Hochul’s budget aims more at pocketbook problems than Trump

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled a $252 billion executive budget Tuesday that appears intended to appease New Yorkers upset about the rising cost of living rather than respond to President Trump’s policies that could harm the state.

The proposed budget includes funding for about $1 billion in tax cuts for the middle class, $3 billion in rebate checks for millions of New Yorkers, $800 million for an expansion of the credit state child tax, $340 million for school meals for every student and nearly $60 million for more police on subway trains — all designed to address concerns about affordability, crime And the cost of living.

The spending plan represents an increase of nearly $8.6 billion over the current budget, largely due to sharp increases in Medicaid and education spending.

Perhaps most important is what Ms. Hochul’s budget didn’t include. She offered no contingency plans in case President Trump follows through on his promise to end congestion pricing, which would halt the flow of hundreds of millions of dollars a year to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority .

He also did not identify possible alternative funding sources in response to the Republican-led federal government’s likely desire to cut funds for social service programs such as the Affordable Care Act.

Ms. Hochul said Congress should be held accountable for the votes it receives and the programs it cuts. She particularly focused on the $10,000 cap on the amount of state and local taxes people could deduct from their federal income taxes. The governor wants the cap removed; Mr. Trump also came out against the cap.