New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision to spend $2 billion of her recently enacted budget on one-time inflation refund checks is facing pushback from within her own party, with some Albany Democrats calling the plan a political stunt ahead of next year’s governor’s race.

“New Yorkers know a gimmick when they see one,” state Sen. James Skoufis, a Hudson Valley Democrat, said, according to The New York Times.

The checks, which will go out to approximately eight million New York households, will reportedly range from $150 to $400. Individual filers making less than $150,000 will qualify for $150 or $200 checks, while married joint filers who earn up to $300,000 will qualify for $300 or $400 payments. The limits were calculated using adjusted gross income from 2023.

Read more at Newsmax© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.