Money Fight in New York City

May 6, 2026, 17:37
USPolitics

Introduction

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and businessman Ken Griffin are angry. They disagree about a new tax on expensive homes.

Main Body

The Mayor wants a new tax. This tax is for people who own homes worth more than $5 million but do not live in the city. He wants to make $500 million for the city. He used Mr. Griffin's home as an example in a video. Mr. Griffin is unhappy. He says the Mayor's video is dangerous for his safety. Because of this, Mr. Griffin might stop a big $6 billion project in New York. This project would give 15,000 people jobs. He is now spending more money in Miami instead. Other business leaders agree with Mr. Griffin. They say taxes on rich people are bad for the city. Some leaders are moving their companies to Florida because it is better for business. Now, a state leader named Pat Fahy wants a similar tax for the whole state. He wants to tax homes worth more than $2.5 million. Some people say this is a bad idea because taxes are already too high.

Conclusion

The Mayor wants more tax money. The rich businessmen want to leave the city.

Learning

The 'Want' Pattern

In this story, we see a very common way to say what someone needs or desires: [Person] + want(s) + [Thing].

Look at these examples from the text:

  • The Mayor wants a new tax. →\rightarrow (The Mayor is the boss, so we add 's')
  • He wants to make 500million.500 million. \rightarrow$ (He is one person, so we add 's')

The Secret Rule: If you are talking about one person (He, She, The Mayor, Ken), put an -s on the end of "want".

Comparison for your brain:

  • I want →\rightarrow Correct
  • You want →\rightarrow Correct
  • He wants →\rightarrow Correct (A2 Level)

Quick Word Swap

Instead of using "Bad," the text uses words that show why things are bad. Try to notice these pairs:

  • Angry →\rightarrow (Feeling mad) $
  • Unhappy →\rightarrow (Not smiling/sad about a situation)
  • Dangerous →\rightarrow (Not safe)

Note: These words all describe a feeling or a state. Use them to describe people or situations in your daily life.

Vocabulary Learning

money (n.)
Currency used for buying goods and services.
Example:She saved her money to buy a new phone.
tax (n.)
A fee that the government takes from people or businesses.
Example:The city will collect a new tax on expensive homes.
home (n.)
A building where people live.
Example:He owns a home worth more than five million dollars.
city (n.)
A large town where many people live.
Example:The mayor wants the tax money for the city.
business (n.)
A company that sells goods or services.
Example:Business leaders are worried about the new tax.
jobs (n.)
Work that people do to earn money.
Example:The project would give 15,000 people jobs.
project (n.)
A planned activity that takes time to finish.
Example:He might stop a big project in New York.
state (n.)
A large area of land that has its own government.
Example:A state leader wants a similar tax for the whole state.
people (n.)
Human beings in general.
Example:The mayor wants a new tax for people who own expensive homes.
rich (adj.)
Having a lot of money or valuable things.
Example:Rich people are the ones who would pay the new tax.
dangerous (adj.)
Able to cause harm or injury.
Example:The mayor’s video is dangerous for his safety.
safety (n.)
The condition of being protected from danger.
Example:He worries about his safety after the video.
stop (v.)
To bring something to an end.
Example:Mr. Griffin might stop the big project.
spending (v.)
Using money to buy things.
Example:He is now spending more money in Miami.
instead (adv.)
In place of something else.
Example:She is spending money in Miami instead of New York.
other (adj.)
Different from the one mentioned.
Example:Other business leaders agree with Mr. Griffin.
agree (v.)
To have the same opinion as someone else.
Example:Business leaders agree that the tax is bad.
because (conj.)
Used to explain a reason.
Example:They moved to Florida because it is better for business.
high (adj.)
Large in amount or level.
Example:Some people say the taxes are already too high.