NYC Mayor Mamdani Faces Backlash Over Inheritance Tax Hike

GOP candidate Bruce Blakeman to criticize plan that could impact middle class

Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:50am

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing pushback from Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman over a proposed increase to the inheritance tax. Blakeman plans to visit the city today to condemn Mamdani's tax hike, which the GOP candidate claims would unfairly target the middle class. Meanwhile, incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul is in Albany as the state budget deadline approaches.

Why it matters

The inheritance tax is a politically charged issue, with proponents arguing it helps address wealth inequality but opponents claiming it unfairly burdens families. Mamdani's proposal could become a flashpoint in the upcoming gubernatorial race between Blakeman and Hochul.

The details

Blakeman, the Republican candidate for New York governor, is scheduled to visit New York City today to criticize Mayor Mamdani's plan to significantly raise the inheritance tax. The mayor's proposal aims to increase revenue, but Blakeman argues it would disproportionately impact the middle class. As the April 1 state budget deadline approaches, Governor Hochul remains in Albany working on the final negotiations.

  • Blakeman will be in New York City today to address the inheritance tax issue.
  • The New York state budget deadline is April 1.

The players

Bruce Blakeman

The Republican candidate for New York governor who plans to criticize Mayor Mamdani's inheritance tax proposal.

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who has proposed increasing the inheritance tax.

Kathy Hochul

The incumbent Democratic governor of New York who is working on the state budget in Albany.

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What they’re saying

“We must not allow the middle class to be unfairly burdened by this tax hike.”

— Bruce Blakeman, Republican Gubernatorial Candidate

What’s next

The New York state budget must be passed by April 1, so negotiations between Mamdani, Blakeman, and Hochul will continue in the coming days.

The takeaway

The inheritance tax debate has become a political flashpoint, with the competing visions of Mamdani and Blakeman highlighting the broader tensions around wealth inequality and tax policy in New York.