Topic
Politics
Published on
July 18, 2025
Civitas
Conversations
Michael Toth on Zohran Mamdani and the Future of Progressivism

The Cost of Conflict: White House and Human Rights

February 18, 2026
About this episode

Policies proposed by socialist mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani—like rent freezes and profit caps—could accelerate the exodus.

Civitas Outlook editor-in-chief Richard M. Reinsch II interviews Michael Toth about his recent Outlook piece titled "Escape from New York," which explores how high taxes and heavy regulation are pushing companies and residents out of New York.

Toth's article warns that policies proposed by socialist mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani—like rent freezes and profit caps—could accelerate the exodus. In contrast, cities like Austin and states like Texas are attracting growth by reducing red tape, adding to the housing supply, and creating business-friendly environments.

Michael Toth is director of research at the Civitas Institute and a seasoned tech general counsel with over fifteen years of corporate counsel and litigation experience. He has served as a lawyer in the Marine Corps and a senior counsel at the Texas Office of Attorney General.

Civitas Conversations features leading scholars, commentators, and thought leaders for in-depth discussions of the latest essays in Civitas Outlook—and the ideas behind them.

A production of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

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