Press Release-November 20, 2007
[Indianapolis, IN] A scientific poll of 652 registered voters demonstrates the magnitude of the property tax crisis to Indiana citizens with 43% responding that property taxes are the most important issue in Indiana. This was more than three times the percentage for any other response. Additionally, 73% agreed or strongly agreed with the repeal of property taxes with a Constitutional Amendment and Advance America’s replacement plan of a combination of sales and income tax increases.
Here are 7 key findings of the poll:
- Property Taxes Are the Biggest Issue in Indiana
When asked to state what is the single biggest issue facing the residents of Indiana, 43% said property taxes. Taxes came in second at 11% and employment and healthcare were both at 8%.
“There is no doubt that property taxes are the single most important issue to Hoosiers. This is what I am hearing as I travel the state and talk with Hoosiers,” stated Eric Miller, Founder of Advance America.
- Voters Hold the General Assembly and Governor Daniels Responsible
When asked who they held “most responsible for the property tax crisis,” the respondents stated the General Assembly at 27% and Governor Daniels at 16%. A total of 10% held local elected officials responsible and 7% held assessors responsible.
“Since the voters hold the General Assembly most responsible for the property tax crisis followed by Governor Daniels, I am hopeful that the Senators and Representatives along with Governor Daniels will support the Constitutional Amendment to repeal property taxes,” Miller stated.
- Voters Aware They Can Lose Their Home
By an overwhelming margin of 90% to 10%, voters are aware that they can lose their home to the government if they cannot pay their property taxes. “Voters realize that under our current property tax system they are only renting from the government. Voters realize that if circumstances arise which prevent them from being able to pay their property taxes, they will lose their home. This is another reason to repeal property taxes,” Miller added.
- Voters Support a Constitutional Amendment to Repeal Property Taxes
When asked if they supported a Constitutional Amendment to repeal property taxes, voters overwhelmingly said “yes.” Of those polled, 53% said they supported a Constitutional Amendment and another 21% said that it depended how the revenue would be replaced. 21% opposed a Constitutional Amendment. “This finding is consistent with what we are hearing from around the state. Hoosiers want property taxes repealed,” Miller said.
- Voters Support Advance America’s Replacement Plan
Respondents were then asked about support for a Constitutional Amendment to repeal property taxes with the revenue being replaced with a 2% sales tax increase and a 1% income tax increase. 73% of the voters either strongly agreed or agreed with the Constitutional Amendment and the replacement plan. Only 17% disagreed or strongly disagreed.
“Advance America has been leading the statewide effort to repeal property taxes with a Constitutional Amendment and to use an increase in the state sales tax of 2% and a 1% increase in the state income tax to help replace the revenue. This result from the poll shows overwhelming support for the Advance America plan to solve the property tax crisis,” Miller said.
- Additional Sources of Replacement Revenue
The two main sources of additional revenue cited by the voters to replace property taxes were cutting state government spending (30%) and increasing gambling revenue (26%). Cutting local government spending was next at 10% and increasing taxes on business was 9%. “Voters are looking to both state and local government officials to cut their spending to help provide additional revenue to replace property taxes. This is another example of the desire by the voters to have both local and state officials to get government spending under control,” stated Miller.
- Voters Do Not Want Legislators To Block A Vote on The Constitutional Amendment to Repeal Property Taxes
When asked if they would be less likely to re-elect an official who blocked a vote in the General Assembly on the Constitutional Amendment, 76% of the voters said they would be less likely to re-elect that official. “This result of the poll is consistent with what Hoosiers are telling us. Hoosiers want the right to vote to repeal property taxes. The results of this question clearly indicates that the actions of any Senator or Representative that stops the amendment from coming to the floor of the House or Senate for a vote will not be looked on favorably by the voters,” Miller added.
Additional information from the poll found that 36% of the 652 registered voters polled identified themselves as Republicans while 25% identified themselves as Democrats. The age of the respondents were as follows: 25% were 65 years or older, 16% between 55 and 64, 27% between 45 and 54, 18% between 35 and 44, 13% between 25 and 34 and 1% between 18 and 24. In terms of gender 53% were female and 47% male.
The poll questions and the results are available at www.AdvanceAmerica.com.
The statewide telephone poll of 652 active Indiana registered voters, conducted September 24th through October 2nd, 2007, was administered by Marketing Informatics, an Indianapolis based company specializing in research, analytics and direct marketing. The margin of error for the poll ranged from plus or minus 3.92% to plus or minus 4.41% at a confidence level of 95%.
More information on Advance America’s plan to repeal property taxes, as well as upcoming rallies, can be found at www.AdvanceAmerica.com or by calling 1-800-448-8683. Additional rallies will be held around the state after property tax bills are received.
Advance America is a non-partisan educational organization that does not endorse any candidate or political party. Advance America was founded by Eric Miler in 1980.
Miller is an attorney and the Founder of Advance America, a conservative pro-family and pro-tax reform organization started in 1980.
Media Contact: Jeff at Advance America 317-684-3300
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