Gov. Kathy Hochul set modest goals \u2014 some OK, some bad \u2014 for her budget this year, and eventually achieved most of them, but the bottom line leaves New York still solidly on track for continued decline.<\/p>\n
That is: She didn\u2019t even try to alter a course she herself has said harms all of us. <\/p>\n
Without question, her monster $268.5 billion tax-and-spend deal<\/a> with the Legislature on balance will make life in New York worse.<\/p>\n Rather than ease the state\u2019s nation-leading tax burden or narrow its $27 billion cash shortfall through 2030, the deal recklessly ratchets up spending another $14.5 billion, or 5.4%.<\/p>\n And while everyone assumed Hochul would break her no-new-taxes vow after the November election, she couldn\u2019t wait: The deal adds a steep surcharge<\/a> on New York City pieds-\u00e0-terre assessed at as little as $1 million, among other new taxes.<\/p>\n Hochul also leaves taxpayers on the hook for caving in to unions by erasing reforms meant to rein in pension costs for public employees hired after 2012 (Tier 6 workers).<\/p>\n \t\t\tMore From\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPost Editorial Board<\/p>\n These employees will now get a break on what they must contribute to their pension plans and more credit for overtime. Plus, teachers will get to retire at 58 rather than 63.<\/p>\n Hochul\u2019s bailout of New York City (which is far wealthier than the rest of the state) may set a record for irresponsibility.<\/p>\n It delivers billions to Gotham, some thanks to her pied-\u00e0-terre surcharge, rather than force Mayor Zohran Mamdani to keep his spending in line with revenue.<\/p>\n Worse, it lets the city defer billions in required pension-fund payments, letting Mamdani spend more now at the price of adding billions to the city\u2019s bills<\/a> long after this gov and mayor are out of office.<\/p>\n Hochul bought Hizzoner\u2019s support for her reelection bid at the cost of future taxpayers.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet opinions and commentary from our columnists\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSubscribe to our daily Post Opinion newsletter!\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n The deal is also a gift to people in America illegally, including those who have committed violent crimes; they get extra protection from federal immigration officials.<\/p>\n