What happened last week?
New Yorkers to vote on five proposals for city efficiency — Mayor Mamdani’s newly-created Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE) approved five ballot proposals that New Yorkers will vote on this fall. They include measures on expanding outdoor dining permits and speeding up bike lane construction.
Mamdani–Netanyahu standoff escalates — On July 21, Mayor Mamdani described Benjamin Netanyahu as a war criminal, saying that the Zionist leader should be arrested for crimes against humanity — but that the city lacks the power to do so. Netanyahu then vowed to visit New York in September and falsely claimed that Mamdani celebrated the events of October 7. The architect of the ongoing genocide in Gaza also claimed Mamdani is “fomenting hate”.
Pied-à-terre tax notices go out — The Department of Finance began notifying property owners of the new surcharge on luxury second homes. It's a major step in Mayor Mamdani’s plan to increase taxes on the wealthy to fund city services.
Mamdani signed two new executive orders — Executive Order 18 aims to make it easier to run a small business by cutting red tape and speeding up permitting and licensing. Executive Order 19 requires city vehicles to carry tech that blocks speeding, and all city trucks to have turn alerts warning pedestrians. See the full list of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s executive orders so far.
Fordham Road bus lanes break ground — Mayor Mamdani broke ground on offset bus lanes along Fordham Road in the Bronx. The improved infrastructure intends to speed up commutes for 130,000 daily riders. The city says similar redesigns have raised bus speeds up to 28% and cut injuries up to 30%.
Removing lead from child care centers — Mayor Mamdani and NYCHA announced a $10.2 million investment to permanently remove lead paint from dozens of daycares on NYCHA campuses. Children suffered lead poisoning at three centers in 2024 — but former mayor Eric Adams delayed citywide NYCHA daycare testing, which Mamdani completed this year.
Independent reads
Lessons for Democrats — Carlos Greaves argues that Mamdani’s popularity comes down to one thing: he actually tries things, from transformative changes like free childcare to small wins like overnight soccer field lighting. Greaves says voters reward a politician who acts rather than just talks, even if his plans don’t always work out.
Critique from the left — Mamdani pledged to arrest Netanyahu, but now says he cannot. Peter Coffin argues this fits a wider pattern of left-wing politicians dressing up broken promises as proof they still care, rather than admitting they never had the power to deliver. Coffin, who agrees Netanyahu is a war criminal, warns that this ultimately weakens the left’s position.
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Mamdani Bulletin tracks the administration’s progress.
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