Democrat Zohran Mamdani rode to winning New York’s mayoral election on a wave of enthusiasm, propelled by a platform that promised sweeping changes to affordability in one of the world’s most expensive cities.
Among the mayor-elect’s boldest ideas—free buses, expanded low-cost housing, and a reimagined social safety net—one pledge has attracted particular attention: creating a universal, no-cost child care system for every family, regardless of income, neighborhood, or work status.
It’s a promise that, if fulfilled, could reshape family life in a city that has become far from affordable for many Americans—and help stem the drain of people leaving New York for cheaper pastures…