From sky-high gas prices to staggering healthcare rates and ever-increasing housing costs, Donald Trump’s economic agenda is wreaking havoc on American pockets. Recent studies show that consumer sentiment is near all-time lows as Americans struggle to adapt to Trump’s wrecking-ball policies.
With less than a month to go until the general election, it’s clear that affordability will be top of mind for millions of Americans heading to the polls. If you’re a New Yorker like me who’s worried about the cost of living, the choice for governor is clear: vote Kathy Hochul.
From Brooklyn to Buffalo, Governor Hochul is putting money back in our pockets and helping protect New Yorkers from the worst of Donald Trump’s chaos.
While Bruce Blakeman piggybacks off Trump’s failed agenda, Governor Hochul is tackling the affordability crisis head-on. Her inflation refund checks delivered a boost for over 8 million households, providing New York families with up to $400 per household. Soon, families across the state will also receive up to $200 in direct utility bill relief via energy rebate checks. And, as part of this year’s state budget, Governor Hochul tripled the Child Tax Credit, providing families up to $1,000 per child under the age of four and up to $500 for school-aged children.
On housing, the differences between Governor Hochul and Blakeman couldn’t be more clear. Governor Hochul has been leading the charge with her “Let Them Build” agenda that is investing hundreds of millions of dollars to build new affordable homes. She’s cutting red tape and creating new incentives to build more affordable homes all across the Empire State.
We already have results that New Yorkers should be proud of: housing and infrastructure development is moving faster, and billions in investment have been driven into lowering its costs. Altogether, Governor Hochul’s five-year Housing Plan is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes.
Bruce Blakeman, on the other hand, loves to tout that the median home price in Nassau County has reached a high of $850,000 during his time as County Executive – skyrocketing by $250,000 on his watch. Blakeman often points to this figure as proof his county is thriving, saying that he’s “proud” of those rising costs.
It’s clear to me that, if elected, Blakeman will bring his record of NIMBYism statewide—hampering the construction of much-needed housing and creating even more pressure on the housing market.
Simply put, Bruce Blakeman is not serious about lowering costs. Instead, Blakeman is running on bringing “Trump-style leadership” to this state, vowing to “never be disloyal” to Trump, and calling himself “MAGA all the way.” He’s also repeatedly backed Trump’s tariffs, minimizing the pain they are bringing to small businesses and farmers across the state.
New York doesn’t need Trump 2.0. We cannot allow Bruce Blakeman to bring Trump’s disastrous economic agenda to New York.
Under Gov. Hochul’s steady leadership, New York State just had the fastest-growing economy in the entire nation during the second quarter of 2026. The governor’s economic agenda is unlocking new jobs, attracting investment, and revitalizing commercial corridors across the state.
Gov. Hochul has her eye on the ball, and she is committed to making life more affordable for New Yorkers.
Let’s keep the momentum going and send Gov. Hochul back to the Executive Chamber next month.
Antonio Reynoso is the Brooklyn Borough President.
