New York Governor Kathy Hochul has publicly urged affluent residents, including those who relocated to Florida, to return to the Empire State, a move that contrasts with her previous rhetoric and comes amid a pushback against proposals to increase income taxes on high earners. Simultaneously, former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio made notable admissions regarding the "defund the police" movement and the Biden administration's handling of the southern border during an appearance on Sean Hannity’s new podcast. These developments highlight evolving political dynamics and policy debates within New York and beyond.
Governor Hochul's remarks were delivered at a Politico-hosted forum, where she addressed concerns about New York's eroding tax base and the competitive pressures from states with lower tax burdens. "Maybe the first step should be go down to Palm Beach and see who we can bring back home because our tax base has been eroded," Hochul stated, acknowledging the fiscal challenges facing the state. She further elaborated, "I have to look at the fact that we are in competition with other states who have less of a tax burden on their corporations and their individuals."
This current appeal to the wealthy marks a significant shift from sentiments she expressed during her 2022 gubernatorial campaign. At that time, she directed pointed criticism at Republican figures, including then-Representative Lee Zeldin, then-Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, and President Donald Trump. During the campaign, Hochul notably stated, "Trump and Zeldin and Molinaro – just jump on a bus and head down to Florida where you belong. OK? Get out of town. Because you don’t represent our values."
Now, with her re-election campaign slated for November 2026, Governor Hochul has been actively making a case to high-income earners for their continued presence and contributions to the state's economy. This stance places her in opposition to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and a coalition of left-leaning lawmakers, who advocate for increasing income taxes on wealthy residents. Mayor Mamdani argues that such revenue is essential to fund critical city priorities and address a projected $5.4 billion budget deficit. However, Governor Hochul has resisted these demands, maintaining that the state can fulfill its financial obligations with existing revenue. "We have to be smart about this, but we can fund what we want to fund with what we already are taking in," she affirmed. The ongoing debate underscores the delicate balance state leaders must strike between progressive policy goals and economic realities.
Meanwhile, in a separate but equally significant development, former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio engaged in a candid discussion with Sean Hannity on the recently launched podcast, "Hang Out with Sean Hannity." De Blasio, who served as mayor from 2014 to 2021, a period marked by intense debates over policing policy, offered a retrospective on the "defund the police" movement that gained traction following racial justice protests in 2020.
Sitting with Hannity, de Blasio admitted, "In retrospect, the whole concept of ‘defund the police’ made no sense." He elaborated that the conversation should have focused on improving policing and investing in youth, rather than reducing police budgets. "It made sense to say, ‘how can we do better?’ It made sense to say, hey — and by the way, a lot of cops told me this. A lot of police leaders told me this — we’ve got to do a lot more for young people to give them positive alternatives, because that’s good for the police too. That’s good safety too." Hannity expressed surprise at the convergence of views, remarking, "We’re not disagreeing, right? This is amazing." De Blasio unequivocally concluded, "So defund was a mistake. And I understand where it came from, but it was a mistake."
The former mayor extended his admissions beyond policing, addressing the Biden administration's immigration policies, an area where he found "common ground" with Hannity. "I don’t like what Biden did with the border," de Blasio stated directly. When pressed about his previous silence on the issue, de Blasio attributed it to a delayed recognition of the problem's severity. "Because honestly, I didn’t think it was as bad as it was. And then, when I saw it during Biden’s time, that he was able to reverse course in that final year and tighten up the border — no, I mean, that’s the irony."
Hannity challenged de Blasio, arguing that any shift in enforcement policy by the Biden administration came too late, after significant numbers of migrants had already arrived in cities like New York. De Blasio acknowledged the overall failure, stating, "Something changed. Obviously, something changed." He then broadened his critique to include his own political party, asserting, "We, as Democrats, rightfully deserve that critique." These admissions from a prominent figure on the political left signal a potential re-evaluation of strategies and rhetoric within the Democratic party on key issues of public safety and immigration. Both Hochul's evolving stance on taxation and de Blasio's admissions reflect a broader political landscape grappling with public priorities and policy effectiveness.
