Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said he’s “unequivocally” opposed to resurrecting a stock-transfer tax as a way of reducing the state’s deficit, rejecting calls by labor leaders to force Wall Street to bail out Albany.

Mr. Silver, in an interview, also indicated that it’s unlikely that the state will preserve a temporary tax increase on wealthier residents after the increase expires in a year.

“I am unequivocally opposed to a stock-transfer tax,” Mr. Silver said. “People who are looking for revenue will look for any form of revenue. But the institution of a tax of that nature would drive the financial community out of New York.”

Labor unions and other opponents of spending cuts are clamoring for higher taxes, as Gov.-elect Andrew Cuomo prepares to submit a budget in January and grapples with closing a gap of about $10 billion, totaling 15% of general-fund spending.

But Albany appears to be less receptive to the demands for tax increases than in other years. Mr. Cuomo and Republican Senate leaders have also rejected calls for raising taxes.

The state stopped collecting taxes on stock transfers in 1981. While the tax is still technically on the books, financial firms receive 100% rebates from the state. In past years, some Democrats, including 2005 mayoral candidate Fernando Ferrer, have sought to resurrect the tax, but failed to gain traction.

Mr. Silver said financial firms would avoid paying a stock-transfer tax, even if it were reinstated…..

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