Knicks owner James Dolan is calling out leaders of the city\u2019s most influential business group for sitting out the governor\u2019s race instead of backing Republican Bruce Blakeman \u2013 or at least advocating for a lower tax, pro-growth agenda.<\/p>\n
Dolan, who also owns Madison Square Garden, is bankrolling a pro-Blakeman political action committee <\/a>over Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul in this year\u2019s race and he claims other business leaders are giving the incumbent a free pass.<\/p>\n Nassau County Executive and New York Governor Candidate Bruce Blakeman attends the Columbus Day Parade on 5th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. Stephen Yang for NY Post<\/p>\n The owner expressed his frustration in an email to Rob Speyer, co-chairman of the Partnership for the City of New York, the trade group for the city\u2019s largest and most influential employers, from Wall Street, real estate, banking, tech and sports and entertainment industries.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a growing concern that the Partnership and MSG may be sliding toward different paths as it relates to our respective views on the financial and political challenges we are facing both as a city and a state,\u201d Dolan said in an Oct.12 e-letter to Rob Speyer of the real estate firm Tishman Speyer and co-chair of the Partnership\u2019s board of directors.<\/p>\n Dolan said there is \u201cwidespread agreement\u201di n the business community that Mayor Zohran Mamdani is \u201cbad for the city\u201d because \u201cwe all know that his plans to raise taxes are disastrous for our economy.\u201d<\/p>\n New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks about a new Energy Affordability Program during a press conference on energy costs for consumers at 197 East Broadway in Manhattan, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. William Farrington for NY Post<\/p>\n But he suggested the Partnership\u2019s leadership is making things easy for Hochul, who is seeking reelection to a second full, four-year term and gave authorization for Mamdani to impose a new pied-a-terre on luxury second homes in the city.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, this is where we diverge. The mayor cannot raise taxes without Governor Hochul\u2019s support,\u201d Dolan told Speyer.<\/p>\n \u201cWhoever serves as New York State\u2019s next governor is our only defense against these harmful policies for the next three years\u2026 and it is clear that, if re-elected, Governor Hochul will not hold the line.<\/p>\n He went on to bring up the pied-a-terre tax<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tStart your day with all you need to know\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMorning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n