-69% want cigarette taxes to be increased by a dollar a pack
-66% want corporate income taxes to be increased by one percentage point
-62% want to raise the top rates on the state income tax
-57% want to extend the sales tax to currently tax-free services such as tanning salons and health clubs
On the other hand, few Marylanders support a one percentage point increase in the sales tax (29%) or a 10-cent gas tax hike (37%). I doubt Marylanders are keen on property tax increases either.
Still, the results of the poll surprised me. Sure, Maryland is a progressive state, but a generation of Republican governors in Massachusetts can tell you that liberal voters often oppose tax increases.
I wish I could figure out exactly what factors go into determining whether or not the public accepts higher taxes. I'm sure more than a few elected officials wish they could too.
