to worry about anything beyond cost, because it’s cost that is pushing them out of the city that they love.”

Mamdani’s proposed tax hikes target corporations to bring New York’s rate in line with neighboring states. He pointed to New Jersey’s recent 9% corporate tax rate compared to New York’s 7.25%, claiming that increasing the rate could cover the majority of his proposed agenda.

“If we were to match the gap between that New Jersey tax rate and our own, that would pay for the bulk of this agenda,” Mamdani said, dismissing concerns that businesses would flee the city in response. He argued that as long as companies operate in the Empire State, they will still be subject to taxation.

Beyond corporate tax hikes, Mamdani has proposed reducing or eliminating tax exemptions for major institutions such as Columbia and New York universities, a move he says would free up significant funds for the city’s public services. His legislation to redirect these funds toward the City University of New York (CUNY) system has gained support, even receiving praise from The Post’s editorial board.

Mamdani estimates that his universal childcare plan would cost roughly $6 billion annually, with free bus transit requiring an additional $700 million.

“The cost of free buses is about, let’s say, $700 million or something a year,” he explained. “And I believe that we can pay for that as well as universal childcare through what I’m talking about with the raising of corporate tax rates, as well as through more effective use of city revenue.”

A core component of Mamdani’s campaign is redefining public safety. He has pledged to strip the NYPD of responsibilities such as mental health crisis intervention, homeless outreach, and traffic enforcement, shifting these duties to a newly proposed Department of Community Safety.

“I think that we can deliver a safer city by making it clear what the responsibilities are of the Police Department,” Mamdani said.

His far-left vision stands in stark contrast to his chief rival, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who recently announced his own bid for mayor. Cuomo, despite past allegations of misconduct, leads in early polling with 38% support, while Mamdani holds 12%.

“I think the thing that New Yorkers hate more than a politician they disagree with is one that they can’t trust,” Mamdani said, taking a jab at Cuomo’s controversial record. “What he is looking to do for the duration of this race is evade any and all questions as to the record he actually has, and instead speak to this moment.”

As the race for City Hall intensifies, Mamdani remains confident that his socialist platform will resonate with voters seeking bold economic change.