Fact Check: "Gov. Hochul refuses to support any income tax hikes since taking office."
What We Know
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has been in office since August 2021. Since then, she has made several proposals regarding tax policy. Contrary to the claim that she refuses to support any income tax hikes, Hochul has actively proposed tax cuts. In her 2025 State of the State address, she suggested a tax cut of up to 5% for middle-class New Yorkers, which would result in the lowest income tax rates in decades for many taxpayers (Weiner, 2025). This proposal aims to provide relief to over 8.3 million taxpayers earning up to $323,200 annually (Weiner, 2025).
Additionally, Hochul's administration has focused on affordability measures, including expanding the child tax credit and providing inflation rebate checks to taxpayers (Weiner, 2025). These initiatives indicate a clear intent to reduce the tax burden rather than increase it.
Analysis
The claim that Governor Hochul refuses to support any income tax hikes is misleading. Evidence from her recent proposals shows that she is actively working to lower taxes rather than increase them. The proposed tax cuts are part of a broader affordability agenda aimed at alleviating financial pressures on New Yorkers (Weiner, 2025).
The sources used to substantiate this claim are credible and come from established news outlets that report on state politics. The information provided by Mark Weiner in the Syracuse.com article is particularly relevant as it details Hochul's specific proposals and the context in which they were made (Weiner, 2025).
In contrast, the claim lacks supporting evidence and does not reflect the current tax policy discussions in New York. The assertion that Hochul has refused to support any income tax hikes does not align with her actions and proposals since taking office.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that Governor Hochul refuses to support any income tax hikes since taking office is false. Evidence shows that she has proposed significant tax cuts aimed at reducing the financial burden on New Yorkers, demonstrating a commitment to lowering taxes rather than increasing them.
Sources
- Weiner, Mark. "Hochul proposes NY tax cut, inflation rebate, ‘birth allowance’ for." Syracuse.com. Link
