The Brian Lehrer Show 30 Issues in 30 Days: Taxing the Wealthy in New York State
Sep 29, 2025
Jabari Brisport, a progressive New York State Senator, and Alec Brook-Krasny, a Republican Assemblyman who switched from the Democrats, dive into the heated debate on taxing the wealthy. Brisport passionately advocates for tax reforms to fund crucial public services like universal childcare, while Brook-Krasny warns of the potential negative impact of such taxes on businesses. They discuss the feasibility of these proposals in Albany, with Brisport addressing misconceptions about wealth flight and Brook-Krasny cautioning against the slippery slope of socialism.
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Engage Businesses Early
- Meet with business leaders and explain how tax revenue funds public goods that benefit them to reduce flight risk.
- Brisport says Mamdani has already started those conversations to keep wealthy individuals and firms from leaving.
Two-Track Tax Proposal
- Mamdani's plan targets two main revenue sources: a surcharge on incomes over $1M and a higher corporate tax rate.
- Senator Jabari Brisport argues those revenues would fund universal childcare, free buses, and housing investments.
Wealthy Numbers Rose After 2021 Hike
- New York raised taxes on the wealthy in 2021 and still saw millionaire counts rise afterward.
- Brisport cites that as evidence tax hikes don't necessarily trigger mass departures of the wealthy.