More than half surveyed favor tax increases in Arizona

AZ Republic via PhxNews ^ | Christina Leonard

[hsmomx3]

A recent poll of Valley movers and shakers showed more than half of those surveyed support raising taxes to improve the state's fiscal health.

However, respondents didn't necessarily agree on whether the hike should come from sales, property or income taxes.

The recent Valley Influentials Poll, conducted by the Tempe-based O'Neil Associates, a public opinion research firm, surveyed more than 1,200 community and business leaders, including members of the Greater Phoenix Leadership and Westmarc.

"The usual expectation is people are against taxes," said pollster Michael O'Neil on Wednesday. "And when you're talking to a group of business leaders, you'd think they're more so."

The Internet-based survey released last week showed 58 percent, or nearly three out of five respondents, supported raising taxes. Fifty-one percent also advocated cutting spending.

O'Neil said the respondents recognized the gravity of Arizona's budget woes and indicated they were willing to shoulder the burden to pull the state out of debt.

Of those who supported tax increases, there was no clear majority indicating how the state should do so, which could present a challenge to legislators trying to garner support, O'Neil said.

"I don't want to blast that poll because the poll is the poll and it said what it said," said Roc Arnett, president of the East Valley Partnership. "But I question if it's fully representative of all the electorate."

Arnett said those polled tend to be more moderate and "understand that in some cases, there must be tax increases."

O'Neil did stress it was not a poll of the general public and "these are the more educated, involved types in the community."

The survey has a margin of error of 4.9 percentage points, and it was taken between June 23 and July 2.

[hsmomx3]

Where did they find these people? Again, the AZ Republic shows its true colors. They probably inflated the numbers to please our governess.

Is it true that they are buying the East Valley Tribune? If true, they will have a monopoly in this state on the news one receives. I'll stick with Free Republic for my news.

[Blood of Tyrants]

A recent poll of Valley movers and shakers showed more than half of those surveyed support raising taxes to improve the state's fiscal health.

You have to know how to read it. The "movers and shakers" are nothing more than the liberal elite.

[Thane_Banquo]

The Internet-based survey released last week

Internet survey. Not scientific. Also, liberal pollsters tend to couch questions about tax hikes this way:

"Would you support increases in taxes to increase funding for schools or the poor, so our educational system will be better, poverty will cease to exist, and all the world's problems will be solved?"

[ElectricStrawberry]

movers and shakers

=college liberals?

[LS]

As soon as I saw "movers and shakers," I thought, here we go. Of COURSE they favor taxes, because they don't want others to have what they have.

[Living Free in NH]

If they're so gung ho about a tax increase, double it and let them pay it all for the other half who are happy getting raped at the current level.

[jimt]

The "movers and shakers" are nothing more than the liberal elite.

Bingo !

[Cold Heat]

Where did they find these people?

Manufactured......(probably teacher union members)

[in the Arena]

You can bank they did not poll the Sun City Tax Payers Association...

[lawdude]

They sure as heck didn't ask me. Of course the liberal "haves" (liberal/sociocommies) always agree to tax increases. BUT, ask Jose or the average worker not making 100K+/year.

They might just hear a different tune.

[dc27]

movers and shakers = California transplants

[sasafras]

Your right on that - if you get this paper boycott it, tell others to boycott it. Why do we need to buy this liberal trash? I get my news from the internet - Are there any freepers that get this newspaper? If so why?

[zbogwan2]

I'll bet a lot of these polls are like the Jay Leno on the street interviews with all of them dumb clucks. Most of the respondents to polls probably don't pay taxes or are without jobs. What the heck do they care about taxes as long as they don't get taxed?

[goldstategop]

Rich liberals favor tax increases. Yeah I expected this since a dollar here and a dollar there doesn't affect them as much as it does average folks. More country club snobbery.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Mondale has a home! Arizona! Run, Mondale! Run!

[Gad grrrrr! grrrrr! dadgummit, I guess it's a love-hate relationship. I'll listen to Savage tonight, or try, anyway.]

[HungarianGypsy]

Nope. Unless the Republic buys out the Trib, I am subscribing to the Tribune. I live in Central Phoenix, so can't get the paper edition, but get the epaper for $8/month.
The only thing they lack are the coupons, but if I need them so badly I can go to the Republic's website, bypass the crap and just get the coupons. Or I can get them from my Mother in Law

[sasafras]

Good for you.