Blakeman Says Hochul Will Raise Taxes as Governor Insists Current Budget Can Fund Her Agenda

Republican Bruce Blakeman accused Gov. Kathy Hochul on Saturday of dodging questions about new taxes, telling supporters in Middle Village, Queens, that a second Hochul term would bring higher income and property taxes, a wealth tax and a “death tax,” as the two candidates traded tax attacks in the final days of the race for governor.

“That means she’s going to raise income tax. She’s going to raise property tax. She’s going to institute a wealth tax, a death tax, tax, tax tax,” Blakeman said.

The Nassau County executive used the rally to promote his plan to eliminate state income tax on the first $100,000 of income for joint filers, and he pledged to cut utility costs by 50%.

Hochul, campaigning in Jamaica, Queens, rejected the charge.

“I can fund the programs that we want for healthcare and childcare and healthcare and continue the investments in infrastructure with the current budget that we have. I don’t believe in raising taxes just for the sake of raising taxes,” she said.

The governor’s answer stops short of a pledge. Pressed twice at a Midtown news conference Wednesday, she would not say whether she would oppose New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s push to raise taxes on the wealthy, months after telling FOX 5 in July that “we should not be raising taxes on high-net-worth individuals.” Blakeman’s closing ad makes the same point: “Hochul raised taxes before, she’ll raise them again.”

Hochul campaigned Saturday alongside Attorney General Letitia James, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and former City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, her running mate for lieutenant governor. The Democrats compared Blakeman to President Donald Trump and highlighted Albany’s efforts to offset federal funding cuts.

Hochul enters Election Day with a clear polling lead. A Siena poll released Oct. 28 put her ahead of Blakeman 54% to 40% among likely voters, up from 50% to 41% in September.

Blakeman disputes the numbers and points to the governor’s spending as proof.

“Kathy Hochul wouldn’t spend $7 million in the last seven days attacking me if it wasn’t neck and neck. We’re going to win this race because turnout is on our side,” he said.

Early voting ended Sunday, and Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.