In response to the release of Governor Hochul’s executive budget proposal for fiscal 2027, the Empire Center issued the following comment:

“It should go without saying that rejecting further tax hikes – in what’s already the most heavily taxed state in the country – was the right thing for Governor Hochul to do.

“Her proposals to streamline the regulatory process for housing construction and cracking down on auto insurance fraud are also welcome ideas that would make the state more affordable.

“Unfortunately, her plan would also continue a pattern of excessive spending growth, especially an 11.5 percent increase in Medicaid. This being an election year, the state legislators will almost certainly push to hike taxes and increase spending even more. Taxpayers can only hope that the governor imposes a modicum of discipline.”

–Bill Hammond, senior fellow

The Empire Center, based in Albany, is an independent, not-for-profit, non-partisan think tank dedicated to promoting policies that can make New York a better place to live, work and raise a family.

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