01/05/2026
Dan Gagliardo, Bruce Blakeman Call Out Hochul’s Delay on No Tax on Tips- Demand Immediate Relief for Workers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- JANUARY 5, 2025
TONAWANDA, NY — Standing at the Olympic Restaurant in Tonawanda, Dan Gagliardo, Republican and Conservative candidate for State Senate in the 61st District, joined Bruce Blakeman, Republican candidate for Governor, to call out Governor Kathy Hochul for dragging her feet on “no tax on tips” and leaving hardworking New Yorkers behind.
New York was one of only a handful of states that refused to adopt no tax on tips, despite legislation introduced by Republicans in the State Legislature. Only after months of pressure did Governor Hochul announce she would push for the policy in 2026. For workers who live on tips, that delay means another year of Albany taking a cut of their hard-earned pay.
“What took her so long?” Gagliardo said. “Restaurant workers have been struggling under inflation, high rents, and rising costs. Albany Democrats had the chance to act and chose not to. Now Governor Hochul wants a pat on the back for finally caving, but she’s still telling workers to wait another year. That’s unacceptable.”
Gagliardo, a small business owner who has created jobs and signed the front of paychecks, said the issue is about real affordability, not Albany talking points.
“I know what it means when every dollar matters,” Gagliardo said. “Tips aren’t a bonus. They’re how servers, bartenders, and service workers pay their bills. Letting the state tax those earnings was wrong from the start. We should end the tax on tips now, not in 2026, and we should extend that relief to overtime as well. If someone is working extra hours to make ends meet, Albany shouldn’t punish them for it.”
Blakeman echoed that message, arguing that New York’s refusal to act sooner shows how out of touch the current administration has become with working people and small businesses.
Gagliardo said the episode fits a broader pattern under one-party Democratic rule in Albany.
“Albany Democrats talk a lot about affordability, but their actions tell a different story,” Gagliardo said. “They raise taxes, delay relief, and then act surprised when families and workers are fed up. As State Senator, I’ll fight for policies that let people keep more of what they earn, lower the cost of living, and make New York a place where working hard is rewarded again.”
Gagliardo reaffirmed his commitment to an affordability agenda that includes cutting taxes, reducing energy costs, supporting small businesses, and standing up for workers who feel ignored by Albany politicians.
“This campaign is about common sense,” Gagliardo said. “Voters in the 61st District have a clear choice between a working man who has created jobs, or a party boss. The choice is clear.”
About Dan Galgilardo:
Dan Gagliardo is a successful small business owner who has created jobs across Western New York. He built multiple businesses from the ground up, including D’Avolio, and understands firsthand what it takes to meet payroll, manage costs, and keep doors open. A husband, father of four daughters, and grandfather of six, Dan is committed to fighting for lower taxes, affordable utility costs, safer communities, and common-sense leadership that puts people first and politics last.
