Republican candidate for governor, Bruce Blakeman, criticized Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday for allocating $1.5 billion in state funds to assist New York City in managing its budget deficit under the leadership of newly elected Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Blakeman, who serves as the Nassau County Executive, argued that these funds would be better used to lower school taxes throughout New York State. He accused Hochul of being influenced by Mamdani, who has recently supported her campaign for re-election.
“The timing is telling: Kathy Hochul secures Zohran Mamdani’s endorsement, and suddenly New York City receives additional taxpayer dollars to fund Mamdani’s migrant program and other unnecessary expenditures,” Blakeman stated.
“New Yorkers need leaders who value every community,” he continued. “I aim to be a governor who represents all residents, not just those aligned with Zohran Mamdani.”
Despite a reduction in the city’s projected deficit over the next two years from $12 billion to $7 billion, Hochul plans to provide $1 billion in state funding this fiscal year, followed by an additional $510 million next year, Blakeman highlighted.
“Kathy Hochul is willingly distributing billions to New York City while taxpayers in the suburbs and upstate areas face financial hardships,” Blakeman remarked.
“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.”
