Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman signed a pledge Friday to oppose tax increases, reject new inheritance taxes and put additional state revenue toward tax relief rather than new spending programs.
Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, challenged Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign the New York State Taxpayer Protection & Tax Relief Pledge as well, according to a campaign news release.
Pledge covers taxes, fees and state mandates
The commitment calls for opposing and vetoing increases in income, property and energy taxes. It also covers government fees or surcharges designed to get around the pledge.
Blakeman said he would oppose unfunded state mandates, cost shifts and other government actions that directly or indirectly raise income taxes or local property taxes.
A separate provision rejects a new inheritance tax or an expansion of New York's estate tax, including proposals advanced or supported by Zohran Mamdani.
“I signed this pledge to draw a hard line against tax hikes,” Blakeman said.
The announcement also criticized Hochul and Mamdani over taxes, electricity costs and spending. Those criticisms were part of Blakeman's campaign argument for the pledge.
Additional revenue would go toward tax relief
Under the pledge, additional state revenue would be directed toward income, property and energy tax relief instead of new spending programs. That commitment is subject to existing legal obligations and required fiscal reserves.
Blakeman also pledged to reduce government-imposed costs, restrain spending and eliminate waste, saying the goal is to make New York more affordable for families, seniors, homeowners and businesses.
The pledge cites New York's last-place ranking in the Tax Foundation's 2026 State Tax Competitiveness Index. The foundation's state profile confirms the No. 50 ranking.
The index compares state tax structures across corporate, individual income, sales, property and unemployment insurance taxes. Its 2026 edition reflects tax systems in place July 1, 2025.
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