From the New York Post: The wheels are coming off the socialist bus.
Gov. Kathy Hochul slammed the brakes on supporting Zohran Mamdani’s $700 million call for free city buses — casting doubt that one of the far-left mayor-elect’s signature campaign promises has a smooth road ahead.
Hochul, speaking during a press conference at the SOMOS political retreat in Puerto Rico on Saturday, argued she has already put vast sums of money into the perpetually cash-strapped MTA for major projects.
“We’re 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,” she said. “But can we find a path to make it more affordable for people who need help? Of course we can.”
Free bus service was one of Mamdani’s campaign promises, and many voters cited that as the reason they voted for him, along with his vow to raise taxes on the rich to pay for all his socialist freebies.
Hochul endorsed Mamdani and spoke at a huge rally with him ahead of the election. Now, she is publicly admitting that she doesn’t support many of his policies.
“Hochul happily rode Mamdani’s coattails as he whipped up excitement among New Yorkers for his focus on affordability, but she has balked at much of his actual agenda,” the New York Post wrote.
The Post also notes that Mamdani won’t be able to follow through on many of his promises without cooperation from state lawmakers and Hochul.
Meanwhile, at a separate press conference, Mamdani said, “I continue to be excited at the work of making the slowest buses in America fast and free. And I appreciate the governor’s continued partnership in delivering on that agenda of affordability.”
Wow… Hochul just threw Mamdani’s “free bus rides” promise under the bus! https://t.co/QMYIDtrgv5
— DMLNewsApp (@DMLNewsApp) November 10, 2025
Hochul also noted that Mamdani’s free childcare promise will cost a whopping $15 billion statewide.
Says wants to phase in universal childcare but it’ll cost $15B statewide — so she’s looking to phase it in first with certain age groups & “geographically” underserved communities.
Says all comes in face of fed cuts & existing costs ie Medicaid.
Promises a resolution by Jan.
— Bernadette Hogan (@bern_hogan) November 8, 2025
When asked if Mamdani will keep @NYPDPC, Hochul says she wouldn’t keep harping on it if she didn’t think the PC herself was interested in keeping the job.
— Bernadette Hogan (@bern_hogan) November 8, 2025
READ MORE from the New York Post.
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