Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman urged Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday to take a stand against pressure from the Democratic Socialist Party of America, which is advocating for proposed tax hikes from Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani.
Blakeman, who is contemplating a run against Hochul in the upcoming gubernatorial election, cautioned that these tax increases might encourage businesses to leave New York and raise expenses for consumers and small businesses alike.
“This will negatively impact Nassau County, Long Island, the metropolitan area, and all of New York State. We’re prepared to fight this vigorously,” Blakeman told reporters at a county council meeting.
“New York is already the state with the highest taxes in the nation,” he pointed out, expressing that the state shouldn’t look to New Jersey for tax strategies.
Recently re-elected Republican county executives, alongside officials and business leaders from neighboring suburbs, have urged Hochul to dismiss Mamdani’s proposals.
The Democratic Socialists are advocating for a 2% tax hike on billionaires and an increase in the corporate tax rate from 7.5% to 11.5%, following a model similar to New Jersey’s.
With his recent victory in New York City’s mayoral election, Mamdani’s DSA allies have intensified their calls for Hochul to support tax increases, frequently chanting “taxes on the rich” during her public appearances.
While Hochul has publicly claimed that he won’t increase income taxes, he has shown some willingness to consider an increase in the corporate tax rate, according to reports.
Blakeman expressed concerns on Monday that such tax hikes could lead to higher prices for consumers. “We’re worried this will result in more jobs leaving New York, and more residents moving out,” he added.
According to estimates from Nassau County, businesses on Long Island making $5 million annually currently pay around $362,500 in corporate taxes.
Blakeman indicated that under Mamdani’s plan, those businesses would see their taxes rise by approximately $212,500 annually. In the five boroughs, local taxes would increase that total to about $805,000.
His office noted that simply leaving the state wouldn’t necessarily protect businesses from increased taxes, as New York state law allows for local taxes to apply if they maintain sufficient operations in the state.
Furthermore, some businesses that relocate but continue to make significant sales in New York may actually face higher taxes, in rare situations even paying more tax despite lower sales.
Mamdani aims to fund his policies, which include universal childcare, free bus service, and municipal grocery stores, through these tax increases.
The DSA insists that Hochul support Mamdani’s proposals or risk losing backing in the upcoming Democratic gubernatorial primary next summer.
“Over a million New York voters have made their desires clear,” DSA co-chair Gustavo Gordillo stated at a rally in Union Square on Sunday.
Brooklyn state Senator Jabari Brisport, a DSA member, warned at the rally that supporting the tax increase could be Hochul’s last chance to align with left-wing groups before they potentially look for other candidates.
On Monday, Hochul emphasized that she has not made a decision regarding the proposed tax hikes and is awaiting clearer insights into next year’s budget, particularly given the city’s budget deficit and potential cuts to federal funding.
“From November to January, we should have a better understanding of next year’s outlook. It’s not that I’m trying to be vague intentionally, but we simply lack all the information,” she remarked.
