BUFFALO, NY — Joseph Hernandez, Republican candidate for New York State Comptroller, today sharply criticized Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan’s proposed 25% property tax increase, warning it would force more residents out of a city already struggling with decades of population loss and economic decline.
The proposal comes as Buffalo officials consider overriding New York’s property tax cap to close a $109 million budget deficit, prompting strong concern from residents during recent public hearings who say they simply cannot afford another financial burden.
“Buffalo families are telling their leaders loud and clear at a public hearing held on Monday that they can’t afford this,” said Hernandez. “People are already stretched thin, and now they’re being asked to pay 25% more just to stay in their homes. That’s not leadership, that’s failing New Yorkers.”
Hernandez pointed to Buffalo’s long-term population decline where it has lost more than 40% of its residents over the past 50 years. He said it is a warning sign of what happens when economic conditions deteriorate and affordability disappears.
“This is exactly how you accelerate decline,” Hernandez said. “Buffalo has spent decades trying to rebuild and retain residents. A massive property tax hike like this will push even more families out the door. People just want to retire in their own homes and not have to move out of state to do so.”
He also warned that the increase would have a devastating ripple effect on small businesses, which serve as the backbone of Buffalo’s local economy.
“When you raise property taxes this dramatically, it doesn’t just hit homeowners, but it hits every small business owner trying to keep their doors open,” Hernandez said. “Higher costs mean layoffs, closures, and fewer opportunities.”
Hernandez emphasized that overriding the state’s property tax cap is not just a policy decision to balance a budget, it instead carries real oversight consequences.
“The property tax cap exists to protect taxpayers from exactly this kind of reckless budgeting,” Hernandez said. “If city leaders choose to break that cap, it will trigger scrutiny and potential audits from the State Comptroller’s Office. If elected, I will certainly audit the city of Buffalo if he breaks the property tax cap.”
Hernandez said the proposal reflects a broader, dangerous trend of politicians turning to tax hikes instead of addressing the root causes of budget shortfalls.
“Instead of doing the hard work by cutting waste, eliminating fraud, and prioritizing spending, politicians take the easy way out and go straight to taxpayers,” Hernandez continued. “It’s the same failed playbook we’re seeing from progressive leaders across New York.”
With New York already among the highest-taxed states in the country, Hernandez warned that proposals like Buffalo’s will only accelerate outmigration and economic instability.
“Buffalo deserves better than policies that drive people away,” Hernandez added. “As Comptroller, I will enforce accountability, and audit anyone who decides to raise the property tax above its cap.”