Squawk Pod NYC Mayor Mamdani & $120 Million for Animal Health 1/28/26
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Jan 28, 2026 
Zohran Mamdani, New York’s mayor focused on budgeting, taxes, public services, and immigration policy. Sandy Weill, former Citigroup CEO turned philanthropist who funded veterinary research. They discuss taxing the wealthy, closing a $12 billion city shortfall, preparing for ICE activity, investing in transit and services, and a $120M gift to advance animal-to-human medical research.
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Honest Budgeting Reveals Structural Shortfall
- Zohran K. Mamdani says a $12 billion deficit stems from fiscal mismanagement and shifted state costs.
- He argues honest budgeting and changing state and wealthy-resident revenue shares are necessary to fix it.
Use Revenue And Efficiency Together
- Mamdani recommends pursuing savings, efficiency, and a 2% tax hike on millionaires to close gaps.
- He urges combining revenue increases with service improvements and state fiscal renegotiation.
Capital Flight Fears Often Exaggerated
- Mamdani notes capital flight fears are overstated; millionaire counts rose after 2021 tax increases.
- He links higher revenue to improving public services that retain residents and workers.