NYC Mayoral Candidate Mamdani Plans Higher Taxes on Wealthy White Neighborhoods

Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, has proposed a controversial plan to shift the property tax burden from homeowners in lower-income, often minority neighborhoods, to wealthier homeowners in predominantly white and affluent areas, especially in Brooklyn. His policy memo argues that current property tax laws unfairly benefit these richer neighborhoods by capping assessment levels, leading to lower proportional taxes on high-value properties. Mamdani's plan includes lowering taxes for homeowners in areas like Jamaica and Brownsville, while increasing rates on expensive homes, and introduces protections such as circuit breakers for low- and moderate-income homeowners. These proposals are part of his broader agenda, which also includes city-owned grocery stores, defunding the police, freezing rent, and raising taxes on incomes above $1 million. The candidate has faced sharp criticism from Republicans and moderates, including calls for his denaturalization, while some billionaires have pledged significant funding to oppose his election. Despite the backlash, Mamdani secured a primary victory over former Governor Andrew Cuomo, with notable support from white progressive voters.