Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman unveiled a sweeping tax proposal Tuesday that he says would effectively eliminate New York state income taxes for millions of middle- and working-class households.

The Nassau County executive’s proposal would provide a state tax credit covering the first $100,000 of household income for married couples filing jointly, and the first $50,000 for individual filers, according to the New York Post.

Under the plan, households earning above those thresholds would still receive the benefit on their first $100,000 or $50,000 of income, respectively.

Blakeman is pitching the proposal as a way to dramatically reduce New York’s high cost of living and stem the departure of residents to lower-tax states.

“We need to make New York affordable again,” Blakeman said in announcing the proposal.

The plan would require approval from the state Legislature and would have significant implications for Albany’s finances, since the personal income tax is one of New York State’s largest revenue sources.

Blakeman is challenging Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul in November’s gubernatorial election, making taxes and affordability a central issue in the campaign. Hochul has also emphasized affordability initiatives during her term, while Democrats have argued that major reductions in state revenue could threaten funding for government programs and services.

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