More than two thirds of Connecticut voters strongly oppose the elimination of the $500 property tax credit and an increase in the gas tax, according to a survey from The Yankee Institute.
The conservative Connecticut think-tank’s new poll of 500 likely Connecticut voters also shows support for Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s proposed spending cuts in social services and higher education and his pursuit of concessions from state employees and welcome higher levies on tobacco and alcohol.
The poll, conducted by Pulse Opinion Research and funded by the Yankee Institute, shows that 57 percent of voters think the budget deficit should be addressed “entirely” or “mainly” through spending cuts while 30 percent of voters believe it should be an “even balance” of spending cuts and tax increases.
Just 11 percent of those surveyed said the state’s $3.2 billion budget deficit should be closed “mainly” or “entirely” through tax increases.
And the least popular proposed tax increase is the elimination of $500 property tax credit, with 73 percent of voters surveyed opposing it.
The phone survey, completed on Feb. 20, polled 500 likely Connecticut voters and has a margin of error of 4.5 percent. The survey was conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, which is associated with Rasmussen Reports.
Among other poll findings:
- 68 percent oppose creating a state earned income tax credit;
- 67 percent oppose increasing the gas tax;
- 60 percent oppose eliminating sales tax exemptions;
- 54 percent oppose increasing the income tax;
- 53 percent oppose increasing the sales tax;
- 71 percent support seeking concessions from state employees;
- 68 percent support increasing tobacco and alcohol taxes;
- 47 percent support budget cuts in social services and higher education.
