{"id":21157,"date":"2026-04-10T21:46:41","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T21:46:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/mamdanis-100th-day\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T21:46:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T21:46:41","slug":"mamdanis-100th-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/mamdanis-100th-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Mamdani’s 100th day"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Mayor<\/p>\n

IT\u2019S ZO TIME:<\/b> Mayor Zohran Mamdani crisscrossed the city on his 100th day in office, relishing a milestone in a mayoralty that for much of last year seemed like an impossibility.<\/p>\n

He started the day in Queens at a graduation ceremony for Department of Correction recruits, hopped over to the Bronx to celebrate trash cleanup efforts with a youth cheerleading squad and a garbage-can mascot, and then scooted to Harlem to perform home lead inspections.<\/p>\n

But Day 100 was also marked by a budding scandal. Blue Light News reported today<\/a> that Mamdani\u2019s Department of Probation commissioner allegedly had a prior romantic relationship with the agency\u2019s general counsel, and the chief investigator who reported it to the city\u2019s watchdog says she was fired the next day for blowing the whistle, according to court documents.<\/p>\n

“I take any allegations of misconduct incredibly seriously,” Mamdani said this morning<\/a>, with cheerleaders behind him. “New Yorkers should rest assured that there is an investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n

In April 2025, New Yorkers were still confused whether the \u201cZM\u201d they intended to vote for<\/a> went by Zellnor or Zohran: \u201cA woman came up to me at a forum and said she was so excited to vote for me, and then referred to me as Zellnor Mamdani,\u201d Mamdani told Playbook last year. (The other ZM in question is past mayoral hopeful and current state Sen. Zellnor Myrie.)<\/p>\n

Now in City Hall, the festival of 100 days is in full swing. The mayor has been on a media tour of sorts leading up to today, doling out interviews to the The New York Times<\/a>, POLITICO<\/a>, City & State<\/a>, THE CITY \u2014 and even a 20-minute sit-down with Al Jazeera<\/a> \u2014 as he reflects on the milestone.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first feeling is that of gratitude that I get to have 100 days as mayor,\u201d Mamdani told us<\/a>. \u201cThis is truly the dream of a lifetime, to have this position and to be trusted by New Yorkers to deliver on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The ritual significance of 100 Days \u2014 highlighted by Mamdani\u2019s advance team, which places a flippable day-counter<\/a> in the background of his press conferences \u2014 has also led to some blunt evaluations.<\/p>\n

The New York Post \u2014 which seemingly was not<\/i> given an interview \u2014 marked the day with a laundry list of ways<\/a> the mayor has backtracked on the lefty (and lofty) promises he made on the trail. The tabloid even got the president to weigh in<\/a> on Mamdani\u2019s milestone: \u201cGotta lower taxes or everyone\u2019s leaving. It\u2019s very simple,\u201d President Donald Trump said.<\/p>\n

The New York Times more soberly analyzed the status of Mamdani\u2019s campaign promises<\/a>: free buses? (stalled); rent freeze? (TBD); free child care? (on track); Department of Community Safety? (try Office<\/i> of Community Safety); city-owned grocery stores? (unstarted); taxing the rich? (stalled); fighting for an expanded rental assistance program? (reversed). We\u2019re also tacking on one more to the list: relinquishing mayoral control of city schools (abandoned).\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

But, according to his own accounting, the mayor still has lots of time to fulfill his biggest promises \u2014 frozen rent, free buses and free child care \u2014 possibly even until 2034. Earlier this week, we asked him if he thinks he has one or two terms to complete those three goals.<\/p>\n

\u201cInshallah, it\u2019s two terms,\u201d he said. \u2014 Jason Beeferman<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

From the Capitol<\/h3>\n

\"CMS<\/p>\n

LETTER TO CMS: <\/b>The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services admitted Friday that its analysis of fraud in New York\u2019s Medicaid program included errors, according to reports from the Associated Press<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The admission comes in response to a 78-page letter<\/a> Gov. Kathy Hochul\u2019s administration sent to the federal agency criticizing its miscalculation of state Medicaid data.<\/p>\n

