Mayor Zohran Mamdani is slashing $1.3 billion from his own campaign pledges to bridge a $5.4 billion budget deficit by July 1. The cuts target a delayed state mandate for smaller class sizes and reduced costs from a controversial rental assistance program he once backed. These savings, unveiled quietly by the administration, push the total cuts towards $1.7 billion, forcing Mamdani to seek state tax hikes and aid to avoid service reductions.

The administration claims the $1.3 billion comes from delaying a class-size mandate and lowering expenses tied to the CityFHEPS rental program, which faces a state court appeal. Critics, including City Council Speaker Julie Menin, urge abandoning the appeal to protect vulnerable residents.