Why 40 New York millionaires want to raise taxes on the rich
More than 40 New York state millionaires signed a letter proposing new, higher tax rates for the top 1 percent of earners.
More than 40 New York state millionaires signed a letter proposing new, higher tax rates for the top 1 percent of earners.
A group of more than 40 millionaires in New York state have written to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and top lawmakers calling on them to consider raising taxes on the state's wealthiest residents to help address poverty and rebuild failing infrastructure.
The letter, a copy of which was given to The Associated Press, proposes new, higher tax rates for the top 1 percent of earners.
Those signing the letter include Abigail Disney, Agnes Gund, Leo Hindery and Steven C. Rockefeller.
The letter goes on to say additional revenue is needed to address child poverty, homelessness and aging bridges, tunnels, waterlines and roads.
Their proposal faces significant political obstacles. While the Democratic majority in the Assembly has its own plan to increase taxes on millionaires, the Republican-led Senate opposes the idea.
In January, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (and a former N.Y. senator) proposed a series of changes that would raise taxes on wealthy Americans.听
NPR reports that these are the key points in her proposal:
in 2011, Warren Buffett, one of the richest men in the country, similarly proposed that taxes on the rich should be raised.听
Mr. Buffett, who is estimated to be worth more than $66 billion, called on Congress to raise taxes on people earning more than $1 million.听
In a听op-ed piece in The New York Times听Aug. 14. He argued that the tax breaks for the wealthy must be removed.
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