NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) — Everything can change in a New York minute. Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has revealed his “first order of business” for when he takes office on Jan. 1.
Mamdani touched on his official partnership with NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch to his thoughts on Democratic Socialist Chi Ossé potentially challenging House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in an exclusive interview with PIX11 News.
But the 34-year-old soon-to-be mayor of New York City made it clear what his vision is for when he steps into City Hall on day one.
“The first order of business will, frankly, be the Rent Guidelines Board and freezing the rent for more than 2 million rent-stabilized tenants,” Mamdani said.
The Democratic Socialist ran his winning campaign on three big ideas: freezing rent, “fast and free” buses and universal child care. Mamdani has set his sights on the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB).
The RGB is comprised of nine mayor-appointed representatives of tenants, landlords and the public.
Of the nine-member board, two members have terms expiring during Mamdani’s first term, whom he can replace. The mayor can replace the chair at any point.
The other six members’ terms have already expired, meaning they can be replaced at any time by Mayor Eric Adams — or Mamdani when he takes office. If he wanted to, Adams could replace all six with new members, each with a one- to four-year term.
Mamdani doesn’t believe it will be much of an issue.
“I think [Adams] will have a tough time trying to stymie the momentum that we have as a campaign, and as a movement,” Mamdani said about the possibility of new appointments from the outgoing mayor.
“I think [new appointments are] an obstacle, but it’s one that I think we can overcome,” Mamdani said.
Spencer Gustafson is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered New York state and city news since 2023. See more of his work here.
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