CA: Little appetite for taxes - Californians don't want services cut either, poll finds

The Stockton Record ^ | Thursday, June 12, 2003 | Will Shuck

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

SACRAMENTO -- Forget the Capitol, Californians themselves are in budget gridlock, rejecting both service cuts or tax increases to close a $38 billion deficit. And their reluctance seems to stem from a growing mistrust of government, according to a statewide poll released Wednesday.

Californians don't want to pay more taxes on their vehicles (58 percent oppose) or on sales tax (52 percent oppose). And they don't want to saddle the rich with higher income taxes (48 percent oppose).

The only tax increase proposed by Gov. Gray Davis that people like is the per-pack tax on cigarettes (71 percent support).

With just days before the Sunday constitutional deadline to adopt a spending plan, lawmakers remain deadlocked, with Democrats against further spending cuts and Republicans shunning tax increases. The Davis administration has warned that a delay will hinder efforts to borrow the billions the state needs to stay in business.

Meanwhile, Californians' opinions are as polarized as the Legislature.

Half of those surveyed said they'd be willing to pay a half-cent more sales tax to pay for Davis' proposed $10.7 billion "deficit-reduction bond." But 54 percent said they'd rather not pay more taxes in general to finance the debt.

And, when asked what they thought about the state borrowing in general, 66 percent called it a bad idea.

"It's a dilemma for the public, because they feel like the alternatives being presented them are unattractive," said Mark Baldassare, poll director for the Public Policy Institute of California.

Poll results were based on telephone interviews of 2,003 adults, between May 22 and June 1, and have margins of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

::: Advertisement :::

Among the findings:

* 82 percent of Californians oppose spending cuts to K-12 schools. And 67 percent would pay more taxes to keep that from happening.

* 55 percent suggest spending less on prisons -- the only budget category that a majority was willing to cut.

* 73 percent said they'd vote for a $12.3 billion school-bond measure on the March ballot.

* Californians are willing to tinker around the edges of Proposition 13: 57 percent said it would be all right to change the way commercial properties are taxed.

Respondents overwhelmingly (70 percent) sided with the Republican call for a spending cap.

But they were divided on the Democratic call to do away with the requirement for a two-thirds majority to enact a budget -- 46 percent like the idea, 43 percent don't. The rest don't know.

All in all, Californians don't trust their government.

* 52 percent think state government wastes "a lot of the money."

* 60 percent trust government "only some of the time," while 29 percent trusted it "most of the time."

* 64 percent disapprove of Davis' job performance, but 52 percent say the budget would be just as bad if he were recalled from office.

"Only a third of Californians said that they trusted the state government to do what is right," Baldassare said. "That was the lowest number we've seen. I think that says a lot about where we are.

"I think that's what it's all about," he said.

* To reach Capitol Bureau Chief Will Shuck, phone (916) 441-4078 or e-mail sacto@recordnet.com

* DEFICIT: $38 billion.

* DEADLINE: Spending plan must be adopted by Sunday.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

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[vbmoneyspender]

More cognitive dissonance from the state that brought us Ronald Reagan and Jerry Brown.

[goldstategop]

Californians love government spending but loathe higher taxes. What an odd bunch of liberals.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

The point to remember is that what the government gives, it must first take away."- John S. Coleman

[Let's Roll]

"... rejecting both service cuts or tax increases ..."


Well, boo-frickin'- hoo - maybe the Tooth Fairy will make everything all better. Talk about denial. Thank you American public schools and parents who raised their kids by Dr. Spock.

[jim_trent]

There is a big difference between essential government services and the kind of services that are offered in California. I used to travel to there between the late 1970's and late 1980's. What went on there always astounded me.

Unfortunately, when they decide to cut services, they usually cut essential services (such as street repair, maintenance of all types, police, fire, etc.) rather than the touchy-feely things they offer. That is what I could never understand.

[evaporation-plus]

Unfortunately, when they decide to cut services, they usually cut essential services (such as street repair, maintenance of all types, police, fire, etc.) rather than the touchy-feely things they offer. That is what I could never understand.

This is how they get you to go for tax increases.......

[VOA]

Little appetite for taxes - Californians don't want services cut either, poll finds

This sort of title should be PRECEDED by a "Broken Rib Laughter" Alert/Advisory.

Of course, those of us in California are the most at risk because we know it's really
(and hilariously) accurate.

People in flyover country probably read this article and rationally surmise that
there must be LSD in public tap water and all the designer bottle water
sold in CA.

[Thud]

"Don't tax me and don't tax thee! Tax the fellow behind that tree!"

IMO the voters of California are irresponsible.

[tubebender]

Californians are willing to tinker around the edges of Proposition 13: 57 percent said it would be all right to change the way commercial properties are taxed.

They just happened to slip that in there didn't they...

Kelly, can you post McClintocks stats on tax revenues since 1978 ?

[kellynla]

I haven't a clue. Check with Normsrevenge. He might be able to help you.

[droberts]

Actually if the state Government watched its money as well as most of the rest of us had to (that little thing called accountability would help), there would probably be enough to cut taxes and keep all the services going.

[tubebender]

Here it is...The Truth About about Prop 13

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

That is an excellent piece by McClintock.

And no one has posted it?