Hochul Pushes Free Childcare While Allies Propose Massive $9 Billion Tax Hike on New Yorkers

Governor Kathy Hochul is championing a so-called “free” childcare initiative for New York City, pitching it as a major win for working families. But behind the scenes, progressive lawmakers are setting the stage for massive tax hikes to fund the ever-expanding reach of government.

This latest push is backed by far-left Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, who is proposing a staggering $9 billion in new taxes as part of the “Raise Up NY” plan — a package that includes higher income taxes on top earners and businesses. The plan would impact New Yorkers across the board, driving up costs for employers and encouraging high-income earners and job creators to continue fleeing the state.

The tax proposal comes at a time when New York is already losing residents and businesses due to high costs, heavy regulation, and rising crime. Instead of easing the burden, the state’s progressive leadership is doubling down on redistribution schemes that depend on extracting more and more from taxpayers to fund massive social programs.

Governor Hochul’s childcare expansion is being sold as “universal” and “free,” but there’s no such thing as free — it’s simply shifting the cost onto already-squeezed taxpayers. Critics say it’s a political move aimed at appeasing her left flank, which continues to pull Albany’s policies further toward democratic socialism.

Assemblyman Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, frames the tax hike as a way to “lift up” New Yorkers, but in reality, it’s another wealth-transfer strategy that punishes productivity and undermines economic growth. Under the “Raise Up NY” plan, the top marginal tax rate in New York would soar — making it one of the highest in the country.

Many conservative leaders argue that New York should be focused on lowering taxes, cutting spending, and fostering an environment where families and businesses can thrive — not chasing wealthy residents out the door with punitive fiscal policies.

If the Hochul-Mamdani agenda moves forward, it could further entrench New York as a cautionary tale: a once-prosperous state bogged down by progressive overreach, runaway spending, and an ever-growing tax burden that threatens to crush the very people it's supposed to help.