Like any New York City mayor, Zohran Mamdani is going to need Albany’s help.

From free buses and child care to control of city schools, Mamdani will need legislation to achieve cornerstones of his agenda. That means the Democratic socialist mayor will need help from moderate Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and a Democrat-led State Legislature that philosophically resides between the two.

It sets up what has been the classic internal struggle for Democrats, especially during the last decade, over just how progressive the party should be.

Top lawmakers said they share many of the same broad goals as Mamdani, such as making the city more affordable for working families. The tension will center on how to pay for things they all generally support, such as free child care.

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