New York City – July 9, 2025 —
Mayor Eric Adams is publicly pushing back against what he calls “empty promises” from his Democratic socialist challenger, who has proposed sweeping reforms, including free public bus service and a citywide rent freeze.
The mayor, speaking at a recent press conference in Brooklyn, criticized the proposals as “fiscally irresponsible” and said they would put undue strain on the city’s already-stretched budget. “New Yorkers deserve real solutions, not fantasy economics,” Adams said. “We cannot promise the world without explaining how we’ll pay for it.”
His comments were aimed at a rising political opponent, City Councilmember Inez Santiago, who has built a grassroots campaign around progressive ideals and expanded social programs. Santiago has called for fare-free MTA buses, a rent freeze for all city-regulated apartments, and greater investment in public housing — all part of what she calls a “dignity-first agenda” for working-class New Yorkers.
“Our city has the resources,” Santiago said during a recent rally in the Bronx. “What we lack is political will. Free transit and stable housing aren’t luxuries — they’re basic human rights.”
But Adams and his allies argue that Santiago’s plans are long on vision and short on funding. The mayor cited the billions in federal COVID relief funds that helped prop up city services over the past three years — funds that are now drying up. “The money isn’t there,” Adams said. “And passing the burden onto working taxpayers is not the answer.”
Adams, a former NYPD captain who has positioned himself as a moderate Democrat focused on public safety and economic recovery, has seen challenges from the city’s left flank grow louder in recent months. Rising rents, persistent homelessness, and frustration over policing tactics have created an opening for progressive challengers like Santiago.
Political observers say the clash between Adams and Santiago could define the tone of the 2025 mayoral race, especially as younger and more progressive voters demand structural change in how the city delivers services.
Still, Adams remains confident. “We’ve made progress by being practical,” he said. “This city won’t be saved by slogans — it will be saved by smart leadership, sound budgets, and policies that actually work.”
Santiago, undeterred, responded on social media: “The only thing more expensive than free buses is a status quo that keeps failing New Yorkers. We’re not backing down.”
With months to go before the primary, the debate over what New York can afford — and what it can’t afford to ignore — is only just beginning.
