• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

2

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic

3

Ray Dalio says the U.S. just had its 'Suez moment'—and history says what comes next could end an empire

1

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

2

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic

3

Ray Dalio says the U.S. just had its 'Suez moment'—and history says what comes next could end an empire

These Millionaires Are Begging New York State to Raise Their Taxes

By
Erik Sherman
Erik Sherman
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Erik Sherman
Erik Sherman
Down Arrow Button Icon
March 22, 2016, 1:34 PM ET
A Wall Street near the New York Stock Exchange.
A Wall Street near the New York Stock Exchange.Photograph by Spencer Platt—Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

A group of about 50 New York State millionaires, according to the Associated Press, have sent an open letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo and “legislative leaders” supporting higher taxes for the wealthy to fund programs to address income inequality and infrastructure investment. The group is backing a tax policy proposal from the Fiscal Policy Institute, a New York-based liberal think tank.

Recently, a small, but vocal number of wealthy people — including such notable billionaires as Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Carl Icahn, and Charles Koch —have publicly raised concern about growing income inequality. Some have warned against creating a permanent underclass and indulging in welfare for the rich.

The signers of the letter for New York legislators include Abigail Disney, filmmaker and granddaughter of Walt Disney Company co-founder Roy Disney, fourth-generation Rockefeller family member Steven Rockefeller, At-a-Glance calendar developer and leveraged buyout pioneer Lewis Cullman, media private equality fund managing partner Leo Hindery, Jr., and Peter Strugatz, an early investor in Stonyfield Farm Yogurt and Zipcar.

The letter said they and the other millionaires were “deeply concerned that too many New Yorkers are struggling economically” and that “the state’s ailing infrastructure is in desperate need” of attention. They also wrote:

“As New Yorkers who have contributed to and benefited from the economic vibrancy of our state, we have both the ability and the responsibility to pay our fair share. We can well afford to pay our current taxes, and we can afford to pay even more.”

Governor Cuomo’s office did not respond to a Fortune query.

As the disparities in wealth and income have become more marked in the U.S., a small, but growing number of wealthy individuals have begun raising the alarm about income inequality.

According to the millionaires’ proposal, permanent tax law sets a gradually increasing state income tax rate through $40,000 and then a single rate of 6.85% on any amount above that. A temporary tax structure, set through 2017, decreases the rates for the $40,000 to $150,000 and $150,000 to $300,000 brackets to 6.45% and 6.65%. the 6.85% rate holds from $300,000 to $2 million a year. Anything over $2 million is now taxed at 8.82%.

The proposal would make the temporary rates for all brackets through $300,000 to $665,000 permanent. It would increase taxes on people making more: 7.65% on $665,000 to $1 million in income, 8.82% from $1 million to $2 million, 9.35% from $2 million to $10 million, 9.85% from $10 million to $100 million, and 9.99% over $100 million.

According to FPI’s estimates, the result would be an extra $2.2 billion a year, with 17% borne by out-of-state residents. If the tax rate is allowed to revert, the group claims the state would see a $2.7 billion revenue drop, even as taxes for moderate- and middle-income families, from $40,000 to $300,000, would increase a total of $1 billion. The richest 1% would pay a total of $3.7 billion less in taxes.

The chances of this proposal being enacted into legislation are low, notes the Associated Press. Democrats control the half of the legislature called the Assembly while Republicans have a majority in the state Senate. The Senate majority currently opposes increased taxes on millionaires, including a separate plan from the Assembly.

That plan would apply the 8.82% rate to incomes between $1 million and $5 million, according to WGRZ-TV. Those making between $5 million and $10 million would pay 9.32% and anyone making more than $10 million would pay 9.82%.

When Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie introduced the measure, Senate Leader John Flanagan said that he would oppose it. “Whether it’s income taxes, property taxes, business taxes, user fees, or tolls, we don’t support raising taxes or asking hardworking New Yorkers to dig deeper into their pockets to pay more,” Flanagan said at the time.

Legislators are currently negotiating details of a budget deal with the hope of reaching agreement by April 1, according to AP.

About the Author
By Erik Sherman
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in

Illustration of a bomb with the Bitcoin logo printed on it, against an orange background.
CryptoCryptocurrency
Bitcoin down 20% since May as Strategy fallout spooks investors
By Camila Grigera NaónJune 26, 2026
48 minutes ago
p
EnvironmentParis
The most coveted accessory at Paris Fashion Week was an ice pack
By Thomas Adamson and The Associated PressJune 26, 2026
1 hour ago
z
PoliticsElections
A Brookings paper just accidentally explained Zohran Mamdani
By Nick LichtenbergJune 26, 2026
2 hours ago
fire
Europeclimate change
Greece tackles climate change wildfire risk with satellite network that can spot a blaze the size of a parking space
By Derek Gatopoulos and The Associated PressJune 26, 2026
2 hours ago
The ‘FIFA 15’ is American culinary diplomacy in action
North AmericaFood and drink
The ‘FIFA 15’ is American culinary diplomacy in action
By Catherina GioinoJune 26, 2026
2 hours ago
One chart explains the economy’s terrible baby boomer hangover, Gen X’s invisibility, and millennial and Gen Z irrelevance
Economybaby boomers
One chart explains the economy’s terrible baby boomer hangover, Gen X’s invisibility, and millennial and Gen Z irrelevance
By Tristan BoveJune 26, 2026
2 hours ago

Most Popular

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
Success
MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
By Sydney LakeJune 25, 2026
2 days ago
Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic
Success
Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 24, 2026
3 days ago
Ray Dalio says the U.S. just had its 'Suez moment'—and history says what comes next could end an empire
Economy
Ray Dalio says the U.S. just had its 'Suez moment'—and history says what comes next could end an empire
By Nick LichtenbergJune 26, 2026
12 hours ago
Trump turns on Big Oil donors who spent nearly $100 million to get him elected—now he wants the DOJ to investigate them for price gouging
Economy
Trump turns on Big Oil donors who spent nearly $100 million to get him elected—now he wants the DOJ to investigate them for price gouging
By Tristan BoveJune 25, 2026
23 hours ago
The bond market knows something about the $39 trillion national debt that Washington doesn’t
Economy
The bond market knows something about the $39 trillion national debt that Washington doesn’t
By Eva RoytburgJune 25, 2026
22 hours ago
Current price of oil as of June 25, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 25, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 25, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.