Marketplace All-in-One New year, new mayor, New York
Jan 9, 2026
Bridget Bergen, a WNYC/Gothamist reporter specializing in NYC politics, joins to discuss Mayor Zohran Mamdani's impactful initiatives. They delve into Mamdani's ambitious plans for affordability, including a proposal for free child care for two-year-olds. The conversation highlights early challenges with the business community, his stance against junk fees, and navigating federal tensions over child-care funding. They also advocate for daydreaming more in 2026, emphasizing a balance between personal well-being and civic engagement.
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Inauguration Day Cocktail Moment
- Bridget Bergen described celebrating New Year's while covering Mamdani's inauguration and drinking a Cure Royale.
- She noted the cocktail turned pink rather than layering, illustrating the hectic inauguration day.
New Mayor As A National Test Case
- Zohran Mamdani's inauguration positioned him as a national face of the progressive movement.
- His team consciously signaled that New York's policy experiments could be model for other cities and the nation.
Phased Universal Childcare Plan
- Mamdani and Governor Hochul announced a phased plan to expand universal child care starting with '2Care' for two-year-olds.
- The plan depends on state budget approval and aims to extend eventually down to infants as young as six months.