Anne Arundel residents support taxing corporations and high-income people rather than goods and services, installing slot machines in Maryland and reducing government spending, according to a semi-annual survey released Tuesday.
The fall survey conducted by the Center for the Study of Local Issues out of Anne Arundel Community College collected its largest sampling of 936 residents.
Residents were asked what was the most important problem they faced, and the majority said high taxes.
Only a third of the sample supported the proposed sales tax increase, while favorable majorities wanted increases in corporate taxes and income taxes on those who make more than $200,000.
“The public doesn?t like itself to be taxed and want anyone but themselves to fund the costs,” said Dan Nataf, the center?s director and professor at the college.
Most respondents said they want to see program cuts instead of tax increases to balance the budget, which would align them with the majority opinion of Anne Arundel?s state delegation. The survey asked about program cuts broadly.
The survey asked whether residents support slot machines in Maryland, and 61 percent supported it. However, the question did not list locations or whether the respondents would like slots in their community, which would yield a different response, slots opponents say.
“There?s only about five places slots would impact, and an infinite number it won?t impact,” Nataf said. “There will always be a majority that supports the benefit coming to Maryland than say the local discomfort to Laurel.”
Nataf said the slots opinion hasn?t fluctuated from previous surveys done by the center in spring and fall.
SURVEY RESULTS
The Center for the Study of Local Issues conducted a telephone survey of 936 Anne Arundel residents. These are the percentages of the supporters on state budget issues:
» Increasing the sales tax to 6 percent: 34 percent
» Increasing car titling tax to 6 percent: 34 percent
» Increasing corporate income tax: 60 percent
» Increasing tax burden on those who make more than $200,000: 61 percent
» Reducing state property tax: 71 percent
» Introducing slot machines in Maryland: 61 percent
» Increasing cigarette tax by $1 for health care: 70 percent
» Cutting programs to balance budget: 47 percent
» Raising taxes to balance budget: 27 percent
