The Communications Workers of America this week launched a TV ad campaign calling for tax hikes on the rich in order to avoid cuts to health care and other programs in the state budget. 

The ad buy is worth $250,000 and will air in Albany, Buffalo, Long Island and Utica. 

The CWA spot, calling attention to an increase on the wealthiest 1 percent in the state, is not unlike the push being made by the New York State United Teachers union on the same subject. 

Assembly Democrats are likely this month to call for a tax hike on the rich. Democrats in the state Senate have said a tax hike for the rich should not be considered a first resort. 

And Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has said he's concerned about rich people moving out of the state to lower-tax states, did not include a tax increase in his proposed budget.