South Shore Press Endorsement: Bruce Blakeman for Governor

Kathy Hochul is the Worst Governor in America. We encourage voters to kick her to the curb and vote for Bruce Blakeman for Governor.

Spending is up. Taxes are up. Your utility bills are skyrocketing. Our state is unaffordable, and Hochul cares more about illegal immigrants than your family.

Since Kathy Hochul's first enacted budget in 2022, New York State spending has exploded from $220.5 billion to $277 billion. That's a staggering $56.5 billion increase, or nearly 26%, in just four years. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli now warns of $31.8 billion in projected cumulative budget gaps.

The state also committed $4.4 billion for illegal immigrants, including emergency shelter and related assistance.

Meanwhile, 134,913 taxpayers hit the road and left New York in 2024.

An Empire Center survey found 67% of respondents believed New York taxpayers weren't receiving good value. Another 64% supported eliminating the state income tax.

Those findings should alarm anyone responsible for Albany's finances. The buck stops with Governor Hochul,

Enter Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

In addition to his pledge to cut taxes, our neighboring County Executive promised on "Day One" to end New York's Sanctuary State status.

Blakeman's proposed $35 billion income tax reduction would eliminate state income taxes on the first $50,000 of individual earnings and $100,000 for married couples filing jointly.

He proposes cutting property taxes 10%, returning $2.4 billion in unspent energy funds to ratepayers and expanding natural gas and nuclear energy production.

His promise to cut utility bills in half is ambitious and welcomed compared to Kathy Hochul's ill-guided mission to ban gas stoves in newly constructed homes and businesses.

Blakeman also points to Nassau County's public safety ranking as being the "Safest County in America," expanded police hiring and his opposition to sanctuary policies.

New York families are being squeezed between rising bills, higher taxes, devotion to illegal immigrants, and a Governor that keeps spending more and more.

On her failed watch, illegal immigrants live like kings while Suffolk County taxpayers who foot the bill are treated like paupers.

Parents shouldn't have to watch their children leave the state to afford a future. You shouldn't be forced to FaceTime or hop on a plane to see your kids or grandkids.

Seniors shouldn't fear losing the homes they worked a lifetime to own.

New York State is on the precipice of prosperity over peril.

The solution is simple: fire Hochul, hire Blakeman, Save New York.