New York Governor Kathy Hochul is attempting to distance herself from the problematic rollout of the state's new pied-à-terre tax, a levy on luxury second homes that has recently been paused by a Staten Island judge. The tax, which has caused friction between Hochul's administration and New York City Hall since its inclusion in the state budget talks earlier this spring, could pose electoral challenges for the governor as she seeks re-election this fall.
Following a decision Monday by Staten Island Supreme Court Justice Wayne Ozzi to halt the tax's implementation, Hochul's office stated that the lawsuit concerning the tax's administration is a matter for the city and the courts. "While this lawsuit about the administration of the tax is a matter for the city and the courts to work through, the governor continues to believe that people who can afford a multimillion-dollar second home in New York City can afford to pay their fair share," said Hochul's spokeswoman, Jennifer Goodman.
However, Hochul's political opponents have seized on the issue, with Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman criticizing the governor's stance. "It's typical Kathy Hochul to blame everybody else for her failures," Blakeman said Tuesday. "She's doing everything that Zohran Mamdani wants you to do, 'cause he's running the party now."
The pied-à-terre tax, which gained traction through calls from Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other Democratic Socialists of America members to "tax the rich," was approved by Hochul and state lawmakers in May. Mamdani's campaign had previously advocated for such a tax on luxury properties.
Lawyers representing homeowners in the lawsuit have accused city officials of disregarding the court order to pause the tax's rollout. Randy Mastro, an attorney in the suit, sent a letter to a judge arguing that the city's actions were "lawless."
Even if administrative issues are resolved, the pied-à-terre law also involves a larger overhaul of New York City's property tax system, a complex undertaking that has historically proven challenging. Republicans, including state comptroller candidate Joseph Hernandez and Assemblyman Michael Tannousis, have criticized Hochul, asserting that she pushed the bill through at the behest of socialists and is now attempting to avoid responsibility for its consequences. "If she's re-elected, she will cave to the socialists no matter the consequences for New Yorkers," Tannousis stated.