Prairie Public Broadcasting

New Yorkers Divided on Preferred Tax Relief BUFFALO (wned) - According to the latest Siena Research Institute survey voters across New York want tax relief, but they are almost evenly divided on how it should be delivered.

Siena poll spokesman Steven Greenberg says about half the voters say they prefer eliminating the state's 32 cent a gallon tax on gasoline and about half want a cap on property taxes.

Greenberg says people are feeling the economic pinch on a number of levels and they will take whatever Albany comes up with.

"The elected officials are hearing the voters' disgruntlement. They are hearing the fact that voters want relief. The question is 'How well do the elected officials respond?,'" said Greenberg.

After nearly four months in office, Governor David Paterson's favorable rating remains at 57%. 15% have an unfavorable opinion of Paterson.

However, only about one-third of voters surveyed say they are confident that the governor and the legislature will tackle a tax relief plan this year.

© Copyright 2012, wned