New York Governor Kathy Hochul's governing principles are proving to be nothing more than a fig leaf, as she's suddenly flipped-flopped on raising taxes to fund socialist Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's freebies. The news was shocking yet all too familiar – Does Gov. Hochul actually have any governing principles at all?
It seems that the Governor has been caught off guard by left-wing pressure to raise corporate taxes to help pay for Mandani's raft of giveaways, with anonymous sources claiming that there have been "back of the napkin" style discussions about increasing the tax rate. This is a clear case of caving in to political pressure from the radical leftists who make up Mamdani's core voters.
The problem is that Hochul has broken yet another pledge on a fundamental issue, and this is hardly admirable. She can't seriously claim she's concerned about the exorbitant cost of living in New York while also raising broad-based taxes that will ultimately filter through the entire economy – that's how New York got into the mess in the first place.
Hochul's opponents are already testing the waters, with Upstate Rep. Elise Stefanik announcing her candidacy and calling Hochul "America's worst governor." Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is also getting in on the action, making it clear that New York's exorbitant taxes will be a target for the GOP nominee.
The Governor's tendency to flip-flop on key issues has become all too predictable. She seems to believe that following Mamdani's tax-and-spend agenda will work for her as well – but state-wide voters are far more moderate than those in the five boroughs, and she might have forgotten that Mandani won just over 50 percent of the voters in a multi-candidate field.
When it comes to campaign charisma, Hochul is no Mamdani. Is she also planning to follow him and betray Israel? Already her tax gamble seems questionable given that she faces a tough re-election campaign.
For New Yorkers who foolishly believed her "no-new-taxes" vow, Hochul's broken promise on a fundamental issue is hardly admirable. The pattern of her making no-tax pledges, only to do a 180-reversal, is becoming all too familiar – and it's clear that she's more interested in pleasing the radical left than in serving the people of New York.
It seems that something of an affirmation comes from an unlikely source – environmentalists. They are furious at Hochul, saying what she used to say: that the ban on gas stove hookups was necessary to reduce deadly emissions. But the delay in implementing the ban, coupled with her sudden willingness to raise taxes, suggests that there's more to this story than meets the eye.
In short, Hochul's penchant for trying to hide the ball is a very odd strategy in an era when most voters prize authenticity above all else. Across the spectrum, from Donald Trump to Mamdani, a common thread of the victors is their ability to persuade voters that what you see is what you get – but not Hochul. The one consistency in her elective career is that what you see today won't be what you'll get tomorrow. Like a weather vane, her positions tell you only which way the wind is blowing now – and it's clear that the direction of the wind is straight into the jaws of defeat.
It seems that the Governor has been caught off guard by left-wing pressure to raise corporate taxes to help pay for Mandani's raft of giveaways, with anonymous sources claiming that there have been "back of the napkin" style discussions about increasing the tax rate. This is a clear case of caving in to political pressure from the radical leftists who make up Mamdani's core voters.
The problem is that Hochul has broken yet another pledge on a fundamental issue, and this is hardly admirable. She can't seriously claim she's concerned about the exorbitant cost of living in New York while also raising broad-based taxes that will ultimately filter through the entire economy – that's how New York got into the mess in the first place.
Hochul's opponents are already testing the waters, with Upstate Rep. Elise Stefanik announcing her candidacy and calling Hochul "America's worst governor." Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is also getting in on the action, making it clear that New York's exorbitant taxes will be a target for the GOP nominee.
The Governor's tendency to flip-flop on key issues has become all too predictable. She seems to believe that following Mamdani's tax-and-spend agenda will work for her as well – but state-wide voters are far more moderate than those in the five boroughs, and she might have forgotten that Mandani won just over 50 percent of the voters in a multi-candidate field.
When it comes to campaign charisma, Hochul is no Mamdani. Is she also planning to follow him and betray Israel? Already her tax gamble seems questionable given that she faces a tough re-election campaign.
For New Yorkers who foolishly believed her "no-new-taxes" vow, Hochul's broken promise on a fundamental issue is hardly admirable. The pattern of her making no-tax pledges, only to do a 180-reversal, is becoming all too familiar – and it's clear that she's more interested in pleasing the radical left than in serving the people of New York.
It seems that something of an affirmation comes from an unlikely source – environmentalists. They are furious at Hochul, saying what she used to say: that the ban on gas stove hookups was necessary to reduce deadly emissions. But the delay in implementing the ban, coupled with her sudden willingness to raise taxes, suggests that there's more to this story than meets the eye.
In short, Hochul's penchant for trying to hide the ball is a very odd strategy in an era when most voters prize authenticity above all else. Across the spectrum, from Donald Trump to Mamdani, a common thread of the victors is their ability to persuade voters that what you see is what you get – but not Hochul. The one consistency in her elective career is that what you see today won't be what you'll get tomorrow. Like a weather vane, her positions tell you only which way the wind is blowing now – and it's clear that the direction of the wind is straight into the jaws of defeat.
I don't get why politicians have to keep changing their minds like that 
Hochul was all about no new taxes, but then suddenly she's talking about raising them? It just seems so dishonest. And what's up with this whole flipping-flopping thing? Can't they just stick to one idea for once? 
I think people are getting tired of politicians promising the world and then not delivering. They need to be more honest and authentic if they want our trust. 
I mean, didn't she promise no new taxes? 
It's like, what's up with that? 
And now she's just caving in to left-wing pressure and Mamdani's freebies? 
Not exactly the most reassuring thing for New Yorkers who are already struggling with the cost of living. 
. Guess we'll just have to wait and see how this plays out come election time... 
. Upstate Rep. Elise Stefanik might be a dark horse in this race, but I wouldn't count out Bruce Blakeman either... at least he's trying to call Hochul out for her hypocrisy 
.
. I'm no economist, but even I know that's not how you pay for free stuff without hurting the economy 
.
. At this point, I'm starting to think she's more interested in pleasing the radical left than actually serving the people of NY 
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. Maybe it'll inspire some change... or maybe Hochul will just do what she always does and try to hide behind a mask of fake sincerity 
I just want some real leadership and transparency from my governor! 
i was thinking she was all about no new taxes but turns out she's all in for Mamdani's socialist freebies 
this is so typical of her, making promises then breaking them 
she thinks the state can just magically fund all these giveaways without hurting anyone? please 
Hochul needs to get her act together and stop being a chameleon 
on issues she doesn't even care about 
taxes are like a joke, right? i mean what's next gonna be free avocado toast for everyone 
