About what percentage of your income did you or will you end up paying in taxes this year?
0–10%…16
11–20%… 12
21–30%… 24
31–40%… 17
41%+…6
I don’t know…19
Do you agree with the priorities of the latest state budget?
Yes… 4
No… 28
I don’t know what they are…64
Do you support the plan to raise state taxes on the wealthy?
No, they already pay plenty…22
Yes, it’s a necessary evil given the times we’re in…22
Yes, those who can afford to pay more should…49
Are you personally considering moving if the proposed state tax hikes go through?
Yes…21
No …76
Do you think the rich will leave the state if taxes get too high?
Yes… 28
No… 71
Do you have more or less faith that the federal government will spend wisely under Obama?
More… 59
Less… 13
The same…27
Did you agree with Governor Paterson’s suggested proposals to increase taxes on …
SUGARY SODAS
Yes… 53
No… 42
PORN AND OTHER DOWNLOADS
Yes… 70
No… 28
Are cigarette taxes too high?
Yes… 28
No… 65
Do you support a 50-cent taxi surcharge to help the MTA?
Yes… 43
No… 53
Would you pay higher taxes for:
Universal health care…69
Better funding for schools…67
Better unemployment benefits…34
Avoiding MTA fare hikes and service cuts…33
Reducing the existing deficit…29
Stimulus spending… 15
More defense spending…10
Supporting the New York Times …5
Given the budget shortfalls, would you raise your own …
CITY TAXES
Yes… 33
No… 63
“We don’t need to pay any more to live here.”
STATE TAXES
Yes… 33
No… 65
“I can’t bear the thought of MTA and police service cuts.”
FEDERAL TAXES
Yes… 23
No… 70
“Yes—tough times call for tough measures.” “No—New Yorkers receive less in federal taxes than we pay.” “No—the surest way to curtail economic activity is to raise taxes.”
Do you think you get your money’s worth in taxes on …
THE CITY LEVEL
Yes… 37
No… 56
“No—my streets are still dirty.”
THE STATE LEVEL
Yes… 33
No… 57
“Yes—I am a product of the Educational Opportunities Program. I would not have some opportunities without it.”
THE FEDERAL LEVEL
Yes… 28
No… 63
“No—too much tax money [is spent] on defense and church-based programs and not enough for social services, education, housing, welfare …” “No—as a transgender person, the state has yet to protect my rights.” “You have got to be joking.” “All of it goes for welfare of some kind or another.”
Do you support a $2 toll on East River bridges to help the MTA?
Yes…33
No…62
Have you ever knowingly cheated on your taxes?
Yes… 11
No… 86
Do you believe in “non-filer syndrome,” which Paterson’s former top adviser blamed for his failure to pay taxes for five years?
Yes…6
What? He really said that? Of course not. Good Lord! … 81