LITTLE ROCK — Voters oppose two tax hike proposals designed to benefit state highways, according to a poll released today.
Voters will decide a Legislative-referred temporary half-cent sales tax increase proposal in the November general election, and supporters of a proposed increase in the state severance tax are currently gathering signatures in an effort to win a spot on the ballot.
In the poll, conducted by Talk Business and Hendrix College, 50.5 percent said they oppose the half-cent sales tax increase, while 41.5 percent said the support, and 8 percent said they didn’t know.
The poll of 759 likely Arkansas voters who have participated in at least two of the last four general elections was conducted March 26. The poll has margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 percent.
Under the proposed constitutional amendment, revenue from the sales tax hike would fund a $1.8 billion highway improvement plan featuring four-lane highways connecting all parts of the state.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“I think the question will be what kind of investment is made by the proponents of this measure, which was sent out by the Legislature for a vote,” said Hendrix College political science professor Jay Barth. “It’s possible that a very ardent campaign for this could turn it around, but I think it’s a tough battled.”
On whether to support a severance tax on natural gas from 5 percent to 7 percent, 55 percent of voters said they would oppose it, 28 percent said they would support it. Another 17 percent said they didn’t know.
The proposal, which has been certified by Attorney General Dustin McDaniel is being pushed by former gas company executive Sheffield Nelson, who is now trying to gather at least $62,507 signatures by July 6 to qualify it for the general election.
Most of the $250 million that Nelson estimates his proposal would raise annually would be earmarked for state local roads.
The proposal is supported by the Arkansas Municipal League. A coalition of business people led by the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas opposes the proposal, as does the County Judges’ Association of Arkansas.
Voters also were asked if they would support a campaign and ethics reform initiative.
Of those polled, 69 percent said they would support it, 18 percent said they would not and 13 percent said they didn’t know.
The Campaign Finance Transparency and Lobbying Reform Act of 2012 was rejected in March by Attorney General Dustin McDaniel.
Supporters of the proposal, a group calling themselves the Regnat Populus 2012 Ballot Question Committee, have resubmitted the proposal after making changes.