State officials rejected claims from CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz that the state\u2019s $124 billion Medicaid program is riddled with fraud, waste, and abuse. In a lengthy response shared with Playbook last night, the state Department of Health accused the federal government of conflating increasing Medicaid costs as proof of foul play.<\/p>\n

The dispute reflects a broader tension over how aggressively the federal government should police state Medicaid programs as costs rise. CMS has flagged several high-cost areas \u2014 including personal care, behavioral health and transportation \u2014 as particularly susceptible to fraud. But the agency\u2019s glaring miscalculation in New York represents a hit to the Trump administration\u2019s \u201cfraud-busting\u201d campaign.<\/p>\n

\u201cCMS wildly overstates utilization in areas like personal care. CMS also appears to conflate critical investments with fraud, misconstruing New York’s historic commitment to expanding access to behavioral health,\u201d state Health Department spokesperson Cadence Acquaviva said in a statement to Playbook.<\/p>\n

READ MORE from Blue Light News Pro\u2019s Katelyn Cordero here.<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

100-FOOT RULE REPEAL:<\/b> Hochul is signing a chapter amendment<\/a> today to delay implementation of the so-called 100-foot rule repeal for a year.<\/p>\n

For decades, New York required ratepayers to subsidize gas hookups for new residential buildings. If a new building was within 100 feet of a gas main line, utilities would connect the building and pass the cost onto other consumers.<\/p>\n

In 2021, extending gas service to new residential customers cost ratepayers about $500 million, according to an analysis by the Public Utility Law Project of New York<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have made affordability a top priority and doing away with this 40-year-old subsidy that has outlived its purpose will help with that,\u201d Hochul said in a statement last December when she signed the legislation.<\/p>\n

Repealing the 100-foot rule was a priority for environmental advocates last session. The provision was originally included in the NY HEAT Act<\/a>, legislation that aimed to transition the state off of gas infrastructure. That bill would have amended gas utilities\u2019 \u201cobligation to service\u201d and put a 6 percent income cap on utility bills for low-income customers. But when it became clear the bill would not become law, advocates spun out the 100-foot rule provision as a standalone bill that had the support to make it across the finish line. \u2014 Mona Zhang<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

FROM CITY HALL<\/h3>\n

\"Mayor<\/p>\n

MORE DOIMAGE CONTROL: <\/b>Mamdani is scrambling to shore up support for a key appointment whose fate rests with the New York City Council \u2014 another twist in the mounting tensions between the mayor and the body of lawmakers meant to be a check on his power, POLITICO Pro reports<\/a> this afternoon.<\/p>\n

Mamdani\u2019s team has been working behind the scenes to set up one-on-one meetings between Council members and his pick to lead the Department of Investigation, Nadia Shihata, according to four people with knowledge of the outreach granted anonymity to discuss private conversations.<\/p>\n

The hope is the meetings will assuage lawmakers\u2019 concerns about her past political support<\/a> for the mayor and a longstanding social relationship with Mamdani\u2019s top legal adviser.<\/p>\n

The administration\u2019s overtures \u2014 which come just days before lawmakers are set to vote on the nomination next week \u2014 indicated to at least one Council member that the mayor and his staff are worried about Shihata\u2019s path to confirmation for the DOI commissioner post.<\/p>\n

\u201cOtherwise they don\u2019t call,\u201d said Council member Gale Brewer, who was among at least four lawmakers who received offers to meet with Shihata.<\/p>\n

The sudden obstacle for Shihata\u2019s nomination lands in Mamdani\u2019s lap amid a broader and increasingly pitched<\/a> budget feud between Mamdani and Council Speaker Julie Menin, as the mayor grapples with a $5.4 billion funding gap with few palatable options to close it.<\/p>\n

The revelations about the tug-of-war over Shihata also come as POLITICO’s scoop<\/a> about the DOI probe into Mamdani\u2019s Department of Probation commissioner put a damper over what the mayor had hoped would be a celebratory weekend to mark his 100th day in office.<\/p>\n

Read the story from Chris Sommerfeldt and Joe Anuta in Blue Light News Pro<\/i><\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n

FROM THE BALKANS<\/h3>\n

\"Former<\/p>\n

THE ADAMS OF ALBANIA:<\/b> Former Mayor Eric Adams is now a citizen of Albania.<\/p>\n

