As Gov. Kathy Hochul keeps making New York more expensive while pretending otherwise, challenger Bruce Blakeman just rolled out a plan that really would boost affordability.<\/p>\n
Blakeman vows to slash<\/a> state taxes by a whopping $35 billion, about $7,000 for an average family of four.<\/p>\n Low-income taxpayers would benefit most: His plan calls for eliminating state income taxes completely for single filers earning less than $50,000 and for married couples below $100,000.<\/p>\n That means the average couple in 45 of the state\u2019s 62 counties would pay absolutely nothing \u2014 zilch. <\/p>\n Bravo!<\/p>\n The GOP wannabe also wants a break for middle-income earners ($100,00 and $500,000), cutting their top rate from about 6% to 4%.<\/p>\n \t\t\tMore From\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPost Editorial Board<\/p>\n On top of those cuts, Blakeman also promises to \u201cslash utility bills in half\u201d and \u201cdeliver real property tax relief.\u201d<\/p>\n If he can make good on even half of all that, he\u2019d reverse New York\u2019s status as one of the least affordable states in America.<\/p>\n Consider: Under Hochul, New Yorkers shoulder the nation\u2019s heaviest tax burden<\/a>.<\/p>\n Yet nearly every year she\u2019s been in office, she raised taxes of one form or another.<\/p>\n Just this year, she imposed yet another stiff levy<\/a> \u2014 a pied-\u00e0-terre tax on high-end city apartments.<\/p>\n And her draconian climate agenda has sent utility bills<\/a> through the roof, yet she remains committed to it.<\/p>\n Her \u201cfight for affordability\u201d is just gimmicks like those $200 \u201crebate\u201d checks that don\u2019t even cover one month\u2019s increase in electric bills on her watch. <\/p>\n True, Blakeman\u2019s plan raises questions, like how he\u2019ll \u201cpay for\u201d the lost revenue.<\/p>\n Luckily, the state budget is ripe for whacking.<\/p>\n