The shift
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul told reporters she is open to new taxes “if there is a need,” and identified universal childcare as a key area, according to a Nov. 6 post by Craig McCarthy on X. McCarthy added that a “path forward” will be announced at the State of the State and noted Hochul “did not comment to cutting spending.”
What she pointed to
In remarks reported by The Western Journal and republished by The Gateway Pundit, Hochul referenced her “record over the last five years,” saying, “when we have a severe need to do something extraordinary, I am willing to do what has to happen.” She cited increasing the Payroll Mobility Tax to support the subway system and said she acted to avoid a bond rating downgrade and to “help the mayor get out of a problem he didn’t create.” She described her approach as “pragmatic.”
Childcare funding
The Western Journal piece states that, earlier in the same briefing, Hochul discussed using new taxes to fund “childcare,” quoting her as saying, “I want to make sure that we have a path forward that is sustainable. We fully fund childcare, and this is how we work to provide for generations to come.” The article attributes that to a “full transcript” of her remarks.
Allies and positions
Zohran Mamdani, who appeared alongside Hochul, said, “I’ve always been clear about where I stand… I continue to hold those positions,” and spoke of working with the governor to “deliver for working people,” according to the same report.
Context from the campaign
The Western Journal article also quotes Hochul telling WNBC one week before Election Day: “I will not raise taxes. I’m very clear on that.”
Opposition claims
The piece cites a representative for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman alleging to New York Focus that Hochul has “hiked taxes by $8 billion” since August 2021, “raised utility rates 48 times,” and approved “21 toll/fare hikes.” Blakeman echoed those numbers in an Oct. 30 post on X.
What’s unanswered
McCarthy wrote that Hochul “did not comment to cutting spending.” Details on the scope and structure of any childcare funding plan were not provided in the materials cited.
