Brian Lear on WNYC. So some state lawmakers in New York State introduced legislation

that would eliminate the property tax breaks for Columbia and NYU.

Why?

This year alone, the two private universities collectively saved

327 million dollars on what would have been

property taxes if they were in the for-profit sector.

That number according to the New York Times, $327 million in property tax exemptions between the two universities.

Lawmakers, some of them at least, and we're going to talk to one,

think those millions should be redistributed to the City university of New York,

Cuny, which is facing proposed budget cuts

with what's going on at the city and state level.

And these lawmakers characterize

NYU and Columbia as not just universities fulfilling their

nonprofit educational mission, but as among the city's biggest

landlords.

So joining us now to discuss this recently introduced bill, it's his bill,

Zoran Mamdani, State Assembly member from District 36 in Queens.

Assembly member Mamdani, welcome back to WNYC. from District 36 in Queens.

Assembly member Mamdani, welcome back to WNYC.

Thank you for coming on.

Thank you so much for having me, Brian.

Start at the beginning, explain this idea.

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