SURPRISE! Zohran Mamdani’s Universal ‘Free’ Childcare Program Projected to Cost Billions More Than Planned * The Gateway Pundit * by Mike LaChance

Zohran Mamdani’s universal and ‘free’ childcare program in New York City is now being projected to cost billions more than originally planned.

Who could have predicted such a thing?

[snip]

In this case, no one should be surprised that the price tag keeps going up.

The New York Post reports:

Mamdani’s universal childcare plan will cost taxpayers billions more than planned as costs balloon: report

Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s universal childcare plan will cost 50% more than he advertised, according to a new study.

[snip]

“An estimated $8.7 to $9.3 billion would be needed annually to fund universal child care in New York City,” the report, which was released on Monday, states.

That’s $3 billion more than the mayor previously said his ambitious universal free childcare program would cost.

Hizzoner promised on the campaign trail that his plan to make childcare free for children from 6 weeks old to five years old regardless of family income would cost about $6 billion per year and be paid for by taxing the state’s wealthiest earners.

[snip]

Everyone has seen this movie before.

Only 50%? I’m honestly surprised. https://t.co/TVcVYvD3pY

— David Marcus (@BlueBoxDave) August 3, 2026

[snip]

When the program is finally implemented, will anyone be surprised if the cost has gone up five more times?

Of course not.

(*) Full article: https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/08/surprise-zohran-mamdanis-universal-free-childcare-program-projected/