At a campaign event in Rosedale, Queens, Republican gubernatorial nominee Bruce Blakeman laid out a bold tax‑cut proposal that would eliminate New York state income tax for single filers earning $50,000 or less and for joint filers earning $100,000 or less each year. Blakeman said the plan would also let anyone earning more than $100,000 keep the first $100,000 tax‑free, a move he framed as relief for working families.
Details of the proposal
According to Blakeman, a family filing jointly with $100,000 of income would save roughly $4,000 per year, while households earning up to $250,000 could see about $7,000 in annual savings. He estimates the total impact would be a $35 billion reduction in state taxes, positioning the plan as the centerpiece of his campaign against Governor Kathy Hochul.
Political context
The latest Siena poll released last week shows Gov. Hochul holding a 9‑point lead over Blakeman. While the numbers suggest a challenging path for the Republican nominee, the poll also reflects a competitive race in a state that has not elected a Republican governor since 2010. Blakeman’s tax plan is intended to narrow that gap by appealing to middle‑class families who feel squeezed by high taxes.
Critics and community response
Local residents expressed mixed reactions. Rosedale homeowner Ronald Hall asked, “If you’re gonna give money to us, that money has to come from somewhere. Where are we gonna lose those funds?” Blakeman answered that the cuts would be funded by reducing spending on migrant services and Medicaid, a stance he says protects taxpayers while still caring for the most vulnerable.
Another resident, Daniella May, welcomed the idea, saying, “I don’t want to have to leave because maybe I have to sell, because I can’t afford it.” She highlighted the importance of keeping families rooted in their neighborhoods.
Administration and party reactions
Gov. Hochul’s campaign dismissed the proposal, claiming Blakeman would “jack up property taxes twice” while cutting middle‑class taxes. Hochul herself told Eyewitness News that a conservative think tank had called the plan “half‑baked,” adding, “New Yorkers are smarter than that and won’t fall for it.”
Mayor Eric Mamdani announced his support for Hochul, stating, “The Governor and I are aligned on the things that matter, which is how to ensure that working‑class families can keep living in this state.”
Looking ahead
Blakeman’s tax‑cut blueprint will now face scrutiny from state lawmakers, who must decide whether the projected $35 billion savings can be realized without jeopardizing essential services. The proposal adds a clear policy contrast to the upcoming November election, giving voters a concrete choice between a tax‑reduction agenda and the incumbent administration’s fiscal approach.
As the campaign enters its final stretch, both sides are likely to sharpen their messages on affordability, family stability, and the role of government in protecting the economic well‑being of New Yorkers.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
