All posts tagged "kathy hochul"

Trump trolled with mocking $250 bill design after his latest Oval Office nap

One of President Donald Trump's foes, New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, poked fun at the president, who was seen falling asleep in the Oval Office this week — using the moment to suggest a potential design for his $250 bill with his face on it.

Hochul's press office shared an image on X of Trump with his eyes closed on a mockup, following reports that Trump supporters have been pushing to put his face on a banknote ahead of the nation's 250th birthday.

Trump told reporters on Thursday that he was "honored by it."

People had a hilarious response to the sketch online.

"The President wants to put his face on the $250 bill. That requires a vote of Congress. I would vote YES to authorize the below design," Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) wrote on X.

"I paid for my ticket to Weekend at Bernie's with this bill," longtime boxing publicist Fred Sternburg, who has more than 10,000 followers, wrote on X.

"Most large bills like that are used by con artists, drug dealers, tax evaders or money smugglers. So go forth with his face on it," Ezra Mannix Communications & Outreach Manager for the Middle East Institute, wrote on X.

"Put him behind bars and people will be lining up for that little token of American history," user Cherylkartist, a frequent progressive commentator who has more than 10,000 followers, wrote on X.

https://t.co/RCrYkFz12u pic.twitter.com/dS7U2NVmEa
— Governor Hochul Press Office (@NYGovPress) June 4, 2026

'Tom Homan can shove it': NY lawmakers send defiant message with new ICE restrictions

New York lawmakers want the Trump administration to know they're not scared as they doubled down on restrictions for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to a new report.

"Tom Homan can shove it," Democratic New York state Sen. Andrew Gounardes told reporters in reference to Trump's border czar, according to reporting by Politico.

The remark is a defiant shot back at Homan, who called out New York at a border security expo earlier this month. Homan threatened to 'flood the zone' with ICE agents if the state passes legislation limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Gounardes joined with other New York Democratic lawmakers to approve a package of new restrictions on ICE operations in their state, Politico reported. Gov. Kathy Hochul backed the package, which passed the legislature on Thursday.

One of the new laws would even limit the NYPD and other local law enforcement from helping ICE with crowd control if it comes to New York to roll out operations like what was seen in Minnesota earlier this year, according to Politico.

Another law bans ICE agents, and federal and local law enforcement broadly, from wearing masks and creates a list of "sensitive" locations that ICE can't enter without a judicial warrant, Politico added.

Stop coddling these selfish elites — they're bluffing

On Tuesday, New York City’s new mayor Zohran Mamdani proposed raising property taxes in the city by nearly 10 percent — if he can’t persuade New York Governor Kathy Hochul to raise income taxes on the wealthy. She’s been reluctant.

In California, meanwhile, Google co-founder Sergei Brin along with former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and other billionaires are financing several voter initiatives to limit the creation of a new billionaire tax in California. California Governor Gavin Newsom is also against it.

Why are the governors of the most progressive and richest states in America so unenthusiastic about raising taxes on the wealthiest of the wealthy?

The kindest answer is they’re worried that the rich will abandon their states. (The unkinder is that they’re in the pockets of said rich.)

Governors Hochul and Newsom: Don’t worry about raising taxes on the rich.

True, a few rich people may abandon New York or California if taxes on them are raised, but evidence suggests the vast majority will stay put.

When billionaire New York mayor Mike Bloomberg faced a budget deficit in his first term, he raised property taxes by 18.5 percent. Rich New Yorkers threatened to leave. Most did not.

A graph from the “Citizens Budget Commission” (financed by rich New Yorkers) purports to show New York’s “shrinking share” of the nation’s millionaires — from 12.7 percent in 2010 to 8.7 in 2022 — as evidence New Yorkers are fleeing high taxes.

But that “shrinking share” isn’t due to New Yorkers fleeing; it’s because a growing number of millionaires are being hatched in Texas, Florida, and California.

