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Iowa: Budget and Taxes

 

Budget Priorities

 

State Spending Priorities

State budget area1
Most important2
High priority
Medium priority
Low priority
No opinion
Expanding health care
25%
62%
27%
10%
1%
Developing economic opportunities to attract more jobs
24%
71%
24%
 4%
1%
Raising teacher salaries to the national average
15%
62%
28%
 9%
1%
Supporting expansion of the biofuels industry
 8%
54%
31%
14%
1%
Holding the line on college tuition increases
 7%
56%
31%
12%
1%
Cleaning Iowa rivers and lakes
 6%
48%
39%
12%
1%
Saving money for future needs / none of these / No opinion
 5%
51%
39%
 9%
1%
Repairing and building major roads and highways
 4%
36%
50%
13%
1%
Reducing property taxes for businesses
 4%
26%
38%
33%
3%
Building a new prison
 2%
20%
38%
40%
2%
Poll
Iowa Poll
Date
January 21-24, 2007
Sample
800
MoE
± 3.5

1 "State revenues have increased over the past year, so there may be extra money available that could be spent. I'm going to mention some projects and proposals. For each, please tell me if you think this should be a high, medium, or low priority for this coming year." The Iowa Poll is sponsored by The Des Moines Register.

2 Asked of those if more than one "high priority" listed. "I'm going to mention the items you said should be high priority. Please tell me which one is the most important to you."

 

Revenue Growth Pays for Spending Increases Without Cuts In Services

Poll Date
True
Not true
No opinion
 Sample MoE
Iowa Poll1 September 10-13, 2006
19%
65%
16%
 600 LV ± 4.0

1 "(Im going to mention some assumption the candidates for governor have discussed as they talk about their plans for the state once they are in office) . State revenue growth will be enough to pay for significant spending increases without cuts in services." The Iowa Poll is sponsored by The Des Moines Register.

 

Proposals to Limit State Spending

Proposal1
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
A constitutional amendment that would allow the state to spend only 99% of the money it takes in through taxes and fees, assuring there will never be a budget deficit where more money is spent than is taken in
75%
19%
6%
A constitutional amendment that would require a 60% majority in the Iowa House and Senate to pass an increase in taxes, instead of the simple majority it takes to raise taxes now
75%
20%
5%
A law that would require a public vote in order to raise income taxes or the state sales tax, with a simple majority of Iowa voters making an increase possible
67%
29%
4%
Poll
Iowa Poll
Date
January 22-25, 1999
Sample
802
MoE
± 3.5

1 "Iowa lawmakers are considering three proposals to limit state spending. In each case, some say these proposals will provide needed spending discipline, while others worry these proposals will put too many constraints on government, especially in difficult times. Please tell me if you favor or oppose each of the following proposals." The Iowa Poll is sponsored by The Des Moines Register.

 

Budget Surplus

 

How To Use Budget Surplus

Use of surplus1
January 22-25, 1999
Earmark it for education
43%
Return it to taxpayers in the form of tax cuts
38%
Leave it all in reserve
 8%
Build more prisons to keep criminals locked up
 5%
Create more parks and recreation facilities
 3%
Other (vol)
 2%
No opinion
 1%
Poll
Iowa Poll
Sample
802
MoE
± 3.5

1 "The state of Iowa has a sizeable budget surplus and roughly half of the money is kept in reserve. Which one of the following ideas do you think is the best use of the rest of the surplus?" The Iowa Poll is sponsored by The Des Moines Register.

 

Taxes (General)

 

Tax Cuts Stimulate the Economy and Increase State Revenues

Poll Date
True
Not true
No opinion
 Sample MoE
Iowa Poll1 September 10-13, 2006
47%
44%
9%
 600 LV ± 4.0

1 "(I'm going to mention some assumption the candidates for governor have discussed as they talk about their plans for the state once they are in office) ... Tax cuts stimulate the economy and result in increased state revenues." The Iowa Poll is sponsored by The Des Moines Register.

 

Impact of Taxes on Economy

Relationship
Help
Hurt
No impact
No opinion
Tax increases1
16%
60%
15%
10%
Tax cuts2
54%
19%
18%
 8%
Poll
Rasmussen
Date
April 25, 2006
Sample
500 LV
MoE
± 4.5

1 "Generally speaking, do tax increases help the economy, hurt the economy, or have no impact on the economy?"

2 "Do tax cuts help the economy, hurt, the economy, or have no impact on the economy?"

 

Tax Cut Priority

Poll Date
Personal Income
Local property
Inheritance
Sales
No opinion
 Sample MoE
Iowa Poll1 January 22-25, 1999
41%
34%
11%
12%
2%
 800 ± 3.5

1 "If the Iowa Legislature decides to cut taxes within the next year, which one of the following types of taxes do you think is most in need of reduction: personal income tax, local property taxes, inheritance taxes, or the sales tax?" The Iowa Poll is sponsored by The Des Moines Register.

 

Taxes (Income)

 

Evaluation of Federal Income Tax Cut

Poll Date
Great or moderate
Little or none
No opinion
 Sample MoE
Iowa Poll1 May 17-20, 2003
41%
55%
4%
 800 ± 3.5

1 The Iowa Poll is sponsored by The Des Moines Register.

 

Tax Cuts for the Wealthy

Poll Date
Tax cuts
for all
No cuts for >
$200,000
In
between
No
opinion
 Sample MoE
Humphrey Institute1 June 21 – July 12, 2004
41%
43%
10%
5%
 614 RV ± 4.0

1 "Which statement comes closest to your point of view or do you fall somewhere in between? The government in Washington should cut taxes for everyone, including people making over $200,000 a year, even it means reducing services OR the government should cut taxes for everyone, except for people making over $200,00 in order to provide services."

