Blakeman and Hochul clash on taxes in final campaign days

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman and Gov. Kathy Hochul swapped tax critiques on Saturday as Election Day neared. Both candidates held rallies in Queens to address voters in the closing days of the New York race.

Blakeman spoke in Middle Village, where he outlined a plan to remove state income tax on the first $100,000 of income for joint filers. He also pledged to cut utility costs by 50%. Blakeman accused Hochul of dodging questions on future tax hikes. "That means she's going to raise income tax. She's going to raise property tax. She's going to institute a wealth tax, a death tax, tax, tax tax," he said.

Hochul campaigned in Jamaica with Attorney General Letitia James, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, and Lieutenant Governor candidate Adrienne Adams. The Democratic group compared Blakeman to former President Donald Trump and pointed to Albany's strategy for offsetting federal funding cuts. Hochul rejected the idea that she would increase taxes. "I can fund the programs that we want for healthcare and childcare and healthcare and continue the investments in infrastructure with the current budget that we have. I don't believe in raising taxes just for the sake of raising taxes," she said.

Blakeman challenged the polling numbers that show Hochul with a double-digit lead. He argued that her spending habits suggested a tighter race. "Kathy Hochul wouldn't spend $7 million in the last seven days attacking me if it wasn't neck and neck. We're going to win this race because turnout is on our side," he stated.

The candidates will continue campaigning through the final weekend before voters head to the polls.