Ahead of Gov. Kathy Hochul sending out utility rebate checks, on Tuesday, September 15, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman, Assembly candidate Tom Sullivan, Councilwoman Joann Ariola and others gathered outside of Brothers in Howard Beach to address the affordability crisis in the state. They were joined by homeowners who are frustrated over Hochul’s attempt to address high costs. “What is she giving us? Peanuts! We get back peanuts. We give her thousands of dollars, and this is what we get,” Blakeman said. “Wouldn’t you rather have $5,000 in your account than $100?”
“No matter where I go in this district, Ozone Park, Howard Beach, Lindenwood, down to the Rockaway peninsula, the issue that gets talked about most is affordability. New York State does not have an income problem. They have a spending problem,” Sullivan said. “Take a look at your cell phone bill, your electric bill, your gas bill, any bill, and that a look at the number of taxes, surcharges. Everybody is getting their share. New York is the number one tax-burdened state at 15.9%. We have a spending problem.”
