Blakeman Signs No-New-Taxes Pledge, Challenges Tax-Hiking Hochul to Do the Same

Blakeman Pledges No New Taxes, No Hidden Tax Hikes, and No New Inheritance Taxes as Governor

Nassau County Executive and candidate for Governor Bruce Blakeman today signed the New York State Taxpayer Protection & Tax Relief Pledge, promising no new taxes, no hidden tax hikes, and no new inheritance taxes as Governor. Blakeman challenged Governor Kathy Hochul to make the same commitment. 

“Kathy Hochul has never met a tax she didn't like, and Zohran Mamdani has never met one he didn't want to raise,” Blakeman said. “Hochul has made New York the highest-taxed state in America, approved 48 utility rate hikes, and driven the cost of living through the roof. Now, with Mamdani calling the shots and demanding even higher taxes, the worst is yet to come. I signed this pledge to draw a hard line against tax hikes. I challenge Kathy Hochul to sign it, too—or admit to voters that another four years will bring new taxes, reckless spending, and more broken promises.”

The pledge states,

“New York has one of the nation's highest state and local tax burdens, some of America's highest electricity costs, and ranks 50th out of 50 states in the Tax Foundation's 2026 State Tax Competitiveness Index.

New Yorkers need tax relief, not additional tax burdens. As a candidate for Governor of New York State, I pledge to:

1. NO TAX INCREASES

Oppose and veto increases in income taxes, property taxes, energy taxes, and government-imposed fees or surcharges designed to circumvent this pledge.

2. NO HIDDEN PROPERTY TAX INCREASES

Oppose unfunded state mandates, cost shifts, and government actions that directly or indirectly cause income taxes or local property taxes to rise.

3. NO NEW INHERITANCE OR ESTATE TAXES

Oppose any new inheritance tax or expansion of New York's estate tax, including proposals advanced or supported by Zohran Mamdani.

4. NEW REVENUE FOR TAX RELIEF — NOT NEW SPENDING

Dedicate additional state revenues, subject to existing legal obligations and required fiscal reserves, to:

• Income Tax Relief

• Property Tax Relief

• Energy Tax Relief

Rather than creating new spending programs.

5. RESTORE NEW YORK'S COMPETITIVENESS

Reduce government-imposed costs, restrain spending, eliminate waste, and make New York more affordable for families, seniors, homeowners, and businesses.

MY PLEDGE TO NEW YORKERS

NO HIGHER TAXES. NO HIDDEN TAX INCREASES. NO NEW INHERITANCE TAXES. NEW REVENUE FOR TAX RELIEF — NOT NEW SPENDING.

I make this commitment publicly and pledge to uphold it as Governor of New York State.”