Blakeman: Hochul’s ‘Pants Are on Fire’ Over Taxes and Energy

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman is taking aim at Gov. Kathy Hochul’s latest campaign advertisement, accusing the Democratic incumbent of portraying tax and utility policies as cost-saving measures while New Yorkers continue to face higher expenses.

Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, responded to the ad with a “pants on fire” attack, arguing that Hochul’s claims of cutting taxes and holding utility companies accountable conflict with her record in Albany.

“When Kathy Hochul claims she cut your taxes while handing you an $8 billion tax hike, or brags about holding utility companies accountable after granting them 48 separate rate increases, her pants aren’t just on fire, they’re practically incinerated,” Blakeman said.

Blakeman called Hochul’s message a “classic bait-and-switch,” saying New Yorkers hear promises of lower costs in campaign advertising but see higher taxes and utility bills at home.

“When I’m Governor, we are extinguishing Hochul’s endless tax hikes, and when we say tax cuts, we will mean actual savings—just like I delivered in Nassau County, where I didn’t raise property taxes a single penny,” he said.

The clash comes as Hochul prepares to send $1 billion in one-time energy rebates to New Yorkers this fall, months before the November election. Critics call it a blatant attempt to buy votes at taxpayer expense.

At the same time, New York continues an aggressive transition away from fossil fuels under its climate policies, including electrification of buildings and increased reliance on renewable and zero-emission power.

Hochul’s plan to ban gas barbecues and force school buses and fire department vehicles to go all electric has become a major political target for Republicans, who argue that the cost of building new generation, transmission and electrification infrastructure is ultimately being pushed onto taxpayers. Hochul maintains that the transition will eventually reduce energy costs and that her administration is pursuing utility reforms and clean-energy investments designed to protect consumers.