A Global Center of Power Facing Local Crises

Manhattan is the economic and cultural epicenter of New York City, home to over 1.6 million residents and the headquarters of major corporations, financial institutions, and world-renowned cultural landmarks. From Wall Street to Broadway, this borough is synonymous with ambition and success. However, beneath the surface of Manhattan’s towering skyscrapers and bustling streets lies a series of critical challenges that demand real financial oversight, accountability, and leadership.

Out-of-Control Cost of Living & Housing Inequality

Manhattan has some of the most expensive real estate in the world, with median home prices exceeding $1.2 million and rent prices skyrocketing to historic levels. While luxury high-rises continue to be built, the borough faces an affordable housing crisis, with working-class residents and even middle-income professionals struggling to find stable housing.

What Needs to Be Done:

• Conduct a full audit of city-funded housing projects to ensure they are delivering real affordable housing, not just luxury units disguised as “affordable.”
• Investigate developers receiving tax incentives to ensure they are fulfilling their obligations to provide housing for low- and middle-income residents.
• Increase fiscal oversight on homelessness spending, ensuring that billions in funding actually go toward long-term solutions rather than temporary, costly band-aids.

Public Safety & The Cost of Crime

Manhattan has seen fluctuations in crime rates, with certain neighborhoods experiencing a rise in violent crime, theft, and quality-of-life offenses. At the same time, small business owners, street vendors, and residents feel that the city’s criminal justice policies have failed to keep their communities safe. The cost of crime extends beyond public safety—it has economic consequences, driving businesses away and discouraging tourism.

What Needs to Be Done:

• Demand financial transparency on NYPD spending to ensure resources are allocated effectively to protect residents.
• Conduct a full review of criminal justice spending to determine whether funds are being used effectively to reduce recidivism and protect victims.
• Hold city agencies accountable for misallocated resources that fail to address crime hotspots and community safety concerns.

The Struggles of Small Businesses in a Corporate-Heavy Borough

Manhattan is home to some of the world’s biggest corporations, yet its small businesses—the lifeblood of local neighborhoods—are struggling under the weight of excessive regulations, fines, and skyrocketing commercial rents. The number of vacant storefronts has increased dramatically, particularly in once-thriving districts like SoHo, the Upper West Side, and parts of Midtown. Meanwhile, corporate chains continue to dominate, pushing out independent businesses.

What Needs to Be Done:

• Audit city agencies that levy fines and penalties on small businesses, ensuring fair and reasonable enforcement.
• Push for tax relief for small businesses to allow them to compete against large corporate chains.
• Support reforms to commercial lease policies that prevent landlords from leaving storefronts empty while waiting for higher-paying tenants.

Public Transit Woes & Infrastructure Delays

Manhattan relies heavily on public transportation, yet the MTA continues to be plagued by delays, mismanagement, and massive debt. Subway service disruptions, aging infrastructure, and safety concerns have all led to declining ridership, further exacerbating the city’s economic challenges.

What Needs to Be Done:

• Conduct a forensic audit of the MTA’s budget to identify waste, inefficiencies, and potential fraud.
• Push for greater transparency in infrastructure contracts, ensuring that taxpayer money is being spent efficiently.
• Advocate for expanded and modernized transit solutions, reducing congestion and improving reliability.

Wasteful Spending & Fiscal Mismanagement

Manhattan is at the center of New York City’s economy, yet millions of taxpayer dollars are mismanaged or lost due to inefficiencies, bloated bureaucracy, and failed programs. From extravagant city contracts that go over budget to wasteful subsidies that benefit the wealthy while neglecting working-class residents, financial mismanagement is a borough-wide issue.

What Needs to Be Done:

• Full-scale audits of major city contracts to ensure responsible spending and prevent fraud.
• Investigate wasteful government programs that fail to deliver results for Manhattan residents.
• Increase transparency on public spending, allowing taxpayers to see exactly where their money is going.

Manhattan Deserves Smart Leadership & Fiscal Accountability

Manhattan is the beating heart of New York City, but it is also a borough in need of serious reform. Without smart financial management, effective crime prevention, and policies that support small businesses and working families, Manhattan risks becoming a playground for the ultra-wealthy while pushing out those who built its legacy. It’s time for real oversight, fiscal discipline, and leadership that prioritizes the needs of all Manhattanites—not just the elite.