A study by the Fiscal Policy Institute found no significant out-migration by wealthy residents of New York state in response to tax increases in either 2017 or 2021. The latter tax increase is estimated to have raised approximately $3.6 billion annually. Since then, the number of wealthy in New Yorkers has increased.

When Massachusetts passed its “millionaire’s tax” in 2022, rich residents of the Bay State threatened to leave. They didn’t. Instead, the state has collected $5.7 billion in additional revenue, while the number of millionaires in the state has grown, according to a study by People’s Policy Project.

After New Jersey raised its top tax rates, researchers found little out-migration among millionaires. The measure generated substantial revenue.

Other research examined 45 million U.S. tax filings of families or individuals with over $1 million in income. It shows that affluent households are even less likely to move to another state than middle-income or poor households.

Why are the rich staying put, even though their taxes are being raised? Because they’re rich! They can afford to stay put.

Most people don’t want to move — either because their friends or parents or children live in the vicinity, or they don’t want to disrupt the education of their younger children, or they have networks of business associates and clients in the area, or they like the cultural amenities, or they don’t want the legal and administrative hassles of moving.

Most people move because they have to. Their employer tells them they must. Or the best job they can get forces them to. Or they they have to take care of a sick parent. Or their own aging bodies can no longer abide the cold.

But the rich don’t have to move. The Fiscal Policy Institute study previously mentioned shows that in 2023, earners in the top 1 percent migrated out of New York less frequently than those in all other income groups.

New York’s and California’s super-rich are richer than they’ve ever been; the wealth they’ve amassed is larger than any group of Americans has ever possessed; they don’t know what to do with all their money. The taxes they would pay under the proposals put forward are infinitesimally small, almost rounding errors, compared to their fortunes.

Yes, PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel (who financed JD Vance’s senate run) has abandoned California, complaining about the billionaire tax. So have venture capitalist David Sacks (now Trump’s “czar” for crypto and AI), Elon Musk, and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg (who reportedly bought a mansion in Miami).

But the question must be asked: is California really that much worse for losing Thiel, Musk, and Zuckerberg?

Maybe raising taxes on the super-rich not only provides critically-needed tax revenue but also acts as a kind of disinfectant, purging a city or state of a few of its most noxious and socially-irresponsible inhabitants. Another reason to do so!

Robert Reich is an emeritus professor of public policy at Berkeley and former secretary of labor. His writings can be found at https://robertreich.substack.com/. His new memoir, Coming Up Short, can be found wherever you buy books. You can also support local bookstores nationally by ordering the book at bookshop.org

‘Pathetic’: Elise Stefanik hit with blistering rebuke on CNN over post-shooting smear

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) clapped back when confronted with comments by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) in the wake of the Manhattan mass shooting that claimed the lives of an NYPD police officer and four others.

Stefanik has said she intends to run for governor in the future, but was not ready to make an announcement quite yet.

CNN's Manu Raju read Stefanik's social media posts following the tragedy. She aimed at both Hochul and New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, calling him "Kathy Hochul’s very own Commie Mamdani" for participating in the 2020 "Defund the Police" campaign.

"We cannot allow radical anti-police dangerous policies to continue to make it less safe for families especially law enforcement officers in New York," Stefanik wrote.

"That's about as pathetic as it gets," said a disgusted Hochul. "I mean, seriously — going after an unelected official who said something back in 2020 when many people were — I mean, come on, give me a break.

"Ask her the question: What are you doing to make your constituents safe?" Hochul said, referring to Stefanik's support of President Donald Trump's Big Beautiful Bill.

"You don't mind taking away their health care. You don't mind education cuts. You don't mind nutrition cuts. You don't mind hurting your farmers. Like, why don't you have some spine and stand up for the people who put you in your spot? And so, that's what I'm looking for. People to not be deflecting. Stand up to the gun lobby and show that you have the courage to do something that's actually pretty useful, instead of just complaining about tweets."

