About this episode

Richard Epstein critiques NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani's rent control and inheritance tax proposals, warning of their negative impact on housing and wealth retention.

Richard Epstein takes aim at NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s push for rent control and higher inheritance taxes, arguing that both policies punish landlords, shrink housing supply, and ultimately drive wealth—and people—out of the state. From empty apartments and collapsing incentives to interstate tax competition and capital flight, Epstein lays out a stark warning: policies that sound compassionate in the short run can devastate cities over time. A sharp, unsparing look at markets, incentives, and the high cost of getting them wrong.

People in this episode

Guest: Richard Epstein

Topics covered

• rent control
• inheritance taxes
• housing supply
• capital flight
• market incentives

Keywords

• rent control
• inheritance tax
• housing market
• capital flight
• New York City

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Civitas Institute, University of Texas at Austin

Places: NYC

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