“Philosophically, voters prefer spending cuts over taxes, but they support taxes as long as they fall on other people, whether it is the rich or smokers. Thirty-three percent opposed the measure. The proposal also includes higher state income taxes for seven years for those earning more than $250,000 annually, gradually increasing to a three point rate increase for those earning more than $500,000 a year. Sixty-four percent of California voters said they would support an initiative - similar to a compromise ballot measure reached by Governor Brown and the California Federation of Teachers - to increase the state sales tax by a quarter of a cent for four years if the money were used to support public schools, community colleges, services for children and older adults, and local public safety.
Forty-nine percent of voters preferred a combination approach, while 45 percent of voters said taxes in California are already too high and the budget should be balanced by cutting from government programs.īut when asked about specific proposals, Californians by large margins supported proposals including sales tax hikes and higher income taxes for wealthier citizens - not only millionaires but also those making more than $250,000 a year. To reserve a line, contact Suzanne Wu at ANGELES - MaBy hefty margins, Californian voters favor raising sales taxes and taxes on wealthier citizens if they’re told the money goes to public schools, community colleges and public safety, according to the latest results from the USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times Poll.Ĭalifornian voters were split on whether to tackle the state’s $9 billion budget deficit through a combination of spending cuts and tax increases, or through spending cuts alone. Suzanne Wu at (213) 740-0252 or Salzman at (213) 821-9311 or phone conference discussing the results of the USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times Poll of California politics, including public employee pensions, is MONDAY, March 26 at 11:15 a.m. Majority of Californians have favorable view of Governor Brown.
Voters Support Specific Tax Increases If Money Is Used To Support Public Education and Public Safety < Return to the USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times Poll page