Upstate lawmakers push luxury-second-home tax beyond NYC

Upstate Democratic lawmakers want to extend Gov. Hochul’s pied-à-terre tax on luxury NYC second homes to outlying areas, proposing a lower $2.5 million threshold and directing half of the revenue to AIM funding for struggling municipalities. While some upstate Democrats privately back broader taxation of vacant luxury properties, many are hesitant to publicly endorse a new tax amid ongoing budget talks, as cities like Buffalo and Albany face deficits and lawmakers debate implementation details.