His spokesperson Todd Shapiro confirmed the former mayor received an \u201chonorary Albanian citizenship\u201d and said the mayor thanks the country\u2019s prime minister, Edi Rama, for the distinction.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe decision by the Republic of Albania to grant Mayor Adams citizenship reflects that enduring relationship and mutual respect,\u201d Shapiro said. \u201cLeaders around the world \u2014 including mayors and presidents \u2014 have historically been recognized with honorary or dual citizenships as a symbol of international partnership and shared values.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adams was indicted on foreign bribery charges \u2014 which he denies \u2014 during his time as mayor, but the charges were dismissed after Trump\u2019s Department of Justice intervened.<\/p>\n

In an interview with Fox News<\/a> that aired last week, Adams reflected on his life as a private citizen and said there\u2019s \u201ca great world out there waiting for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause of my time as mayor, I spent a lot of time inviting foreign dignitaries to the city,\u201d he said. \u201cNow all of that has turned into some good communications and relationships.\u201d \u2014 Jason Beeferman<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL<\/h3>\n

\"Jack<\/p>\n

YOU\u2019VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME: <\/b>Rev. Al Sharpton isn\u2019t ruling out an endorsement for Jack Schlossberg in the crowded Democratic primary for NY-12.<\/p>\n

Schlossberg and Sharpton met for breakfast last week where they talked about the Kennedy family, politics and faith \u2014 but not an endorsement, Page Six reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told him that what Trump is doing is trying to overturn everything his grandfather, President John Kennedy started in the early 1960s,\u201d Sharpton wrote on social media<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s in Jack\u2019s blood to fight this backlash.\u201d<\/p>\n

Playbook caught up briefly yesterday with Sharpton on the second day of his National Action Network conference, where he reemphasized that Schlossberg didn\u2019t ask for an endorsement in the race and their meeting was to get to know each other.<\/p>\n

When asked if he would endorse Schlossberg, Sharpton said it isn\u2019t off the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like guys that show up,\u201d Sharpton said. \u201cNone of his opponents have.\u201d<\/p>\n

Schlossberg spoke at the conference Wednesday<\/a>, with Sharpton introducing him as a \u201cnew friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are doing so much more than anyone that I know to advance the cause of civil rights,\u201d Schlossberg said as he stood on stage next to the reverend. \u201cYou\u2019ve been doing it my whole lifetime. You did it a whole lifetime before I was born, and you\u2019re still doing it. It just gives us all \u2014 young people especially \u2014 someone to look up to, an example to learn from.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Sharpton endorsement would be a prominent boost for Schlossberg, who already has former Speaker Nancy Pelosi\u2019s backing \u2014 and could help further legitimize his candidacy beyond his celebrity. Some have criticized his lack of political experience compared to opponents like state Assemblymembers Micah Lasher and Alex Bores. Despite that, sparse polling has shown Schlossberg with a lead. \u2014 Madison Fernandez<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

IN OTHER NEWS<\/h3>\n

\u2014 LANDER SAYS NO TO ISRAELI AID:<\/b> Congressional candidate Brad Lander now says he opposes all aid to Israel, including for its missile defense system, as he seeks to represent NY-10. (The Forward<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\u2014 GREEN COSTS BITE: <\/b>New York City business leaders are urging the state to scale back parts of its climate law, saying compliance costs are becoming unsustainable. (CBS News<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\u2014 ICE COLD: <\/b>A Poughkeepsie landlord is facing charges after threatening tenants with immigration enforcement officials. (Times Union<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\u2014 REP. ENGEL PASSES: <\/b>Eliot Engel, who represented areas of the Bronx and Westchester in Congress for over 30 years, has passed away at age 79. (LoHud<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Missed this morning\u2019s New York Playbook? We forgive you. <\/b>Read it here<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

IT\u2019S ZO TIME: Mayor Zohran Mamdani crisscrossed the city on his 100th day in office, relishing a milestone in a mayoralty that for much of last year seemed like an impossibility. He started the day in Queens at a graduation ceremony for Department of Correction recruits, hopped over to the Bronx to celebrate trash cleanup […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":21158,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21157","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics"],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21157","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21157"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21157\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21158"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21157"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21157"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21157"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}