Several economic experts panned New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s "inflation refunds" she plans to distribute to qualifying New Yorkers as part of her 2025 State of the State initiative.
Last week, Hochul proposed $3 billion in direct payments to about half of the Empire State’s 19 million residents: $300 for single taxpayers making up to $150,000 per year and $500 for joint filers making twice that.
"Because of inflation, New York has generated unprecedented revenues through the sales tax — now, we're returning that cash back to middle class families," Hochul said in a statement announcing the proposal.
However, some economists and economic experts, like Andy Puzder, said the move simply "redistributes [money] to people so the people will vote for them."