( )R RELEASE: MONDAY MORNING THEEAGLETON INST[TUTEOF POLITICS OCTOBER 28, 1974

Transcription

1 - - \ RUTGERS UNIVERSITY The State University of New Jersey RELEASE *12 7 ( )R RELEASE: MONDAY MORNING THEEAGLETON INST[TUTEOF POLITICS OCTOBER 28, 1974 Wood LatunNeilson Campus New Brunswick, New Jersey CONTACT: STEPHEN A. SALMORE TeL By a narrow margin, New Jersey residents oppose a state income tax such as the one proposed this summer by Governor Brendan Byrne. Results of the latest New Jersey Poll show that an income tax 1 even if it led to a reduction in local property taxes, is opposed by 50 percent to 43 percent with 7 percent undecided. According to Poll Director Dr. Stephen A. Salmore, This opposition is to a large extent rooted in public skepticism that property taxes would actually have been reduced. By more than two to one -57 percent to 28 percent -those surveyed did not believe that property taxes in their area would have gone down if the income tax had approved. Those who did believe this claim actually favor an income tax by a very large margin of Skeptics who rejected the claim of lower property taxes opposed the income tax by an almost as large margin of The Poll also found that there is support for two alternatives to a state income tax that the legislature may consider. When asked If you had to choose, which would you prefer a state income tax or an Increase in the sales tax? 47 percent opted for a sales tax increase while 31 percent said they favored an income tax. An additional 16 percent rejected either alternative and 6 percent were undecided. A statewide property tax that would replace the local property tax for schools was favored by a margin with 21 percent undecided. The sharp decline in Byrne s rating as gogernor is clearly related to the income tax controversy, Salrnore said. Byrne is presently given positive ratings of excellent or good by 33 percent while 57 percent give his performance negative more

2 a 0 0 C

3 . Tied njpl2 Page 2 Release %12 7 ülngs of only fair or poor. This is down from 56 percent positive to 26percent negative in May. Supporters of a state income tax divided almost evenly on rating Byrne s performance with 44 percent positive and 47 percent negative. Among opponents of the tax, however, negative ratings of the Governor outnumber positive ones by The latest results show a majority opposed to an income tax linked with property tax reform for the first time since the Poll began asking the question in February 1972., Favor Income Tax Favor Statewide With Property Property Tax to Replace Tax Relief Local Property Tax September % 44% May January October not asked May February Since then support for an income tax has declined from its high then of 58 percent to the present 43 percent. During the same period support for a statewide property tax has remained relatively stable. Increasing opposition may be traced in part to the worsening economic situation, It is going to be extremely difficult to convince people to support a new tax in the face of steadily rising prices even if that tax is part of a tax reform package, Salm ore noted. The figures do indicate, however, that there still remains a large number of people who are in favor of some kind of comprehensive tax reform, he added. more

4 0 C C

5 U Cjn whites. Opposition to the tax comes from Republicans, conservatives, renters and Institute of Politics in New Brunswick, N.J. between Sept selected random sample of 1005 N.J. residents 18 years of age or older were interviewed and 29 A scientifically Yes No No Opinion All Respondents 43% 50% 7% Blue Collar The Twelfth New Jersey Poll was conducted by telephone from the Eagleton schools? Would you support a state income tax if it led to a reduction in the local property tax for Owner More than $15, Non White White Collar blue collar workers. Independent Republican Liberal Less than $10, Support for an income tax is strongest among Democrats, liberals and Democrat Renter White $lo,000 $15, njpl2 Page 3 Release #22 7 Conservative Copyright, The Eagleton Institute,

6 C C) C

7 Q THE EAGLETON INSTITUTE OF POLITICS property tax on schools? distribute the tax rather than the local government and the tax rate would be the same for all communities. Would you be in favor of a statewide property tax if it replaced the local Anothertax being considered is a statewide property tax. The state would collect and in your area would have gone down if the income tax had been approved? tax-? If you had to choose, which would you prefer- a state income tax or an increase in the sales Instead of a state income tax some people have suggested increasing the state sales tax. schools? Would you support a state income tax if it led to a reduction in the local property tax for The money raised by the tax would be used to help reduce the local property tax for schools. This summer the New Jersey State Legislature considered adopting a state income tax. The questions used in this release are as follows: Tel TO: POLITICAL REPORTERS New Brunswick, New Jcrsey FROM: STEPHEN A. SALMORE SUBJECT: THE NEW JERSEY POLL, RELEASE 412-7, MONDAY MORNING, OCT. 28, 1974 From what you may have read or heard of this tax proposal do you think that property taxes Wood Lawn, Unison Campus RUTGERS UNIVERSITY Tue State University of New /crscy Don t know 22 No 35 Yes 44% Don t know 6 Both * (volunteered) Sales tax 47 Neither 16 (volunteered) Income tax 31% Don t Know 14 No 59 ies 0/0 17 floe) Don t Know 7 No 50 Yes 43%

8 fl C