Budget crunch could push Mamdani into needed reforms

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani should embrace AI to make the city more efficient, writes columnist John Ketcham. ZUMAPRESS.com

Picture two children with the same abilities but different upbringings.

One is taught that if he wants something, he has to work for it.

The other gets more allowance each year, no matter how well or badly he behaves.

Which child will grow into a more resilient, capable adult?

Local governments are much the same.

When they’re forced to earn what they spend by growing their economies, attracting new residents and delivering value for tax dollars, they produce better results — while cities accustomed to bailouts become complacent.

New York learned this the hard way: Fifty years ago, the city essentially stood bankrupt .

Mayors over the preceding two decades