The 112th mayor came into office with a big smile and even bigger plans — those aimed at making the city more affordable for every resident, but especially working-class New Yorkers. 

“I promise you this: If you are a New Yorker, I am your mayor,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani said during his inauguration. 

What You Need To Know

The 112th mayor came into office with a big smile and even bigger plans — those aimed at making the city more affordable for every resident, but especially working-class New Yorkers

Mamdani’s affordability agenda gained momentum quickly, seeing a big return when he partnered with Gov. Kathy Hochul to provide child care for 2-year-olds

But the new era quickly met its first challenge: snow and the freezing cold

Mamdani’s big ideas hit a wall quickly when he realized the financial straits the city was in, with the city facing a $5 billion budget hole

And so from day one, Mamdani got to work. 

“Today on this day, first day of this administration, when so many rent payments are due, we will not wait to deliver action,” he said. 

From filing a lawsuit against a landlord with thousands of building violations to filling a bump on the Williamsburg Bridge. 

“Countless New Yorkers reaching out, whether it be in person, from their bike, whether it be on social media, are making it clear that they are tired of obstacles blocking their way,” said Mamdani on Jan. 6. 

No problem was off the table if it meant saving New Yorkers money. Projects like reviving the protected bike lanes on McGuiness Boulevard became a priority.

“My commissioner, Mike Flynn, will lead the DOT in installing parking-protected bike lanes along the entirety of McGuiness Boulevard from Meeker Avenue to the Pulaski Bridge,” said Mamdani on Jan. 3.  

Mamdani’s affordability agenda gained momentum quickly, seeing a big return when he partnered with Gov. Kathy Hochul to provide child care for 2-year-olds. 

“You’re looking at someone who wants to get things done, and I will be a willing partner to that,” said Hochul at a press conference on Jan. 8.

“I want to express how proud I am of this victory we have achieved together,” said the mayor.

But the new era quickly met its first challenge: snow and the freezing cold.

“This weekend is going to be cold, it’s going to be windy and above all else it’s going to be a weekend where your city is prepared,” said Mamdani at the end of January. 

Some parts of the city saw nearly a foot of snowfall. Cars and sidewalks were buried for weeks as a cold snap moved in and complicated operations.

The freezing temperatures led to 36 New Yorkers dying, 20 of whom were indoors and 16 were outdoors. 

“Each of these lives lost is a tragedy. My heart was with the family of those mourning their loved ones. We are continuing to do everything in our power to get every New Yorker into a shelter, where they will be warm,” said the Mayor on Feb. 2.  

Mamdani took the losses as a lesson learned, refining the city’s response. When a blizzard dumped more than a foot and a half of snow on the city the following month, additional sanitation and homeless outreach workers were at the ready. 

The resources paid off, with no reported deaths and city streets being cleared quickly despite some issues on Staten Island. Mamdani, a former public high school student, used the blizzard to give New York City students a break. 

“We’ve got a full snow day tomorrow. No online school. No remote learning. A full classic snow day,” said the mayor on Feb. 22.  

But the challenges didn’t end there. Mamdani’s big ideas hit a wall quickly when he realized the financial straits the city was in. 

Facing a $5 billion hole, Mamdani has had to make tough decisions. He announced his plan for filling the gap, which includes raising taxes and cutting funds. 

“My position: tax the rich. Make sure the wealthiest New Yorkers and most profitable corporations pay their fair share,” said the mayor in an April 2 social media video. “We will solve the budget crisis, but I’m not going to let it come at your expense.” 

But the past 100 days haven’t all been doom-and-gloom; there have been some light moments. Once Astoria residents, Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, became Upper East Siders when they officially moved to Gracie Mansion. 

Everyone from former mayors Fiorello La Guardia to Rudy Giuliani and Eric Adams have lived in the historic home. 

Mamdani said there is one thing he changed about the place. 

“One thing that we will change is we will be installing a few bidets into Gracie Mansion. That’s an aspirational hope. But let’s see if we can get it done,” the mayor said on Jan. 12.