Poll: Texans willing to pay more taxes for education

[sonias]

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/gen/ap/TX_School_Funding_Poll.html
The majority of Texans said they would pay more in state taxes to provide more money for public education, according to a newspaper poll.

A statewide poll conducted by The Dallas Morning News shows that 52 percent of Texans said they would pay more in state taxes if the money went to schools, while 39 percent opposed an increase.

"It's interesting that Texas, which has always said no more taxes, no more taxes, no more taxes, is willing to say OK to this," pollster Mickey Blum said. "But you find this all over the country, that the one issue that will open up the pocketbooks — and we all hate taxes — it is education."

Blum & Weprin Associates Inc. of New York conducted the poll, which surveyed 1,482 registered voters by telephone Feb. 9-15. It has an error margin of plus or minus 3 percentage points. The newspaper released the poll Tuesday.

Of Republicans, 46 percent said they would not be willing to pay more taxes for schools and 44 percent said they would. They were the only voter group unwilling to pay more.

OK, I picked up two extra paragraphs because these are so short, single sentence paragraphs. I thought it was important to show that repukes hate the school system, well at least 46% do. Actually to see a spread that close between the player/haters 46-44% is pretty amazing.

As for the rest of us, we want good schools and we're willing to pay more, especially if we can raise the taxes of those 46% who hate Texas school children. :evilgrin:

Sonia

[sui generis]

1. I'll be happy to pay more sales tax or even a state income tax

but NOT more property tax. Seriously, even just a 1/2 of a percent income tax would change the revenue profile of this state tremendously for education AND public safety.

Homeowners get screwed hard in this state, to take up the slack for people not paying income tax. Technically changes in income tax can't be passed on to your residential tenants, although your commercial leases usually have some kind of annual catch up for taxes.

[sonias]

3. Count me in on the income tax

I agree acmejack that we don't want more property taxes. I've said this before too, a state income tax is the most fair way to handle the education funding crisis. And for the majority of us that pay property tax it will even cost a whole lot less. I think sales tax is too regressive, and I think it's about time that employers pay their fair share to educate the work force they need for tomorrow.

Again here's Eddie Rodriguez' plan and his income tax calculator. Texans for Tax Relief.

http://www.texastaxrelief.com/

Sonia

[Czolgosz]

2. You'd be shocked at what even most Republicans would pay for:

In their (black) hearts, Republican voters aren't half as nasty as completely soulless Republican politicians. I have got to believe there is room for a consensus candidate to the left of Perry.

[sonias]

4. I can't believe that!

Where did those charts come from?

I really thought all they wanted to fund was jails, lots of cops, walls on the border, a highly armed military, and subsidized roads. Oh and religious schools that are funded by the taxpayers through vouchers. Either that or they want to be able to deduct their private education costs for their children.

Hearts? No repuke politician has one. We know Cheney doesn't have a heart, he's only got a mechanical pump.

Sonia

[Czolgosz]

5. All the graphs are from a great, comprehensive study Beyond Red vs. Blue

by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press who researched the public's attitudes on issues at the heart of the differences between Republican and Democratic policy solutions. Here's a link: <http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?PageID=943>

[sonias]

6. Thanks Czolgosz

I'll delve into that site. If it's the Pew Research center it will be good.

Sonia

[flamin lib]

7. The more I think about it the more I believe a State Income Tax

is the only way to solve this issue.

It would alleviate the disparity in "have and have-not" districts, i.e. those with a large business base compared to only personal property.

It would be deductible from Federal Taxes. Property taxes are paid with after (federal income) tax dollars, so we are paying taxes on our taxes.

It could be easily made progressive instead of regressive.

Because everyone earning income in the State would pay it the burden would be spread wider than solely on property owners.

I see no down side to it.

[crispini]

8. Amen you said it.

The League of Women Voters thinks so too, I believe. Now let's all call our State Senators and State Reps and let them know: YES for a State Income Tax. Let's cowboy up and pay for what we want in a mature and grownup way.