Barring something extraordinary, Zohran Mamdani is likely to become New York City’s next mayor. As a self-proclaimed socialist, he’s promised to “fix” many of the city’s challenges by expanding the size and scope of government, all paid for by higher taxes on the wealthy. It’s a pipe dream, but it got the votes.
Ironically, if some congressional Republicans get their way, they could force all of America’s taxpayers to subsidize future Mayor Mamdani’s socialist experiment.
A handful of blue state Republicans are demanding a big handout to New York’s wealthiest as a condition for their vote on President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Their efforts would pave the way for Mamdani’s plans to boost taxes and dramatically expand New York City’s government by greatly increasing the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction — which allows taxpayers to write off property, sales, or state income taxes. If they get their way, Mamdani can raise taxes and wealthy New Yorkers could simply deduct their higher city taxes from their federal taxes. Of course, that means the total burden of taxation would shift away from the Big Apple and to taxpayers elsewhere.
Read the full story here.