Mamdani claims NYC is broke as his office reportedly plans to blow $10 million to hire woke activists

New York City’s democratic socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, is reportedly preparing to hire a slew of additional staffers who could cost taxpayers $10 million, after previously claiming the city was facing a critical budget deficit.

The New York Post reported Wednesday that Mamdani plans to hire at least 79 more workers to support his “pet projects.”

‘Taxpayers who are already struggling should not be bankrolling useless woke jobs for socialists who can’t get real jobs in the real world.’

One of those positions includes a senior adviser for enforcement in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice. This individual would be responsible for “establishing policy vision and direction related to Enforcement” and is expected to “manage and coordinate across the assigned agencies, offices, and boards.” The job posting describes the department as advancing “policies that promote a more equitable and vibrant New York City.” The candidate could earn up to $200,000 annually.

Mamdani is also seeking to hire two temporary World Cup managers to help “lead the planning and delivery of inclusive, community-based public programming.” The salaries listed for both positions, a director of NYC World Cup Activations and a project manager for NYC World Cup programming, are over $100,000.

Additionally, the mayor’s office is seeking an adviser for legislative advocacy, with a salary of up to $155,000.

Mamdani has pledged to work toward rolling out so-called free universal child care to New York City parents. The city is currently hiring a senior project manager who could earn up to $150,000 a year to lead that initiative.

RELATED: Socialist Mamdani rolls out costly ‘free’ child care program to NYC workers — after crying financial crisis

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

A senior adviser for fast and free buses, who could earn $180,000 a year, will have “latitude to exercise a wide degree of authority” for the “coordination, implementation, and successful completion of any projects related to the Fast and Free Buses.”

Last month, the Post reported that Mamdani’s Office of Mass Engagement was seeking to fill over a dozen positions the news outlet described as “catered to activists.” Those positions would reportedly cost taxpayers approximately $2 million.

The Post estimated that if Mamdani’s office filled all positions, the city’s payroll would increase by 20% compared to the former Mayor Eric Adams’ administration.

RELATED: Mamdani made big promises to cut the budget — here’s the embarrassing result so far

Zohran Mamdani. Theodore Parisienne/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service/Getty Images

“At best, he’s hypocritically spending money we don’t have on his supporters,” a Democratic operative told the Post. “At worst, he is breaking the law by using taxpayer dollars for political benefit.”

“City Hall now needs to be super clear about why these hires are needed and how they’re chosen,” the individual added.

A second Democratic insider told the Post, “Someone should remind the mayor that the city’s budget is not like his daddy’s credit card.”

“Taxpayers who are already struggling should not be bankrolling useless woke jobs for socialists who can’t get real jobs in the real world,” the second operative said.

Mamdani previously claimed the city faced a $12 billion budget deficit after Adams left office. He has since stated that the deficit has been reduced to $5.4 billion. Adams has denied Mamdani’s claims, insisting that he left over $8 billion in reserves.

Mamdani’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

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