[Source](https://justthenews.com/government/state-houses/hochul-says-new-yorks-budget-cannot-cover-mamdanis-free-buses) > New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says the state's budget cannot cover fellow Democrat and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's proposed free buses program. > Hochul, who endorsed Mamdani and celebrated his victory in the mayoral race last week, said at a political conference in Puerto Rico on Saturday that she "cannot set forth a plan right now that takes money out of a system that relies on the fares of the buses and the subways. > She also said the state's budget deficit will also make difficult implementing Mamdani's plan for free, universal child care. > "But can we find a path to make it more affordable for people who need help? Of course we can," Hochul said, POLITICO reported.