Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) announced plans on Thursday to send millions in state funding to local governments, arguing the move is warranted to alleviate “fiscal stress.” 

Hochul said she is sending an additional $150 million in financial assistance for municipalities outside New York City, including Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers, Niagara Falls, Utica, Albany, and Troy. The development comes after the governor rejected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s proposal to hike taxes on the rich, which he billed as essential to offset a $5.4 billion budget shortfall. Hochul said earlier this month that Mamdani’s plan was not “necessary” and has expressed concern about raising property taxes in an effort to close fiscal gaps.