By Rich Bockmann
With just a month to go before the state Legislature breaks for the summer, New Yorkers are strongly in favor of both increasing the minimum wage and cutting taxes on businesses, according to a new Siena Research Institute poll.
More than three-quarters of New York registered voters support proposed legislation to raise the minimum wage Jan. 1, the poll found.
“By a resounding 78-17 percent margin, voters support increasing New York’s minimum wage from the current $7.25 to $8.50 per hour,” said Siena pollster Steven Greenberg. “Nearly nine in 10 Democrats support it, as do three-quarters of independents and 58 percent of Republicans. At least 70 percent of voters from every region support the increase.”
“About two-thirds of voters have heard or read a great deal or some about the issue and the vast majority would like to see the Legislature pass the minimum wage increase before [the] session ends next month,” he said.
The minimum was last raised in 2007, up from $6.75 an hour.
The poll also shows that nearly two-thirds of registered New York voters favor a $200 million package of small business tax cuts and credits.
“A smaller but still large majority of voters supports, by a 65-13 percent margin, a $200 million package of tax cuts and credits for small businesses aimed at spurring job creation.” Greenberg said. “At least 63 percent of voters from every party and region support a small business tax package.”
Voters favored their individual senator by a 65-24 percent margin and their state Assembly member by a margin of 54-24 percent.
Reach reporter Rich Bockmann by e-mail at rbockmann@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
