New York Governor Kathy Hochul might be planning another shift, similar to her stance on congestion pricing. Former Republican Governor George Pataki indicated on Sunday that she may hold off on tax increases until after the upcoming November elections.
Pataki suggested that Democratic leaders searching for a second four-year term might be hesitant to meet the socialist demands of New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani, particularly the proposal to raise taxes on the wealthiest individuals and businesses, at least for the time being.
However, Pataki noted that post-election, the situation could change, referencing how Hochul proceeded with the much-disliked congestion toll for entering Manhattan after the 2024 elections.
“Since it’s an election year, her response until November will likely be ‘no’ to those tax hikes. But after that, if past behavior is anything to go by, she’ll start saying, ‘Okay, I’m sorry, but yeah, raise taxes.’ That could be catastrophic,” Pataki warned during his appearance on 77 WABC’s “Cats Roundtable.”
Pataki pointed out the parallels with congestion pricing, stating, “First it was, ‘Oh, we’ll halt congestion pricing,’ then right after the election, it was enacted,” while discussing with host John Catsimatidis.
Catsimatidis chimed in, feeling that the congestion pricing was approved almost immediately after the 2024 election.
As the last Republican to win statewide office back in 2002, Pataki has a history of cutting state income taxes. He expressed concern that merely discussing tax hikes might nudge more New Yorkers to relocate to states like Florida and Texas, which have no state income tax.
“We already have the second-highest tax burden in the nation, and now Mamdani is pushing for significant tax increases on successful New Yorkers… It would be a disaster if it were allowed,” he remarked.
Pataki conveyed that he is “very concerned” about New York’s future, highlighting that, “The budget is out of control… Wall Street had a good year, so Albany has funds. What’s Hochul doing? Increasing spending significantly,” he said.
He further mentioned an interim tax passed in Albany a decade ago that’s supposed to phase out, but expressed doubt that would occur as long as Hochul and the Democrats maintain control, fearing it might become a permanent fixture.
Requests for comments from Hochul’s campaign have gone unanswered.
