...
By Toby Meyjes
News Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
More than half of voters in New York state support Democratic New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's proposal to raise personal income taxes for city residents earning at least $1 million, according to a new poll.
Some 54 percent of voters polled by Siena College Research Institute backed the idea, compared to 29 percent against; with support strongest in the city and among Democrats. Republicans opposed the measure and independents slightly leaned against it.
Newsweek has reached out to the New York City Mayor's Office for comment via email.
Read More on News
Why It Matters
Mamdani swept into the high-profile office with a resounding victory in November, offering a new face and a more progressive agenda for the Democratic Party. He has quickly become a national face for the party as it battles with the White House amid a midterm cycle where it hopes to take back the House and Senate.
The New York City mayor has framed an income tax hike on high-wage earners as preferable to raising property taxes citywide to address a multi-billion-dollar budget gap.
Speaking last month, Mamdani said his alternative plan for a 9.5 percent tax hike on three million residential units and 100,000 commercial buildings was a "last resort" and that the "sustainable and fairest" path would be to raise taxes by 2 percent on those making at least $1 million a year, ABC reported at the time.
...
What To Know
The Siena poll of 805 registered voters, conducted Feb. 23 to February 26 and carrying a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points, found statewide support for the tax with 54 percent approval to 29 percent disapproval.
Support measured 62 percent to 21 percent among New York City voters and 72 percent to 13 percent among Democrats, while downstate suburban voters backed the measure 50 percent to 32 percent and upstate voters supported it 48 percent to 35 percent.
Independents narrowly opposed, 40 percent to 37 percent, and Republicans opposed the plan 51 percent to 36 percent, according to the poll.
Mamdani has argued that Albany approval to raise income taxes on millionaires would avoid a broader property tax increase on city property owners, and poll respondents preferred the income tax approach over a property tax hike.
What People Are Saying
Siena pollster Steven Greenberg said: "As we enter budget month for the state, neither [Democratic Governor Kathy] Hochul nor either house of the legislature has indicated public support for Mamdani’s request to allow New York City to raise personal income taxes on City residents earning at least $1 million. Yet, the public is on Mamdani’s side, as the proposal is supported 54-29% among all voters statewide, and it has support from 62% of City voters and 72% of statewide Democrats. While Republicans disagree, voters overall prefer New York City raise income taxes on its millionaires, rather than raise property taxes on all New York City property owners, Mamdani’s stated position.”
What Happens Next
Mamdani needs approval from the State Legislature and Hochul before he can put his proposal into action.
Hochul has previously indicated she would be against raising taxes, telling NBC New York in late January, "I don't believe in taxing for the sake of taxing. Never have, never will."
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines