A new poll shows substantial support for a wealth tax on the richest New Yorkers.
Hart Research Associates found 92% of New York voters surveyed support the tax regardless of party affiliation.
Andy Pallotta heads New York State United Teachers, a union that helped fund the poll. He says the tax would give New York schools more money for important mental health services.
“Right now we’re seeing such a deficit in school spending in the state. We’ve asked, as well as the Regents and the Chancellor have all asked, for about $2.1 billion increase over last year, and the governor’s budget shows about $826 million of an increase. So there’s a big gap.”
Other supporters say the tax could generate $12 billion in revenue and help fix the state’s $6 billion budget deficit.
Patricia Martone, with Patriotic Millionaires, an organization of wealthy Americans that promotes livable wages and fair taxes, says raising taxes on wealthy New Yorkers who have more to give is a better way to address the state's budget concerns than cutting important services for the state's most vulnerable populations.