New York Mayor‑Elect Mamdani’s Halal Cart License Reform Tied to Broader Affordability Agenda

New York Mayor‑Elect Mamdani’s Halal Cart License Reform Tied to Broader Affordability Agenda
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New York City mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani has proposed changes to the city’s halal cart licensing system as part of a wider strategy to improve affordability and support small business ownership, according to analysis of his policy priorities published on Jacobin.com

Under the current system, halal cart licenses — necessary for vendors selling popular street food like chicken‑and‑rice — have become costly assets traded on the open market, with some vendors paying tens of thousands of dollars to obtain access through third‑party holders rather than directly from city authorities. Advocates say this drives up operating costs and limits profit margins for immigrant vendors.

Mamdani’s proposal would aim to “decommodify” these licenses by bringing ownership into the hands of the vendors who actually operate the carts, supporters say. Reforming ownership structures could reduce costs for vendors and potentially lower retail prices for consumers, contributing to broader affordability efforts.

Analysts note the potential of such reforms to dovetail with cooperative and employee‑ownership models, which research shows can bolster economic stability and worker wealth.

The halal cart policy is part of Mamdani’s campaign focus on tackling the high cost of living in New York City, a central theme of his platform.