NYC budget reveals $5.2M payroll for Mamdani's propaganda office

New York City’s new Office of Mass Engagement is set to cost taxpayers more than $5.2 million in salaries in 2027, according to recently released budget figures, with staffing levels rising sharply since its launch earlier this year.

It’s only been operating for a short time, but the office has already expanded from 14 positions to 40 employees, a 186% increase. The payroll total now sits at $5,123,756, up significantly from early estimates tied to initial hiring plans, reports the New York Post.

The unit was created under Mayor Zohran Mamdani and is designed to increase public participation in city policy discussions. However, the scale and cost have drawn criticism from outside political consultants and budget watchers: “This is purely politics at a time when real services are needed,” Democratic political consultant Hank Sheinkopf told The Post. “We have real deficits and this mayor is spending five million dollars to put 40 political operatives on the payroll. It’s morally incomprehensible . . . It’s outrageous.”

“This isn’t for anybody’s benefit but the mayor’s," they said. The budget documents show an additional 26 hires are expected by next year, with average salaries listed at around $125,000. A further $30,000 has been allocated for non-staff expenses tied to the office.

The Office of Mass Engagement has already been active in outreach efforts across the city. This week, staff were seen canvassing in the Lower East Side, encouraging residents to attend Rent Guidelines Board hearings ahead of a vote that could affect rent-stabilized apartments across New York.

Similar outreach efforts have taken place in parts of the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn since early May, according to reports. Staten Island has not yet been included, though a city spokesperson said a borough representative has been hired. The office’s first initiative, called Organize NYC, includes volunteer recruitment and door-to-door outreach. Several roles have been filled by individuals previously involved in campaign operations, including Commissioner Tascha Van Auken, who served as Mamdani’s campaign field director, and Mohamed Alharbi, deputy borough director for Queens.

The city budget does not provide full job descriptions for all 40 positions. One listed role includes a $150,000 campaign-style director position, previously reported by The Post during early hiring stages.

The office’s creation was announced on Mamdani’s second day in office. City Hall has said the goal is to broaden civic participation and connect marginalized communities with local government.

In addition to the new unit, the mayor’s office communications staff is expected to grow significantly under the current budget, which allocates $51.8 million for the mayor’s office in 2027, up by roughly $7 million compared to the prior administration.

City officials say the office has also engaged landlord advocacy groups as part of its outreach efforts and maintains that it does not promote a specific policy outcome.