Senate Republicans are calling on Kathy Hochul to withdraw a proposed $1.5 billion financial package for New York City, arguing the funding would unfairly shift the city’s fiscal problems onto taxpayers statewide.
In a letter sent this week, Rob Ortt, leader of the New York State Senate Republican Conference, and other Republican senators urged the governor to reconsider the plan, which she announced as part of her 30-day state budget amendments.
Republicans said the proposal amounts to a “bailout” for the city and criticized local leaders for what they describe as years of overspending and costly policy decisions. They contend taxpayers outside the city should not be responsible for covering New York City’s budget shortfalls.
Ortt said the state should not provide additional funding while the city moves forward with a spending plan he characterized as excessive.
Several GOP senators from across the state echoed that message, including Jake Ashby, George Borrello, Pam Helming, Joseph Griffo, Tom O’Mara, Anthony Palumbo and others. They said the money could instead be used for tax relief, infrastructure, energy costs and other statewide priorities.
The lawmakers also pointed to a proposed $127 billion city budget from Zohran Mamdani, which would increase spending by roughly $10 billion over the previous year, as evidence that the city should address its own finances rather than seek state assistance.
In their letter, the senators argued that any additional aid should come with stronger fiscal controls and accountability measures, and warned that approving the funding could set a precedent for future bailouts.
