Hochul’s budget ‘victory’ leaves New York trapped in a downward spiral

Gov. Kathy Hochul set modest goals — some OK, some bad — for her budget this year, and eventually achieved most of them, but the bottom line leaves New York still solidly on track for continued decline.

That is: She didn’t even try to alter a course she herself has said harms all of us.

Without question, her monster $268.5 billion tax-and-spend deal with the Legislature on balance will make life in New York worse.

Rather than ease the state’s nation-leading tax burden or narrow its $27 billion cash shortfall through 2030, the deal recklessly ratchets up spending another $14.5 billion, or 5.4%.

And while everyone assumed Hochul would break her no-new-taxes vow after the November election, she couldn’t wait: The deal adds a steep surcharge on New York City pieds-à-terre assessed at as little as $1 million, among other new taxes.

Hochul also leaves taxpayers on the hook for caving in to unions by erasing reforms meant to rein in pension costs for public employees hired after 2012 (Tier 6 workers).

These employees will now get a break on what they must contribute to their pension plans and more credit for overtime. Plus, teachers will get to retire at 58 rather than 63.

Hochul’s bailout of New York City (which is far wealthier than the rest of the state) may set a record for irresponsibility.

It delivers billions to Gotham, some thanks to her pied-à-terre surcharge, rather than force Mayor Zohran Mamdani to keep his spending in line with revenue.

Worse, it lets the city defer billions in required pension-fund payments, letting Mamdani spend more now at the price of adding billions to the city’s bills long after this gov and mayor are out of office.

Hochul bought Hizzoner’s support for her reelection bid at the cost of future taxpayers.

The deal is also a gift to people in America illegally, including those who have committed violent crimes; they get extra protection from federal immigration officials.

Yes, the gov won modest reforms to curb auto-insurance premiums, including measures to cap some outrageous payouts and fraudulent claims.

But in perspective, it’s small-ball: The Citizen’s Budget Commission put the consumer savings at about 10%, meaning average New Yorkers will pay “only” $1,100 more than average US drivers, instead of $1,500 more.

Ditto for softening the state’s disastrous climate mandates, which Hochul admits are unaffordable.

She won essentially no help to New Yorkers: Rather than cut greenhouse-gas emissions 40% by 2030, the state will now have to cut them 60% by 2040.

That won’t ease rising costs much, if at all, and any relief will vanish a few years later anyway.

Hochul may have won a few crumbs for average New Yorkers, but she’s letting them continue to suffer under the boot of special-interest avarice and progressive insanity.

Such is her idea of “affordability.”