Major labor groups in New York on Tuesday released a poll finding broad support for increasing taxes on the wealthy in the state amid a sharp drop in revenue.
But while the poll found backing for increasing taxes on billionaires, the survey also showed majority support for increasing taxes on income of more than $500,000 as well.
The poll, released by the Communications of America and the New York State United Teachers, comes as the state is seeking billions of dollars in aid from the federal government. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said increasing taxes and reducing spending alone won't make up the shortfall created by the evaporation of revenue due to the pandemic.
Spending reductions would impact local governments, schools and hospital systems if encated.
Taxing upper income earners, however, remains popular in the state, the poll found, with 90% backing support for raising tax rates of those ith incomes of $5 million or more.
The poll also found 81% believe it's acceptable to raise taxes on people with incomes of more than $500,000 -- including broad majorities of Democrats, Republicans and independent voters as well as voters in New York City, the suburbs and upstate communities.
New York relies on a small pool of wealthy people as its tax base, drawing much of its revenue from the personal income tax from several thousand filers.
Cuomo has said if those people choose to leave the state, New York's tax base would crumble as a result.