Republican gubernatorial nominee Bruce Blakeman slammed Gov. Kathy Hochul Tuesday for delivering $1.5 billion in state funds to help bail out New York City as it confronts a budget shortfall under new Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
That money should instead be used to reduce school taxes across the Empire State, said the Nassau County executive — as he accused Hochul of being beholden to Democratic socialist Mamdani, who recently endorsed her re-election bid.
“The timing says it all: Kathy Hochul gets Zohran Mamdani’s endorsement, and then New York City gets billions more in taxpayer dollars to pay for Mamdani’s migrant program and other wasteful spending,” Blakeman said.
“New Yorkers deserve leadership that respects every community,” he said. “I will be a governor for all — not just for Zohran Mamdani.”
Despite the city’s projected deficit over the next two years dropping from $12 billion to $7 billion — Hochul was set to deliver $1 billion in this fiscal year and another $510 million next year in state funding relief to the city, Blakeman noted.
“Kathy Hochul is happily handing billions to New York City while suburban and upstate taxpayers struggle to pay their bills,” said Blakeman.
“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 pointed to other recent Hochul commitments that benefit New York City disproportionately, including increased support for child care and voucher programs that cost nearly $1.8 billion statewide annually, with the lion’s share being spent in the five boroughs.
He also highlighted the ongoing costs associated with the Big Apple’s role as a so-called sanctuary city, saying funds dedicated to services for asylum seekers were expected to total more than $6 billion over multi-years.
“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.
Hochul’s campaign ripped Blakeman as an out of touch toadie of President Trump.
“New Yorkers have seen Governor Kathy Hochul cut middle-class taxes, put money directly back in their pockets through inflation refund checks, and expand affordable childcare – but Bruce Blakeman is against all of that,” said Hochul campaign spokesperson Ryan Radulovacki.
“All New Yorkers get from Bruce Blakeman is cheerleading for Trump’s agenda, including his tariffs that make groceries more expensive, squeeze farmers, and push small businesses to the brink. That’s the choice in this race, and it’s why ‘100% MAGA’ Bruce will never be governor,” the Hochul rep said.
They’ve also been linking Hochul and other Democratic opponents to Mamdani, who is far less popular in the burbs and upstate than in the Big Apple.
Suburban Republican and upstate complaints about Albany funneling billions of dollars to New York City is a longtime strategic campaign tactic.
Political strategists claim Hochul’s partial city bailout was aimed at taking steam out of Mamdani and the progressive left’s push for Albany to raise income taxes on the rich and corporations to balance the city budget.
Hochul opposes raising taxes as she faces the voters this fall.
The governor’s office said the state will now pick up the tab for some initiatives that had costs shifted to the city, including $300 million for youth violence programs and another $60 million for public health.
Hochul defended the partial bailout in a joint press release with the mayor on Monday.
“A strong New York City means a stronger New York state. This investment protects services and puts the city on stable financial footing,” she said.
“New Yorkers expect the state and the city to work together, and I’m proud to partner with the mayor to deliver for working families.”