NYS Capital — For the first time as the Mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani addressed New York State lawmakers on “Tin Cup Day” at the New York State Capital on Wednesday.

“I’ve spoken before about the new era we are working to usher in in New York City, one where every person across the five boroughs can afford a dignified life,” Mamdani told lawmakers before questioning. “But that new era cannot stop at the city limits. It must extend the roughly 150 miles between New York City and Albany as well.”

“Zohran’s second time back in the building, right?” Asm Brian Cunningham (D-Brooklyn). “He came for the State of the State, and now he’s back for Tin Cup day, which is a totally different dynamic. I think State of the State was an opportunity to celebrate being back now was to answer tough questions. I think what we saw today was a Mayor who now has a responsibility and weight of an entire City, an agenda he’s put forward about affordability.”

Mamdani praised Governor Kathy Hochul for the support in regards to the universal childcare funding, but condemned previous NYC Mayors and Governors for the way they’ve handled finances, and provided funding for New York City.

“For four years, former Mayor Adams engaged in gross fiscal mismanagement. Budget gaps are twice as large as what he said they would be to the tune of billions of dollars. He ignored projections that indicated major expenses would only rise in the years to come, leaving an enormous hole in our budget,” Mamdani said.

He said Governor Cuomo approached New York City as a liability instead of an “economic powerhouse”.

“No one gives more and gets less in return than New York City,” he said, “New York City contributes 54.5% of state revenue, but only receives 40.5% in return. In fiscal year 2022, we contributed $21 billion more than we received back…In 2010, the state eliminated AIM revenue sharing to New York City, depriving the city of at least $4.8 billion over 16 years. We are the only eligible municipality in our state that receives nothing. That imbalance has real world consequences.”

Mamdani is asking for a 2 percent raise in personal income taxes to the top one percent of New York City residents, arguing someone making $1 million can afford $20,000 in more taxes, and that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would deliver federal tax cuts to more than make up for that sum.

Lawmakers then had the opportunity to question Mamdani’s proposals on all of the above. Lawmakers from other cities shared concerns that if New York City received more money, they would receive less. Many asked about his proposal to increase taxes on the wealthy, and the impact it could have not just on New York City, but the rest of the State as well. Others questioned Mamdani’s actions in addressing antisemitism.

“Once the honeymoon is over, which I think you’ve just felt, you may well prefer three minutes to 10,” State Senator John Liu, Chairman of New York City Education Committee ( D ), told Mamdani at one point. “Speaking of which, you know, it’s mid-February, so I will respectfully say that the time for blaming past Mayors and Governors is passed. We need to hear the details of your plan. And it’s good to hear your revenue proposals.”

CBS6 put together a brief compilation of some of the interactions Mamdani had with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers:

Stay tuned for more lawmaker reaction and analysis.