Feeling overtaxed? Some willing to pay more to protect NC jobs, education

Elon University released some interesting polling information Monday to coincide with Tax Day.

When asked about taxes and the state budget, poll respondents said they opposed the creation of new taxes to address the budget shortfall.

Yet when asked to consider an extension of the temporary one cent sales tax for another year, as well as simply increasing the state sales tax by one cent to take care of the budget shortfall, citizens were  supportive of both options:

– 54 percent support increasing the state sales tax

– 73 percent support extending the temporary increase for another year.

That support grows if the revenue is dedicated to public education (public schools, community colleges, and universities):

– 71 percent of citizens support a one cent increase in the sales tax.

- 60 percent of respondents oppose eliminating the jobs of current employees to take care of the budget shortfall.

The complete poll data (with results on alternative energy, voter ID, and gun ownership) can be found here.