8/14/2019 New Yorkers Weigh in on Top Priorities for the New Mayor

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A New Consensus

Now that the election is over and New Yorkers

ave chosen new city leaders, our attention turns

o governing. How can the new mayor create

ood-paying jobs, address high unemployment in

w-income communities, and spur the development

f affordable housing? The

ommunity Service Society’s

nnual Unheard Third survey

ffers a roadmap to specic

roposals that New Yorkers

roadly support—and are

illing to invest in.

ur 2013 survey asked New

orkers—of all income levels—for their opinions

n pressing issues confronting the next mayor. We

ound widespread concern about income inequality

nd a fading belief that those struggling at the

wer end of the city’s economic ladder can move

p to the middle class.

EDUCATION

A wide majority of New Yorkers—two-

hirds—prefer a change in the current

dministration’s education policy

Nearly 7 out of 10 New Yorkers want to

scale up measures to reduce poverty an

homelessness

would be somewhat or very

willing to personally pay more in

taxes  to make pre-K programs

available to all children

would be somewhat or very

willing to personally pay mo

in taxes  to develop afforda

low-income housing.

74% 66%

73%

70%

We also found widespread agreement about several

proposals to widen opportunities for New Yorkers

while promoting upward mobility and expanding

middle class prosperity. This emerging consensus

points the way toward a set of concrete policy

measures the next mayor can

and should pursue to make

economic advancement a

centerpiece of his agenda.

Much has been made of the

tough scal decisions awaiting

the next mayor. It’s important to

note that many of the proposals

cited here are budget neutral. Moreover, at a

time when the city’s poverty rate remains high at

21 percent, New Yorkers express a willingness to

personally pay a little more in taxes and take on

more debt to advance the economic prospects of

those left behind.

 

The Community Service Society of New York  

(CSS) draws on a 170-year history of excellence in

addressing the root causes of economic disparity

through research, advocacy, litigation, and innovative

program models that strengthen and benefit all New

 Yorkers. www.cssny.org

CSS conducts an annual survey, The Unheard Third

to better understand the views and experiences

of low-income New Yorkers. We use the insights

gleaned from our survey to advocate on behalf of ou

constituents and elevate their concerns in the public

policy debate.

HOUSING 

Finding: New Yorkers are worried about

widening inequality.

Q: How worried are you about widening inequality

between the wealthy and the poor in New York City

 VERY WORRIED SOMEWHAT

WORRIED

 A LITTLE

WORRIED

NOT AT AL

WORRIED

We found widespread concern

about income inequality and

a fading belief that those

struggling at the lower end of

the city’s economic ladder can

move up to the middle class.

JOB CREATION

New Yorkers support broad measures to

grow middle-income jobs and expand

employment opportunities to underserved

populations

support expanding paid sick

leave to more workers.73%

73%

70%

82%support investing in large

public works to create good

local jobs modernizing our

infrastructure

would be somewhat or verywilling to personally pay more

in taxes  to invest in jobs and

training programs to help the

city’s 186,000 disconnected

youth enter the labor market

support tax breaks and

rezoning for businesses only

if they are tied to local hiring,

better wages, and adding

affordable housing

favor investing in schools

serving poor neighborhoods 

over the current administration’s

market approach

would be somewhat or verywilling to personally pay more

in taxes  to expand career and

technical education programs

to prepare students for jobs in

emerging industries

Learn more: www.cssny.org/newmayo

18%

64%

33%

MORE

WORRIED

LESS

WORR37%

27%15%

New Yorkers Weigh in on Top Priorities for the New Mayor

The Election’s Over … What’s Next?

Learn more: www.cssny.org/newmayo