Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill last week expanding tax relief for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers — but her Republican opponent in the governor's race, Bruce Blakeman, apparently missed the memo.

The Hochul reelection campaign seized upon Blakeman's attack on Monday, accusing the incumbent of not signing the bill, two days after she actually put her pen to the legislation and made it law.

In a statement Monday , Blakeman "blasted" Hochul for what he called her failure to act on bipartisan legislation quadrupling the state income tax credit for volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services workers.

"Kathy Hochul is the most pro-criminal governor in America she rolls out the red carpet for criminals, yet when it comes to the heroes who run into burning buildings and keep our communities safe, she turns her back," Blakeman said.

He also warned of a recruitment and retention crisis among volunteer first responders, arguing that the expanded tax credit would help keep them on the job while accusing Hochul of being "nowhere to be found."

But his attack quickly backfired as Hochul's reelection campaign mocked the Nassau County executive for criticizing the governor over legislation she had already approved in his political backyard — the Hempstead Fire Department in Nassau County.

Hochul had already signed the legislation on Saturday, and her campaign wasted little time responding Monday. "Bruce Blakeman is out with a scathing new attack strategy: lie his ass off," the campaign said in an email. "Wow – what a slam. This legislation sounds like a great idea," the statement continued. "That's probably why the governor signed it two days ago." amNewYork has asked Blakeman's campaign whether it knew Hochul had signed the legislation before issuing Monday's statement and whether the candidate stood by his criticism. No response has yet been provided.

The legislation, A6790-A/S6233-A , increases the annual state income tax credit for eligible volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers from $200 to $800 for individuals and from $400 to $1,600 for eligible married couples.

The expanded credit takes effect in tax year 2027, allowing qualifying first responders to claim the benefit when filing their taxes in 2028. Under the law, volunteers can claim either the increased income tax credit or a qualifying local property tax exemption.

"Keeping New York safe and affordable is my highest priority. Today, I’m proud to sign into law a bill that recognizes the sacrifices that all volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers make," Hochul said in Saturday's announcement.

The legislation passed both chambers of the state Legislature earlier this year but was not delivered to the governor until Friday, Oct. 16 , one day before she signed it.

The increase is intended to help volunteer fire and ambulance departments struggling to recruit and retain members. Blakeman's campaign cited figures from the Firefighters Association of the State of New York showing a 33% decline in the state's volunteer firefighting ranks over the past two decades.

The association's president, Donald Farrell, praised Hochul in Saturday's announcement, saying the expanded benefit would help attract new volunteers. "Governor Hochul showed up for them. She listened to volunteers from every corner of this state, she understood what they were up against, and she made this tax credit a priority," Farrell said.

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