As a mayoral race that has had taxing the rich front and center winds down, a new poll found that raising taxes on the wealthy remains a broadly popular policy position not just in New York City, but around the state where key congressional battleground contests will take place next year.
Invest in Our New York, a coalition that advocates for increased taxes on high-earners, and People’s Action Institute commissioned the poll from Siena College. It surveyed 1,010 registered voters across the state Oct. 13-17, and included more specific breakdowns by region. With the exception of one specific tax proposal, New Yorkers largely responded favorably to plans to tax the rich – including New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s proposal. The groups previously polled voters on the issue in 2023.
A total of 62% of voters polled said that the state should raise the corporate tax rate for businesses making more than $5 million in profit from 7.25% to 11.5%. That’s straight out of Mamdani’s policy agenda to help fund his ambitious plans for free buses and universal childcare. Support was highest among Democrats, 77% of whom agreed with the proposal. But a majority of independents also backed the idea, as well as 59% of self-described moderates. What’s more, a small majority of Long Islanders polled said the state should increase that tax rate – even though Democrats in Nassau County are desperately trying to distance themselves from Mamdani…