Business Daily Is this New York’s cost of living election?
24 snips
Nov 3, 2025 
Isabella Weber, an economist from UMass Amherst, discusses bold proposals for making New York City more affordable, such as free buses and universal childcare. Andrew Ryan from the Citizens Budget Commission highlights fiscal challenges and the city's budget constraints, questioning the feasibility of these ambitious plans. Michelle Fleury, BBC's North America correspondent, shares insights on business reactions to the mayoral race and Mamdani’s appeal. Together, they explore the complexities of addressing affordability in the city that never sleeps.
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Affordability Is The Central Crisis
- New York faces an affordability crisis pushing residents out across income levels.
- The mayoral race centers on competing ideas for making the city livable and affordable.
Mamdani's Rapid Rise
- Zoran Mamdani rose from relative obscurity to frontrunner with charismatic rallies and social media ads.
- He frames affordability as the city's defining issue and promises sweeping changes.
Skepticism From Rivals
- Critics call Mamdani's platform economically unrealistic and politically unworkable.
- Opponents argue his tax plans would be blocked by state authorities and lack funding details.