The wheels are coming off the socialist bus.<\/p>\n
Gov. Kathy Hochul slammed the brakes over supporting Zohran Mamdani\u2019s $700 million call for free city buses \u2014 casting doubt that one of the far-left mayor-elect\u2019s signature campaign promises has a smooth road ahead.<\/p>\n
Hochul, speaking during a press conference at the SOMOS political retreat<\/a> in Puerto Rico Saturday, argued she has already put vast sums of money into the perpetually cash-strapped MTA for major projects.<\/p>\n Gov. Kathy Hochul cast doubt over the weekend whether she\u2019d support Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani\u2019s free buses promise. Matthew McDermott<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re spending a lot of money, so I cannot set forth a plan right now that takes money out of a system that relies on the fares of the buses and the subways,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n \u201cBut can we find a path to make it more affordable for people who need help? Of course we can.\u201d<\/p>\n Mamdani avoided a straight answer over apparently being at-odds with Hochul on buses.<\/p>\n \u201cI continue to be excited at the work of making the slowest buses in America fast and free,\u201d he said Monday, during an unrelated press conference. \u201cAnd I appreciate the governor\u2019s continued partnership in delivering on that agenda of affordability.\u201d<\/p>\n The cautious bus route outlined by Hochul is the latest split the moderate Democratic governor has had with Mamdani, a democratic socialist, since she endorsed him in September.<\/p>\n Hochul happily rode Mamdani\u2019s coattails as he whipped up excitement among New Yorkers for his focus on affordability, but she has balked at much of his actual agenda \u2014 notably, taxing the rich to pay for $10 billion in freebies<\/a> such as no-cost childcare and buses without fares.<\/p>\n Mamdani needs the support of Hochul and lawmakers in Albany to achieve his socialist plans, including free buses. REUTERS<\/p>\n The governor\u2019s guarded approach could spell problems for Mamdani, as his grand plans largely require support from both Hochul and lawmakers in Albany.<\/p>\n The two top Dems in the state Legislature \u2014 House Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins \u2014 have been significantly more open<\/a> to helping Mamdani deliver his core campaign promises.<\/p>\n Mamdani\u2019s supporters have taken notice of Hochul\u2019s hesitancy and twice recently chanted \u201ctax the rich\u201d<\/a> at her, clearly irking the governor.<\/p>\n Mamdani\u2019s bus plan would cost at least $700 million a year. Helayne Seidman<\/p>\n