New York Governor Kathy Hochul has opened the door to new taxes to fund universal free childcare, standing beside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at a conference in Puerto Rico.

Speaking to reporters on Friday at the annual Somos conference in San Juan, Hochul said she would act if the need was severe enough. "When we have a severe need for something extraordinary, I am willing to do what has to happen," she said, calling her approach "thoughtful" and "pragmatic", not ideological.

Hochul, who campaigned for re-election promising no new taxes, said a "path forward" for funding childcare would be announced at her State of the State address in 2027. She did not say what taxes she might raise, or by how much: "There's no answers on it yet."

Mamdani, standing beside her, confirmed he still held his "tax the rich" beliefs. "I've always been clear about where I stand," he said. "I continue to hold those positions, and I'm also looking forward to continuing a productive working relationship with our governor to deliver for working people."

Childcare funded until 2028

Reporters pressed Hochul on how the city's universal childcare programme would be funded beyond 2028, when current funding runs out. She said she was open to adding taxes so the free programmes could last "for generations to come", and would "find a creative path" to fund them.

Hochul won re-election on Tuesday by about 20 points over Republican Bruce Blakeman. Mamdani has made free childcare a centrepiece of his administration, and state funding for it rose from $2.8 billion last year to $4.5 billion this year.

The remarks show how far Hochul has moved since taking office, when she opposed Mamdani's tax plans, and how the Democrats' midterm sweep has strengthened the party's left.