Bruce Blakeman is blasting Gov. Kathy Hochul over a $1.5 billion plan to help New York City close its budget gap. He says the money should go back to taxpayers instead.
The Nassau County executive and Republican candidate for governor accused Hochul of favoring the city while suburban and upstate residents struggle with high property taxes and rising living costs.
Hochul plans to send $1 billion this fiscal year and another $510 million next year to New York City. The city has reduced its projected deficit from $12 billion to $7 billion under newly elected Mayor Zohran Mamdani, according to reports cited in the release.
“Kathy Hochul is happily handing billions to New York City while suburban and upstate taxpayers struggle to pay their bills,” Blakeman said. “If Albany truly has a $1.5 billion surplus — or if the Governor simply has that much money just laying around — that money should be used to cut school taxes for hard-working New Yorkers, not parked in a bailout that rewards fiscal mismanagement.”
Blakeman said the state should use any surplus to reduce school taxes across New York.
Focus on tax relief
Blakeman pointed to other state spending he says benefits New York City more than other regions. He cited rising support for childcare and voucher programs that cost nearly $1.8 billion statewide each year, with most of that money spent in the city.
He also highlighted costs tied to New York City’s status as a “sanctuary city.” Local financial reports show the city expects to spend more than $6 billion over multi-year plans on services for asylum seekers and related programs, according to the release.
“Why should someone on Long Island, the Hudson Valley, or Western New York be asked to pay for policies and programs that don’t benefit their communities?” Blakeman asked. “The people of this state deserve a Governor who prioritizes tax relief, common-sense fiscal management, and fairness for all New Yorkers — not just another bailout for Albany’s big city allies.”
Campaign pledges
Blakeman said he would return unused state surplus dollars to taxpayers, starting with school tax relief, if voters elect him governor.
He also pledged to stop what he called one-off bailouts and to demand accountability for state spending, including childcare and intergovernmental transfers.
“New Yorkers deserve leadership that respects every community,” Blakeman said. “I will be a Governor for all — not just for Zohran Mamdani.”
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].