Poll: NYers Don't Like "Obesity Tax" But Do Like Taxing the Rich

Quinnipiac University released a new poll today with NY State voters' thoughts on Governor Paterson's recently announced tax proposals to close the billion-dollar deficit. Respondents were opposed to the tax on non-diet sodas, 60% to 37% (even diet soda drinkers opposed it, 58% to 39%). While voters "would rather cut services than raise taxes" 53% to 36%, they do support a tax for people making more than $1 million/year 84% to 13% (Paterson hasn't proposed it, but might turn to it). Overall, though 88% of voters believe that the state has a budget crisis, only 46% approve of how Paterson is handling it. But 53% approve of the job he's doing (to 29% who don't) and 54% (vs. 33%) believe he has the leadership skills to deal with the budget.

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By Jen Chung in News on December 24, 2008 4:14 PM

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jpeditor

Tips slow to trickle for city's doormen

When the rich get a sniffle, their doormen get pneumonia.

Doormen say their tips are down drastically this holiday season as well-heeled residents deal with the stock market crash and waves of layoffs on Wall Street.

"A lot of people who live here work in the banking industry and on Wall Street," said Luis Delgado, a doorman at a building in West End Ave. and W. 81st St. "They have been hit. Many faced layoffs."

Think2wice

The righteously indignated populist in me agrees with the poll, but the Bloombergian economist in me doesn't want to drive out the wealthy, nor create more entitlements, nor have the city and state pay for the health problems of…um…Coke®-addicts.