PETITION TO THE GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK STATE, KATHY HOCHUL, REGARDING MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI

We, residents of New York City, respectfully request that the Governor of New York State, Hon. Kathy Hochul, initiate a formal review of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s conduct and administration.

Recent official actions, policy initiatives, public statements, and widely reported controversies have raised significant concerns among many New Yorkers regarding Mayor Mamdani’s judgment, priorities, and ability to provide balanced leadership for a city as diverse and complex as New York.

Among these concerns are:

• Support for a 6% increase in New York City water and sewer rates, resulting in higher utility costs for homeowners, co-op owners, landlords, and, ultimately, many renters already facing rising living expenses.

• Announcement of the “Block by Block” housing plan, including proposals that could facilitate the transfer of troubled residential properties from private ownership to nonprofit organizations, housing cooperatives, or tenant-controlled entities, raising concerns regarding property rights, private investment, and the long-term stability of New York City's housing market.

• Support for divestment initiatives targeting companies connected to Israel, which critics warn could reduce investment returns for New York City pension funds and potentially affect retirees, taxpayers, and the long-term financial stability of those funds.

• Public calls to terminate New York City's support for the Cornell Tech–Technion partnership, potentially undermining academic cooperation, technological innovation, research investment, and New York City's position as a global center of higher education and advanced technology.

• Reduction of School Safety Agent positions at a time when concerns regarding violence and security in public schools remain a significant issue for many parents, students, and educators.

• Delays and uncertainty surrounding the implementation and coordination of newly created public-safety structures, raising concerns regarding their effectiveness and their ability to work cooperatively with existing law-enforcement agencies.

• The sweeping cancellation of numerous executive orders issued by the prior administration without individualized review, creating concerns regarding continuity of governance, public accountability, and the unintended elimination of important city policies.

• Controversies involving relations with major New York City communities, including criticism from Puerto Rican community leaders regarding the administration’s handling of longstanding civic traditions and community engagement.

• A pattern of actions and public statements concerning the State of Israel and issues affecting New York City's Jewish community, including:

— Long-standing support for BDS and anti-Zionist positions;

— Public refusal to define Israel as a Jewish state;

— Defense of the slogan “Globalize the Intifada,” which many New Yorkers associate with violence and terrorism;

— Revocation of the IHRA definition of antisemitism and replacement with the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism;

— Revocation of executive policies intended to prevent New York City agencies from participating in or supporting boycotts of Israel;

— Public commemoration of Nakba Day through official mayoral channels while declining to participate in the 2026 Israel Day Parade;

— Public opposition to continued support for the Cornell Tech–Technion partnership because of Technion’s relationship with the State of Israel;

— Reports of a meeting with Mohammed Khalil, whose public positions have been widely criticized.

We believe that the pattern of decisions, policies, and public actions described above raises serious questions regarding Mayor Mamdani’s judgment, priorities, and ability to uphold the standards of responsibility, impartiality, and leadership expected from the office of Mayor of New York City.

These concerns are not isolated incidents. Rather, they reflect a broader pattern that has generated significant public debate and contributed to declining confidence among many residents.

For these reasons, we respectfully urge the Governor to undertake an appropriate state-level review of Mayor Mamdani’s conduct and administration. We hope that, based upon the findings of such a review, state authorities will determine whether Mayor Mamdani continues to meet the expected standards of the office he holds.

New Yorkers deserve leadership that strengthens public trust, protects the interests of all communities, and governs in the best interests of the City of New York as a whole.