Support for Revenue Increases: Increase State Sales Tax Rate (May 2011)

Respondents were asked, "Below is a list of ways in which state lawmakers might raise additional revenue in order to address the expected budget gap. Which of the following methods of increasing revenue would you support? (Check all that apply)" Response items included: Legalize gambling and impose taxes on casinos; Increase taxes on alcoholic beverages; Legalize the use of marijuana and impose taxes on its purchase; Adopt a fuel inefficiency surcharge on certain new vehicles; Ban the use of cell phones while driving and charge fines for individuals who break this law; Eliminate the August state sales tax holiday if the budget situation does not improve; Increase the state tax on businesses; Increase the state sales tax rate (currently 6.25%); Implement a state income tax on individuals; I do not support any of these measures. Measurement of Party ID for this figure is based on two questions. First, respondents were asked whether they consider themselves to be a Democrats, Republicans, independents, other, or not sure. Those who responded that they are independents or "other" were then asked if they lean toward either the Democrats or Republicans. If they indicated that they lean toward one party or the other, they are considered Democrats or Republicans for the purposes of this figure. Only "pure" independents or members of a third party who indicate that they have no preference for Democrats vis-a-vis Republicans are considered independents. Respondents who answered that they are "not sure" for either of the two aforementioned questions are not incorporated into this figure.