Inspiration from abroad (New York City mayor policies)
Zohran Mamdani is just 32, but is already New York City mayor (he can’t run for President as although raised in the US by Indian parents from age 7, he was born in Uganda). But his policies are causing positive vibes across the country, there is a lot to be inspired by for our city mayors!
The election of America’s first Asian American Muslim mayor has upset a huge amount of the establishment around the world. If you’re concerned over Halal meat, know that it’s perfectly okay within the faith to be vegan or vegetarian, to comply with Compassion in World Farming’s concerns over unstunned meat (just avoid it and eat plants).
Let’s look at Mamdani’s policies that he hopes to enact before the end of his term. He pays for these mostly by switching emphasis. And has also proposed a pied-à-terre tax on expensive non-primary residences (millionaires and billionaires with second homes they don’t live in year-round pay a little extra).
City-owned affordable grocery stores
He has just launched the first of a chain of affordable public-owned grocery stores for people across the boroughs.
Retrofit fit local schools
He has proposed a Green Schools plan for New York, to retrofit schools with solar panels and green schoolyards.
A ban on dangerous e-bikes and e-scooters
He has also launched enforcement to ban dozens of online retailers that sell e-bikes and e-scooters, that have caused fatalities on New York’s streets.
Cheaper public transport
He has a plan to make city buses not just faster but free, and is also expanding bus (and bicycle) infrastructure.
Safer streets
Mamdani’s administration has already created an Office of Community Safety and Deputy Mayor for Community Safety, and also ensured that body-camera footage from critical incidents is released within 30 days, to avoid the controversy say of police incidents.
During his first few months, the city reported historically low levels of murders and shootings.
Help homeless people
He is helping to expand homeless shelters, including pet-friendly ones and ones for women fleeing abuse. Plus expanded shelter interventions for rough sleepers and ‘warm buses’ for emergency use.
Affordable housing
Build 200,000 affordable homes over 10 years (along with freezing rents), using a ‘block by block’ housing plan (most people rent in New York). He also wants these homes to build not on wildlife land but near public transit in urban areas.
He has also enforced laws to protect tenants from dodgy landlords. In the first 100 days of his administration, the city reported over $34 million in settlements, judgements and repairs to help tenants. And improvements to over 6000 apartments.
Universal free childcare
Mamdani says that childcare costs are a major burden on working families, so has begun expanding free childcare across all five boroughs. This enables families to earn more income.