 

Taxes (Gasoline)

 

Federal Gas Tax Holiday

Poll Date
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
Sample MoE
Rasmussen1 May 13, 2008
42%
48%
11%
 500 LV ± 4.5

1 "Currently, there is a federal tax of 18 cents per gallon on gasoline. Proposals have been made for a gas tax holiday that would eliminate the gas tax for the summer. Do you favor or oppose a tax holiday to eliminate the federal gas tax for the summer?"

 

Raising Gasoline Tax for Improvements to Streets and Highways

Poll Date
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
 Sample MoE
Iowa Poll1 January 21-24, 2007
28%
69%
3%
 800 ± 3.5

1 "(I'm going to mention some proposals that may come before the state legislature in the next few months. For each, please tell me if you favor or oppose the proposal.) . Raising the tax on gasoline to pay for improvements to streets and highways." The Iowa Poll is sponsored by The Des Moines Register.

 

Taxes (Education)

 

Expanding Sales Tax for Education Programs

Poll Date
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
 Sample MoE
Iowa Poll1 February 7-11, 2004
63%
29%
8%
 800 ± 3.5

1 "The governor has proposed three ways to increase state revenues. For each of the three I describe, please tell me if you favor or oppose the proposal: expanding the sales tax to include 17 services that are not currently taxed, including accounting and engineering, and using the money for education." The Iowa Poll is sponsored by The Des Moines Register.

 

Taxes (Cigarettes)

 

Raising Cigarette Tax By $1 Per Pack

Poll Date
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
 Sample MoE
Iowa Poll1 January 21-24, 2007
67%
30%
3%
 800 ± 3.5

1 "(I'm going to mention some proposals that may come before the state legislature in the next few months. For each, please tell me if you favor or oppose the proposal.) ... Increasing the tax on cigarettes by one dollar per pack." The Iowa Poll is sponsored by The Des Moines Register.

 

Raising Cigarette Tax for Health Care Programs

Poll Date
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
 Sample MoE
Iowa Poll2 September 10-16, 2006
66%
31%
3%
 600 LV ± 4.0
Iowa Poll1 February 7-11, 2004
70%
29%
1%
 800 ± 3.5

1 "The governor has proposed three ways to increase state revenues. For each of the three I describe, please tell me if you favor or oppose the proposal: raising the cigarette tax by 60 cents a pack in order to increase spending on health care programs." The Iowa Poll is sponsored by The Des Moines Register.

2 "(Now I'd like to mention some specific issues the candidates for governor have advocated. For each position, please tell me if you favor or oppose the proposal.) ... Raise the cigarette tax by $1 per pack to pay for health programs." The Iowa Poll is sponsored by The Des Moines Register.

 

Taxes (Property)

 

Commercial Property Taxes Hinder Iowa Businesses

Poll Date
True
Not true
No opinion
 Sample MoE
Iowa Poll1 September 10-13, 2006
44%
40%
16%
 600 LV ± 4.0

1 "(I'm going to mention some assumption the candidates for governor have discussed as they talk about their plans for the state once they are in office) ... Current taxes on commercial property are hindering Iowa businesses." The Iowa Poll is sponsored by The Des Moines Register.

 

Taxes (Federal)

 

Support Increasing Capital Gains Tax

Poll Date
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
Sample MoE
Rasmussen1 May 13, 2008
19%
61%
21%
 500 LV ± 4.5

1 "A proposal has been made to increase the capital gains tax from 15% to 28%. Do you favor oppose increasing the capital gains tax to 28%?"

 

Increase In Capital Gains Tax Effect On Economy

Poll Date
Help
Hurt
Neither
No opinion
 Sample MoE
Rasmussen1 May 13, 2008
17%
50%
19%
14%
 500 LV ± 4.5

1 "If the capital gains tax is increased to 28%, will that help the economy or hurt the economy?"

 

Need More Federal Tax Revenue to Fund Highway Repairs and Health Care

Poll Date
Yes
No
No opinion
Sample MoE
Rasmussen1 May 13, 2008
34%
51%
15%
 500 LV ± 4.5

1 "Does the federal government need more tax revenue to fund important national programs such as highway repairs and health care reform?"

 

Worried Next President Will Raise Taxes Too Much

Poll Date
Very worried
Somewhat worried
Not very worried
Not at all worried
No opinion
Sample MoE
Rasmussen1 May 13, 2008
31%
29%
31%
7%
2%
 500 LV ± 4.5

1 "Some people are worried that the next President will raise so much that it will harm the economy. How worried are you that the next President will raise taxes too much?"

 

Worried Next President Will Cut Taxes Too Much

Poll Date
Very worried
Somewhat worried
Not very worried
Not at all worried
No opinion
Sample MoE
Rasmussen1 May 13, 2008
9%
23%
40%
24%
4%
 500 LV ± 4.5

1 "Some people are worried that the next President will cut so much that it will harm important government programs. How worried are you that the next President will cut taxes too much?"

 

Impact of Taxes On Vote Choice

 

Vote for Candidate Who Would Raise Taxes

Poll Date
Yes
No
No opinion
 Sample MoE
Rasmussen1 October 5, 2006
41%
38%
21%
 500 LV ± 4.5

1 "Would you ever consider voting for a candidate who said he would raise taxes?"