Washington poll shows voter support for proposed income tax initiative
May 25, 2010
OLYMPIA, Washington: The statewide income tax has been a controversial topic even before an initiative was proposed for the 2010 ballot. However, a recent poll by The Washington Poll - a nonpartisan, academic survey research project sponsored by the University of Washington - revealed that of the 1,252 registered voters surveyed an estimated 58% are in favor of a statewide income tax. Voters were polled from May 3 through May 23. Approximately 30% said they were opposed to the proposed initiative, while 10% said they remained undecided. The proposed initiative requires a minimum of 241,153 valid petition signatures by July 2, 2010 to qualify for the November 2, 2010 statewide ballot.[1][2]
Specifically, the proposed measure calls for taxing gross income above $400,000 joint, reduce the state share of property tax 20 percent, reduce business taxes and direct revenues to education and health.[3] It is estimated that the proposed initiative would generate $1 billion per year. The initiative was later amended to include registered domestic partners for filing joint returns.[4]
The state of Washington is currently one of seven states in the country without a personal income tax. According to reports, voters have rejected attempts to establish a personal or corporate income tax five times; the last time being in the 1970s. The state of Washington's revenue currently comes from two main sources: sales tax and business-and-occupation tax. A graduated income tax was first enacted by initiative in 1932, however, it was thrown out by the Washington Supreme Court in 1933.[5]
Recent polls are listed in the chart below:
| Date of Poll | Pollster | In favor | Opposed | Undecided | Number polled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 21, 2010 | Survey USA | 66% | 27% | 6% | 500 |
| May 3 - May 23, 2010 | The Washington Poll | 58% | 30% | 10% | 1,252 |
| June 9 - June 13, 2010 | The Elway Poll | 46% | 46% | 8% | 405 |
| July 27 - Aug. 1, 2010 | Public Policy Polling | 41% | 41% | 18% | 1,204 |
| Aug. 26 - Aug. 29, 2010 | Survey USA | 41% | 33% | 26% | 650 |
| Sept. 9 - Sept. 12, 2010 | The Elway Poll | 44% | 42% | 14% | 500 |
| Sept. 30 - Oct. 3, 2010 | Survey USA | 41% | 39% | 20% | 639 |
| Oct. 7 - Oct. 10, 2010 | The Elway Poll | 41% | 48% | 11% | 400 |
| Oct. 5-14 & Oct. 18-28, 2010 | The Washington Poll | 43% | 54% | 3% | 695 |
| Oct. 24 - Oct. 27, 2010 | SurveyUSA | 34% | 56% | 10% | 504 |
See also
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Footnotes
- ↑ The Washington Poll, "Issues and Opinions May 2010," May 24, 2010
- ↑ The Oregonian, "Washington voters may buy income tax on wealthy, poll shows," May 24, 2010
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State - From Our Corner, "Income tax on high-wage earners?" April 21, 2010
- ↑ Seattle Post-Intelligencer, "Income tax backers tweak measure to include domestic partners," April 23, 2010
- ↑ Associated Press, "Wash. income tax measure seeks major tax overhaul," April 21, 2010
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