When asked if she supported Mamdani, a democratic socialist who won the Democratic primary for mayor, Hochul deferred to the grieving families of those who were lost on Monday evening.

"I'm sorry, you know, we're not talking politics. This is not the time and place for it," Hochul said. "It's about action and showing compassion and empathy for people's lives who are forever destroyed. And a new baby on the way, who's never going to know the baby's father? I mean, this is what I'm thinking about today, not politics."

NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, 36, was killed in the mass shooting, leaving behind a wife, two children, and an unborn child.

Watch the clip below via CNN.

'How dare they?' NY governor hits back at official's arrest with profane post

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) shared some choice words following the arrest of New York City comptroller and Democratic mayoral candidate Brad Lander by federal immigration authorities for allegedly "assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer."

Hochul posted to her official X account Tuesday afternoon, "This is bull----."

Hochul reiterated the sentiment during a news conference that was also posted to X.

“You want to know what I really think? It’s bull----. How dare they take an elected official who’s been going down there for weeks to escort people who are afraid to walk into a courthouse in the United States of America. What the hell is happening to this country?”

Lander was arrested by ICE agents on Tuesday outside an immigration hearing at 26 Federal Plaza in Midtown Manhattan.

After the arrest, the Department of Homeland Security's X account posted, "No one is above the law, and if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will face consequences. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander was arrested for assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer."The post was in response to a May 30, 2024, post on Lander's account that said, "No one is above the law."

President Donald Trump has vowed to crack down on immigration in large, Democratic run cities he has dubbed "blue cities."

Trump made the announcement over the weekend, posting to Truth Social, "These Radical Left Democrats are sick of mind, hate our Country, and actually want to destroy our Inner Cities — And they are doing a good job of it! There is something wrong with them."

Politico's Jeff Coltin posted video of Hochul escorting Lander out of the federal building some four hours after the arrest.

'Look at the facts!' Governor hits back as Republican hurls accusations

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) accused Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) of grandstanding during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on sanctuary policies for undocumented migrants.

During the contentious line of questioning Thursday, an aggressive Stefanik berated Hochul for "prioritizing far-left sanctuary policies" over advocating for victims of violent crimes at the hands of undocumented migrants.

Stefanik listed off "high-profile cases" involving migrants in the country illegally, and she detailed their alleged crimes that included child rape and murder.

"Let's talk about Sebastian Zapata Khalil. Do you know who that is?" Stefanik asked.

When Hochul said she didn't have specifics, Stefanik continued, "Well, this is an illegal migrant in New York because of your sanctuary state policies. Do you know what crime he committed?"

"I'm not familiar at this moment," Hochul answered.

"I bet you're going to be familiar when I remind you," Stefanik snapped. "He found a sleeping woman on the subway, lit her on fire, and burned her alive. This is in Kathy Hochul's New York."

Stefanik continued to list off names and crimes, saying, "It's one of many reasons why you're hemorrhaging support from hard-working New Yorkers."

Hochul interjected, "These are horrific crimes and they're heartbreaking," before Stefanik interrupted.

"They're horrific crimes that are committed on your watch," Stefanik said. "You signed this executive order on your first day in office. You signed it again and again this January. We deserve a governor who stands up for law-abiding New Yorkers, doesn't put illegals first, but puts New Yorkers first."

Hochul then struck back, asserting, "Rather than going after the viral moment, I suggest you look at the facts."

Stefanik repeated that Hochul was promoting "far-left sanctuary policies," while Hochul repeated, "We cooperate with ICE, we cooperate with law enforcement."

Watch the clip below via CBS News on YouTube.

'You're hired': Democratic governors implement initiatives to lure fired federal workers

Federal workers fired by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency may find their professional futures lay in blue states where Democratic governors are rolling out the welcome mat, NBC News reported.

