Lina Khan Maps Out Mamdani’s Mayoral Powers

Former Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan said she is looking
into ways for New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to use the full power
of his office by relying on lesser-known laws that already exist.
Khan, whom Mamdani recently appointed as co-chair of his transition team, told
Pod Save America host Tommy Vietor that she is studying how much authority the
mayor actually has before Mamdani officially takes office on January 1.
Khan is advising Mamdani on economic policy and hiring decisions. She said her
goal is to help the new administration achieve its “very ambitious agenda” to
make New York City more affordable.
“Because I worked at the FTC, I’m especially focused on figuring out all the
laws and powers the mayor can use on his own,” Khan said in the interview,
recorded last week and set to air on November 23.
Mamdani, a democratic socialist, campaigned on major proposals such as free
bus service across the city, free and universal childcare for children aged 6
months to 5 years, and a rent freeze on more than 1 million rent-stabilized
apartments. These plans will cost about $10 billion in new revenue, which
Mamdani, 34, says will mostly come from higher taxes on millionaires and
corporations.