Bruce Blakeman took aim at Gov. Kathy Hochul over the pied-a-terre tax, calling the rollout a mistake after a judge paused the levy.
Bruce Blakeman used a Queens campaign stop to make the pied-a-terre tax a fresh flashpoint in the race for governor, accusing Gov. Kathy Hochul of failing to lead her own party and blasting the new levy on luxury second homes. Blakeman, the Nassau County executive and Republican gubernatorial candidate, spoke Tuesday in Flushing as the fight over the tax intensified after a Staten Island judge temporarily froze it.
The tax applies to non-primary residences valued at more than $5 million and condos worth more than $1 million. Blakeman called the policy rollout “horrible” and said New York should be encouraging investment in second homes rather than pushing it away. He pledged to change the policy if elected. He also argued that Hochul is following the direction of Zohran Mamdani, saying, “She’s doing everything that Zohran Mamdani wants her to do, ‘cause he’s running the party now.”
The governor tried to put distance between herself and the controversy a day earlier during an unrelated appearance in the Bronx. Hochul said, “We’re not responsible for the rollout,” and added that the administration had discussed the matter with the city ahead of time. She said the responsibility rests with the city tax department. Blakeman dismissed that defense as a familiar pattern, saying Hochul blames others for her own failures and calling New York “the most overtaxed state.”
The dispute landed in the middle of a broader political battle over taxes and housing in New York. The pied-a-terre tax, aimed at high-end secondary homes, became law with Hochul’s signature after being pushed by Mamdani, and it was halted only after the judge issued a temporary restraining order through the end of the month. That pause gave opponents new momentum and gave Hochul a fresh line of attack from Republicans who say the state already drives away investment with its tax burden.
“Bruce Blakeman took aim at Gov. Kathy Hochul over the pied-a-terre tax, calling the rollout a mistake after a judge paused the levy.”
Blakeman has tied that argument to his larger campaign message. He said New York should not make it harder for people to buy or keep second homes, and he framed the levy as part of a pattern of policies that he believes punish property owners. The issue also fits into a wider debate over who controls state politics, with Blakeman portraying Hochul as weak and suggesting Mamdani, not the governor, is calling the shots inside the Democratic Party.
Blakeman also used the event to signal where he stands on immigration enforcement. He said he is talking with lawyers about New York’s recent sanctuary state law, which requires local governments to end partnerships with immigration officials. Nassau County has an active cooperation agreement with ICE, and Blakeman said he would obey the law if it is upheld, even if he disagrees with it.
The fight over the pied-a-terre tax now sits at the intersection of taxes, housing, and state authority, all issues that shape New York’s business climate and political direction. For voters, the clash offers an early look at how Blakeman would govern and how he plans to use Hochul’s tax record against her. The takeaway for Americans is simple: New York’s tax fight is becoming a bigger test of who controls the state and who bears the cost.
Frequently asked questions
What tax is at the center of the dispute?
It is the pied-a-terre tax on luxury second homes. It applies to non-primary residences worth more than $5 million and condos worth more than $1 million.
What did the judge do about the tax?
A Staten Island judge issued a temporary restraining order that paused the levy until the end of the month.
How did Hochul respond to the criticism?
Hochul said her administration was not responsible for the rollout and said the city tax department handled it.
What else did Blakeman say he would challenge?
He said he is looking at ways to defy New York’s recent sanctuary state law, while also saying he would follow the law if it is upheld.
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