Governor Kathy Hochul's proposal to send $300 checks to single New Yorkers earning under $150,000 and families earning under $300,000 is facing criticism from fellow Democrats. Lawmakers argue that the $3 billion expenditure only addresses symptoms of a larger economic problem, primarily the high cost of living in New York. Some lawmakers suggest reallocating funds towards more impactful initiatives like educational programs or tax relief, stating that checks are not a sustainable solution. While some support the idea of direct payments, others remain cautious about its effectiveness in the long term.
"The checks address a symptom of the problem rather than the problem itself," state Sen. James Skoufis (D-Orange) told The Post. "We need to address the fundamental issues that drive the high cost of living in New York - these checks fail to do that."
"I would prefer to do other things to help working class New Yorkers," Assemblyman Harvey Epstein (D-Manhattan) said.
"Everybody likes a check," Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes told The Post, declining to comment further.
"I think people generally don't mind getting money in the mail and I don't think my constituents are going to object to it," Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Queens) told The Post.
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