Governor Andrew Cuomo (Getty)

Governor Andrew Cuomo may have managed to sell his tax code overhaul to Albany lawmakers, but voters aren't so sure about the plan. However, the lukewarm reaction to the tax plan hasn't affected the governor's approval rating. According to a new Quinnipiac poll, 68% of New Yorkers approve of the job the governor is doing, but only 38% of voters gave a thumb's up to the state's new tax rates.

Just 17% of voters disapprove of the governor and voters from all sides of the aisle gave him high marks. Among Democrats, his approval rating stands at 71%, with independents it's at 69% and among Republicans it's 63%. Despite Governor Cuomo's high numbers, pollsters found that just 38% of voters approve of the governor's new tax plan while 34% disapprove and 28% remain undecided.

The tax code overhaul, which was passed by the Legislature earlier this month will raise rates for New Yorkers who make more than $2 million a year, but the Quinnipiac poll found that 40% of voters consider the plan a tax hike. Governor Cuomo managed to introduce and shore up support for the plan in a matter of days in a move that was hailed by many as a political masterstroke, but Quinnipiac University Polling Institute director Maurice Carroll speculates that same speed left many voters unsure about the overhaul.

“The speed in changing the state tax code has left a lot of New Yorkers confused. Most of the state is divided on the merits, with New York City voters more negative than not,” Mr. Carroll said.

Governor Cuomo's approval rating stands at just 59% among New York City voters compared to 71% upstate and 76% in the suburbs. Many voters think they are getting a raw deal from Governor Cuomo's--43% think the plan is unfair to to them and that same percentage said the rate increase for those making over $2 million salaries wasn't high enough. Voters also complained of broken promises--47% said Governor Cuomo violated his pledge not to raise taxes and 42% believe the rapid passage tax deal went back on the governor's vow to end government by "three men in a room" in Albany.

Despite voters' complaints about the tax plan, Governor Cuomo is still clearly quite popular.

“Whatever they think about the tax deal, New Yorkers still love their governor. Andrew Cuomo’s job approval hits a new high, higher than we’ve seen since the post-9/11 approval ratings for Governor George Pataki,” Mr. Carroll said.

Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin (Photo: Facebook)

Steve McLaughlin, one of the eight Assemblymen who voted against Governor Cuomo's tax plan, outlined his opposition in a posting on Facebook. "This bill was a shell game that changed nothing, cut no spending, and increased taxes," Assemblyman McLaughlin wrote. 

On Facebook, Assemblyman McLaughlin, who represents the 108th District in the Capitol Region, said the plan accomplished nothing and blasted the closed door, rapid-fire nature of the negotiations between Governor Cuomo, Senator Skelos and Speaker Silver.

"Any time Albany rushes something through on a message of necessity, it isn't good," Assemblyman McLaughlin wrote. "Why would changing the tax code for 19 million people need to be done in a rush with no consideration or debate? Because the three men in a room knew this was a bill that achieved next to nothing."

Governor Cuomo's tax plan passed December 8 with unanimous support in the State Senate and 132 assenting votes in the Assembly. The governor introduced his bill and shored up support from Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver in a matter of days before many legislators had an opportunity to see the plan. The governor's tax plan included cuts for all but the richest New Yorkers, who make over $2 million per year, and he managed to obtain support from politicians on both sides of the aisle. Even insiders who expressed unhappiness with the plan hailed it as a masterpiece of political maneuvering.

Assemblyman McLaughlin's critique came in a comment posted on a discussion of the tax plan on the Facebook page Assemblyman Steve Katz's wife, Nicole Katz. Ms. Katz's Facebook page has been quite a hotbed of political activity of late. As of this writing, Assemblyman McLaughlin has not responded to The Politicker's request for comment on this story.

Fred Dicker (Photo: Talk1300.com)

Influential New York Post columnist Fred Dicker isn't exactly pleased with Governor Cuomo's new tax plan, but he's admittedly impressed with the political maneuvering that got the deal done. On his radio show this morning, Mr. Dicker aired his opinion of the state tax code overhaul. "Some might suggest that the governor and Senator Dean Skelos involved themselves in a sneak attack on New York taxpayers with this deal that really kind of came out of the blue," Mr. Dicker said.

Governor Cuomo's tax plan includes a higher tax rate for wealthy New Yorkers and a tax cut for many less well off state residents. Mr. Dicker pointed out this element of the plan was a reversal of the governor's repeated promises, but he praised its execution.

"He's one of the most skillful political figures we've seen probably in a few generations on the New York political scene," said Mr. Dicker. "It's a remarkable political tour de force, it seems to me, that we've seen here from the governor over the last several days."

Mr. Dicker repeatedly marveled at Governor Cuomo's ability to quickly shore up bipartisan support for his plan and gave a tightly controlled presentation of the proposal to the media with almost no opposition.

"There's some 30,000 people who will be paying this tax of some $2 billion. but there really is virtually not a peep out of any of them collectively or through organizations protesting it," Mr. Dicker said.

Based on the reception the tax plan has received so far, Mr. Dicker doesn't think it will cost Governor Cuomo many political points.

"Cuomo, who has very high approval rating, made a very interesting, skillful presentation of what is a reversal of a promise from his campaign--a key promise and, as a result of that, ... Cuomo will be able to get away with this, maybe even do a little bit better," Mr. Dicker said. "I think he'll slip just slightly in the polls."

Mr. Dicker had harsher words for Republican State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos. He took Senator Skelos to task for reversing his position on tax increases.and agreeing to Governor Cuomo's plan.

"Where was Dean Skelos? Has he given an explanation for his flip flop?" Mr. Dicker said. "He didn't even deign to put out an explanation."