"In light of the thousands of federal job cuts doled out by President Donald Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk via the Department of Government Efficiency, a growing number of governors, mostly Democrats, have begun trying to woo those employees to apply for state government jobs. Others have promoted private sector opportunities and other resources available for those who are newly in the job market," wrote reporter Adam Edelman.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) dubbed the effort the "You're Hired" initiative. Her office put together a job board of open New York state positions, NBC reported, and she announced in a video, "The federal government might say, ‘You’re fired,’ but here in New York, we say, ‘You’re hired.' We love federal workers. Whatever your skills, we value public service.”

ALSO READ: 'Gotta be kidding': Jim Jordan scrambles as he's confronted over Musk 'double standard'

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) signed an executive order last week for an "expedited hiring process for qualified federal workers." NBC reported, "The effort aims to provide such candidates who’ve applied for Hawaii jobs with a conditional job offer within two weeks of their application submission."

Other blue states have launched programs "designed to provide them with resources to ease their unemployment," NBC reported.

At least one Republican governor has stepped up, according to the report. Although Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) has praised DOGE efforts to cut government waste, he launched a website called the “Federal Worker Resource Bundle,” with information about "applying for unemployment benefits, preparing for a job search, and understanding health care options."

"Come experience those powerful words of 'you are hired,'" Youngkin said at a news conference.

The New Yorker reported that "some 30,000 federal workers have been given notice since Elon Musk’s DOGE began its work in January, of a workforce of 2 million." Musk has said DOGE is aiming to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget.

Read the NBC News report here.

Multiple top NYC officials set to quit over Eric Adams scandal: report

At least four deputy mayors to Eric Adams are expected to resign amid fury over the Donald Trump administration's order to dismiss charges against the New York City leader, according to a new report.

The resignations would be the latest fallout following accusations that Adams was involved in a "quid pro quo" agreement with Trump to get rid of corruption charges in exchange for backing the president's immigration agenda.

Last week, seven federal prosecutors resigned as the Department of Justice dropped the corruption charges. The legal move came after Adams, a Democrat, publicly agreed to work with the Trump administration's efforts to rid New York City of undocumented migrants.

The New York Times reported that First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer, plus deputy mayors Meera Joshi, Anne Williams-Isom, and Chauncey Parker were all expected to tender their resignations in protest in the coming days.

Adams has been resisting calls for his resignation. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) has not said whether she will remove him from office.

Read The New York Times story, here.

The friendships forged in a Democratic women governors group chat

Originally published by The 19th. Subscribe to The 19th's daily newsletter.

In Meghan Meehan-Draper’s first years with the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), she noticed something startling: “We had more governors named John than we had governors who were women,” Meehan-Draper, now the executive director of the DGA, told The 19th.

A few years later, DGA launched the Women Governors Fund, which has put $80 million in Democratic women candidates in general elections. Since its start in 2018, the number of Democratic women governors has quadrupled.

The eight Democratic women leading their states — Maura Healey in Massachusetts, Katie Hobbs in Arizona, Kathy Hochul in New York, Laura Kelly in Kansas, Tina Kotek in Oregon, Michelle Lujan Grisham in New Mexico, Janet Mills in Maine and Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan — have changed what it means for women to win and hold executive office in the United States.

They’re a group marked by notable firsts, too. Three — Healey, Hochul, and Mills — are the first women to hold that office in their states. Lujan Grisham is the nation’s first Democratic Hispanic woman governor. Healey and Kotek are the first elected out lesbian governors in their states.

But what’s perhaps even more remarkable is the way the women in this group have made their relationships with one another a critical part of their own leadership. These eight women are actual friends. They call and text each other to check in and get advice. They get together for dinner — and bring their daughters. They turn to each other when they are going through something challenging and when they need to laugh.

The 19th interviewed Governors Healey, Hobbs, Hochul, Kelly, Lujan Grisham, Mills and Whitmer about their relationships with their peers, how they think about leadership, the issues that matter most to them, and how their families have shaped their work.

Most interviews were via phone; Mills’ responses are via email. Kotek declined to be interviewed. Interviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.

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