In a recent report, Mauro's organization claimed that Pataki's budget and tax cut plan would exacerbate an already huge differential between the wealthiest and poorest New Yorkers. Citing a Port Authority study that indicated a high correlation between educational attainment and income, Mauro specifically blasted Pataki's proposed cuts to education and higher education. The disappearing middle class is losing the opportunity to attain even a basic college degree. A progressive tax structure slightly increases the percentage of personal income paid in taxes as income grows. Proportional, or flat taxes, keep the percentage the same among all taxpayers.
People advocate progressive or even proportional tax plans.
Regressive taxation is something no one would defend. And, it would continue to shift tax burdens to the local level, he pointed out Between 1986 and 1993, the FPI study concludes, personal income grew only 32.2 percent while the economy grew 45.7 percent. However, property taxes grew 58.3 percent during the same period. In fact, implementing the long-delayed final leg of a 1987 tax cut plan, which Pataki has included in his plan, would actually cost many New Yorkers more money, Mauro said. Mauro has extensive experience in New York politics.