Our previous post made the case that the new mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamadani, and his actions and priorities were helping New York City maintain its lead in the race to bankruptcy court. That post can be accessed at the following link:
https://loathemygovernment.blogspot.com/2026/02/mamdani-and-new-york-city-take-lead-in.html
Before updating his priorities and plans, let’s review how a city or state goes bankrupt:
A government entity keeps expanding its budget, eventually putting pressure on the tax revenue stream it receives.
At some point, rather than cut government spending or make its programs more efficient financially, the politicians in charge raise taxes to meet the ever growing government expenditures.
The raising of taxes causes some residents and businesses to leave the city or state for less tax burdensome areas, reducing the tax base and reducing the revenue stream.
Rather than cut expenses and become more efficient to match the reduced tax revenue stream, politicians in the above cities or states raise the tax burden even more.
This causes more residents and businesses to flee the city or state, further reducing the tax base and tax revenue stream.
At some point politicians panic and raise taxes more and start cutting vital government services (e.g. police, fire, education) in order to try and balance government spending against the shrinking tax base and revenue stream.
The reduction in quality of government services in particular and quality of life in general drives more residents and businesses out of the area.
Eventually, the expenses, costs and financial liabilities outstrip the reduced tax stream and bankruptcy occurs.
And let’s also review some of the campaign promises Mamdani made during the
mayoral campaign:
Bus rides on city buses were going to be free.
Daycare for kids in the city was going to be free.
Tuition at the City College of New York was going to be free.
City run grocery stores would be non-profit.
Rent freeze for 1,000,000 city rent stabilized apartments.
But in recent negotiation disclosures we found out that:
The city faces a $5.4 billion deficit in next year’s budget plans.
Unless the state legislature raises taxes on millionaires living in the city, Mamdani said he will raise property taxes on all properties in the city by more than 9%, he will raid the city’s rainy day fund, and he will raid the city’s employee benefit programs.
Recall that he campaigned on the promise that only rich people in the city would see their tax burden increase but now millions of residents and businesses will see their property taxes likely rise.
Given the budget situation, it is probably a good bet that all of the “free” stuff Mamdani promised the city residents is not going to happen anytime soon, not with a $5.4 billion budget shortfall. As an added insult, he also cancelled a plan to hire 5,000 more city police officers to combat crime.
And yet, in the face of no freebies, possibly more taxes for non-wealthy residents, and less police protection, Mamadani had the following ridiculous, useless programs planned for his first budget:
He plans to
Allocate over $10,000,000 for “racial equity” and diversity (DEI) programs and city payroll positions.
He wants to spend $10.2 million on the office of Racial Equity ($5.6 million) and the Commission on Racial Equity ($4.6 million).
This is a whopping 42% increase over the previous budget.
Mamdani plans over $835,000 for the Commission on Gender Equity.
Over $260,000 for a chief diversity officer at the Department of Education.
$649,000 for diversity leadership positions in the city fire department.
$6.6 million for the city’s “Climate Office.”
$19.7 million for climate and environmental justice.
$11.6 million for illegal immigrant services.
Over $118,000 for the fire department’s “chief diversity inclusion officer.”
Unbelievable. The city cannot execute basic services like garbage and snow removal, he is not going to fill 5,000 needed police officer positions, his campaign promises cannot be fulfilled because of a multi-billion revenue shortfall and he is going to go forward with funding the above positions that do nothing to help city residents and businesses.
The “Climate Office” is not going to get shelter for those freezing to death on the city streets. The “chief diversity inclusion officer” is not going to clear the mountains of uncollected garbage piled up in the city streets. “Environmental Justice” is not going to feed the hungry/food challenged households. The “Commission on Gender Equity” is not going to provide free bus rides and free day care.
Yes, New York City is still the leader in the race to bankruptcy court and Mamdani’s poor priorities, spending money on DEI programs the city cannot afford, are an insult to those city residents and businesses that are in need.
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If you agree that we need to deseat every member of Congress for their lack of success and accomplishment, then please consider going to the following petition link to help the cause:
https://www.change.org/p/deseat-congress-reset-freedom
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