Reality bites, don't it Arnold?
Most in State Support Some Tax Increases
Higher levies on alcohol, tobacco and the wealthy are suggested to help close the budget gap. Boxer holds a big lead over Jones for Senate.
By Michael Finnegan
Times Staff Writer
April 25, 2004
With the state mired in a budget crisis for the fourth year in a row, most Californians support raising taxes and expect Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature to adopt that approach, a new Los Angeles Times poll has found.
The Republican governor has resisted calls by Democrats to cushion spending cuts with higher taxes, but in recent weeks has hinted at flexibility, given the depth of the state's fiscal troubles.
The poll found that the public strongly favors increasing taxes in at least several areas. Nearly four out of five Californians back higher taxes on cigarettes, and, by the same margin, alcoholic beverages. An overwhelming 69% support raising income taxes on the wealthy. On the question of a sales tax increase, the state is almost evenly split.
The poll also found that Democrat Barbara Boxer is strongly favored for reelection to the U.S. Senate in November. If the election were held today, she would trounce her Republican challenger, former Secretary of State Bill Jones, 54% to 34%. Jones remains largely unknown to most voters.
