FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 7, 2013
NATIONAL POLL ON TAX REFORM: Two-Thirds of Voters Believe Top 2%, Corporations Should Pay More Taxes
New polling comes as national coalition announces 18-state field strategy
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Americans for Tax Fairness, a national coalition representing more than 250 groups pressing for a fairer tax system, released a national survey by Hart Research today showing two-thirds of voters nationwide now say that the richest 2% (by 66% of voters) and large corporations (by 64% of voters) should pay more in taxes. The new polling comes as the group launches an 18 state field strategy to mobilize every day Americans to push for revenue through national days of action, lobby visits, calls to Senate offices, and online activity.
“This poll shows voters are clear about what they want from Congress: Make sure the next budget agreement raises a lot more tax revenue from wealthy Americans and big corporations by closing tax loopholes and special-interest tax breaks. And do not use those savings to lower the tax rates of the richest 2 percent and big corporations,” said Frank Clemente, campaign manager, Americans for Tax Fairness. “A fair budget agreement requires companies like GE and Verizon to pay their fair share of taxes rather than paying nothing in federal income taxes, as they do some years. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t ask millionaires to pay at least as high a tax rate as their secretaries, instead of cutting education funding for our children.”
The nationwide survey, conducted January 18 through the 22, 2013, among 1,006 voters, also found that only 28% of voters believe that the fiscal cliff bill passed on New Year’s Day raised taxes on the rich enough, while more than twice as many (59%) say that we still need to do. Similarly, by 56% to 33%, voters report that they are more likely to vote for a candidate who favors raising taxes on the wealthy and large corporations over one who opposes any increase in taxes.KEY SURVEY FINDINGS:
—Public support remains strong for asking the top 2% and corporations to pay more in taxes. Voters believe that still more needs to be done to ensure that the wealthy pay their fair share. Fully two-thirds (66%) of voters nationwide now say that the richest 2% should pay more in taxes (9% say less). The survey also found 73% of voters tell us that making sure the rich pay their fair share of taxes should be an important budget priority for Congress.
—Closing corporate tax loopholes are especially popular. Americans want to see corporations pay their fair share, rather than see cuts in education or major entitlement programs. Fully 64% of voters believe that large corporations should pay more in taxes than they do today, virtually the same proportion as last year (66% in April 2012). Similarly, 78% tell us that making sure big corporations pay their fair share of taxes is an important budget goal (55% extremely important), and 80% say the same about closing tax loopholes that benefit big corporations.
—Voters decisively reject, by 54% to 38%, a cuts-only approach. Voters reject reducing the annual Social Security cost of living adjustment (i.e. “chained CPI”) by 65% to 29%, with 51% strongly disapproving. A remarkable 80% disapprove of cutting Medicaid, including 63% strongly. And an overwhelming 83% of voters disapprove – 71% strongly – of making cuts to spending for K-12 education.
—Virtually no support exists for cutting tax rates. The public insists that revenue from limiting deductions for the wealthy or closing corporate loopholes be used for public investment and deficit reduction, not to lower tax rates. By nearly three to one, the voting public believes that revenue raised by closing loopholes and limiting deductions for wealthy individuals should be used to reduce the budget deficit and make public investments (66%), not to reduce tax rates (23%).
NATIONAL STATE STRATEGY:
Americans for Tax Fairness, a coalition of more than 250 groups, is mobilizing every day Americans with partner groups in each target state to push for revenue through national days of action, lobby visits, calls to Senate offices, and online activity. The actions and message will focus on closing loopholes and ending tax breaks for the richest 2 percent of Americans and big corporations which the coalition believes can raise over $1 trillion in 10 years. The campaign is opposed to closing tax loopholes and using the savings to lower rates.
According to the Hart survey, by 18 points, voters agree with Democrats that the next budget agreement should include new tax revenue from limiting tax breaks for wealthy individuals and corporations, in addition to spending cuts (57% agree), rather than with Republicans that it should include only spending cuts, with no increase in taxes on anyone (39%). Political independents side with the Democrats’ position on revenue by 54% to 37%, and moderates agree by 38 points. A majority of voters from every region of the country agree that revenue should be included, including 57% of voters in 2014 Senate battleground states.
18 STATE FIELD STRATEGY:
–Arkansas
–Colorado
–Delaware
–Florida
–Indiana
–Louisiana
–Maine
–Michigan
–Minnesota
–Missouri
–Montana
–North Carolina
–New Jersey
–New York
–Ohio
–Virginia
–Washington
–West Virginia##