ALBANY – Gov. Kathy Hochul appears to be twisting herself in knots to cater to the demands of mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani’s “tax the rich” base — while clinging to her vow not to hit New Yorkers’ wallets.
The unpopular Democratic governor has been trying to do damage control after being greeted by a deafening chorus of “tax the rich” chants from Mamdani supporters at a Sunday rally headlined by progressives Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
During a podcast this week, she admitted she didn’t want to see New York’s wealthiest flee the state, and also that she couldn’t make up for their loss by hitting the middle class with an income tax hike.
Gov. Kathy Hochul appears to be twisting herself in knots to cater to the demands of mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani’s “tax the rich” base — while clinging to her vow not to hit New Yorkers’ wallets. Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock
“I’m concerned about outmigration of people who are the ones who are supporting our budget,” Hochul told the “Raging Moderates” podcast about the top 1.5% of earners.
“I cannot make up for that with middle class tax increases. I cannot do that to the middle class and the struggling New Yorkers. So this is the balance–” she says, before catching herself.
“I mean, this is my position,” she then quickly corrected herself.
Hochul has drawn a line in state budget negotiations over the last several years against implementing new income taxes — a stance she has repeatedly reiterated publicly despite her bombshell endorsement of Mamdani in September.
“I’m concerned about outmigration of people who are the ones who are supporting our budget,” Hochul said on the ‘Raging Moderates” podcast. YouTube/Raging Moderates
She’s been trying to double down while also suggesting she’ll help work on policy goals she shares with the socialist Queens assemblyman like “universal child care” and free buses while also having to deal with billions of dollars of hits to the state from the feds.
That’s on top of a $27 billion combined budget gap Democrats in Albany have already set up for themselves over the next three state spending plans — meaning Hochul will find it increasingly difficult to make everyone happy.
“We’re not talking about new income taxes, I’ve been very clear on that,” Hochul said Thursday at an event railing against Republicans as benefits for 3 million SNAP recipients are set to run dry amid the federal shutdown.
“I cannot make up for that with middle class tax increases. I cannot do that to the middle class and the struggling New Yorkers. So this is the balance–” she says, before catching herself. “I mean, this is my position.” YouTube/Raging Moderates
“I’ve said there’s no new income taxes. I’m looking at ways to fund programs that are important to me like universal child care,” she said.
“We’re very creative in state government. We’ll find a path to accomplish the goals we need to,” she added.
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Republican lawmakers ripped Hochul for her wishy-washy, people-pleasing stance.
“Governor Hochul can’t keep pandering to the far-left while pretending to be a fiscal moderate,” Hudson Valley Rep. Mike Lawler told The Post Friday.
“Her so-called ‘creative’ funding ideas mean higher taxes, more spending, and fewer jobs,” Lawler said.
Hochul has drawn a line in state budget negotiations over the last several years against implementing new income taxes, according to reports. Matthew McDermott
“Instead of doubling down on failed policies that have already made our state the most taxed and least affordable in the nation, the governor should focus on cutting costs, lowering taxes, and keeping New Yorkers here.”
Staten Island Rep. Nicole Malliotakis added: “The fact is that timid and weak Democrats like Hochul enabled this socialist takeover of their party and sadly New Yorkers will pay the price.”
“The governor is so afraid of her own shadow that she keeps shifting further and further left, now going as far to embrace socialism to protect herself ahead of next year’s primary,” Malliotakis said.