WORLD WORLDWIDE US USA - NEW YORK NY - NEW YORK CITY NYC - THE CITY SCOOP - Rent freeze in ‘26? Looks that way.

 

[thecity.nyc/home]

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026

Today's SCOOP is brought to you by our members.

Dear New Yorkers,

If the governor won’t raise taxes on the richest people and companies, Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he has no choice: He’ll have to raise property taxes in the city.

That’s the thinking behind a proposal he put out yesterday as a “last resort” option to close an estimated $5.4 billion budget gap.

Under his proposal, which requires City Council approval, the tax rate for all properties would increase by 9.5%.

He said it’s a “more harmful path” than making the richest New Yorkers pay 2 percentage points more in taxes, which requires state approval.

And: Mamdani now has the votes for a rent freeze — see below for more on that.

Weather ☔

Rain throughout the day with a high near 45.

MTA 🚇

In Brooklyn, no Manhattan-bound F trains between Avenue P and Avenue I. Find all the MTA’s planned changes and the latest delays here.

Alternate side parking 🚙

It’s suspended today, Feb. 18, for Ash Wednesday and Losar.

By the way…

The weather will be warmer, but grab your umbrella — the forecast predicts rain for the rest of the week.

Our Other Top Stories

An unexpected resignation on the Rent Guidelines Board has cleared the way for Mamdani to appoint a majority of his people to the key group who decide rent levels for more than a million regulated apartments. What does it mean? New York may see a rent freeze even sooner than previously thought. As the mayor and governor spar over taxes, we look at a central question: Would increases to the state’s already high taxes send the wealthiest residents and biggest businesses to other states? Or would they just be accepted as part of doing business in the financial capital of the global economy? It’s a historic moment for Rikers Island. As a new remediation manager and corrections commissioner take charge of the city’s jail system — and its rising population, rampant violence, broken disciplinary system and toxic culture — we talked to experts about how the place can finally be fixed. The courts have ordered the Trump administration to disperse millions to the critical Gateway infrastructure project under the Hudson River. But officials say it’s not enough to get back to work.

Things To Do

Here’s what’s going on around the city this week.

Wednesday, Feb. 18: Food studies expert Marion Nestle discusses her new book, “What to Eat Now,” about navigating the American supermarket. Free at 6:30 p.m. at the National Arts Club. Register here.  Wednesday, Feb. 18: The Museum at FIT has a new exhibit for fashion lovers called “Art X Fashion,” featuring over 140 objects that explore the relationship between fashion and fine art centered on the question: “Is fashion art?” Free, opens at 12 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19: Voices of a People’s History presents an evening of music and readings inspired by the new book “Black History Is For Everyone” by New York Public Library educator Brian Jones on the Upper West Side. Free, at 7:30 p.m.

THE KICKER: Astoria, the turkey named after where she was first spotted in Queens, has made her way to Manhattan and is under the care of three self-appointed guardians.

Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Wednesday.

Love,

THE CITY

PS. Love THE CITY? Our nonprofit newsroom is powered by readers like you. Donate here.

Want to view Scoop in your web browser? Click here.

THE CITY's work is made possible, in part, through the support of our sponsors. Interested in becoming a sponsor of THE CITY? Contact us here.  Copyright © 2025 THE CITY, All rights reserved.