Read his lips: Bruce Blakeman is promising no new taxes.
The Republican candidate for governor signed a “no new taxes” pledge Friday, challenging Gov. Kathy Hochul to do the same just days before the candidates meet in the Nov. 3 election.
Blakeman’s pledge came after Hochul delivered an unclear response this week when asked whether Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s support on the campaign trail included an implicit agreement to raise taxes if she wins another term.
“Kathy Hochul has never met a tax she didn’t like, and Zohran Mamdani has never met one he didn’t want to raise,” Blakeman said in a statement.
“I signed this pledge to draw a hard line against tax hikes,” he added. “I challenge Kathy Hochul to sign it, too—or admit to voters that another four years will bring new taxes, reckless spending, and more broken promises.”
The Nassau County executive also renewed his promise to veto any income-tax increases if elected governor. He said he would block new Mamdani-backed levies, including proposals to significantly alter New York’s estate-tax rules, and prevent unfunded state mandates from driving property taxes higher.
According to a campaign press release, Blakeman’s pledge contains five commitments: “1. No tax increases, 2. No hidden property tax increases, 3. No new inheritance or estate taxes, 4. New revenue for tax relief — not new spending and 5. Restore New York’s competitiveness.”
The campaign cited an American Tax Foundation report that ranked New York as having the nation’s worst overall tax climate.
Hochul dismissed Blakeman’s challenge and criticized his record, pointing to his votes for higher property taxes while he served in the Nassau County Legislature.
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“Governor Hochul cut middle-class taxes to their lowest rates in 70 years, and never raised income taxes in a single budget,” Hochul campaign spokesperson Ryan Radulovacki said in a statement.
“There’s only one candidate in the race for governor who’s actually cut taxes for families and it’s not Bruce Blakeman, who jacked up property taxes twice.”
Hochul, however, has not pledged to keep taxes unchanged after the election, as Mamdani urges his “tax the rich” supporters to turn out for her Tuesday.
“I will say this. A year ago I was out campaigning with the mayor. He has returned the favor and campaigned for me and I’m grateful for that,” Hochul told reporters Wednesday.
Earlier this year, Hochul rejected Mamdani’s proposals to increase income taxes. She has, however, enacted a controversial pied-à-terre tax targeting luxury second homes in New York City.
Meanwhile, a midyear report released Friday by Hochul’s state budget office said New York is on track to collect substantially more revenue, as artificial-intelligence investment continues to drive a Wall Street boom.
The improved forecast calls for $8.6 billion more in tax revenue than projected when the state fiscal plan was approved in May. That would push the total budget to $282 billion, up from the record $277 billion plan approved just months ago.
The additional money will help replenish state reserves, which are expected to rise from $15 billion to $20 billion this year. Another $2 billion increase is planned for the 2028 fiscal year.
Despite the stronger revenue outlook, the budget office still projects a $2.9 billion shortfall in the next budget cycle, followed by gaps of $5.8 billion and $8.9 billion in the subsequent years.