Op-ed | Stop using retirees as New York City’s financial backstop

The op-ed argues that New York City frequently uses funds intended for retired public servants as financial backstops when the city faces cash flow problems. It critiques Mayor Zohran Mamdani for reportedly delaying a scheduled $3.7 billion contribution to the Retiree Health Benefits Trust (RHBT) to address a city cash-flow issue. The author warns that these healthcare funds were established by law for specific purposes and should not be used as general budgetary tools.