A poll shows that most Arkansans would not support increased income taxes to pay for education reform, and about half oppose a sales tax increase, but many are willing to take a chance on a lottery.
The poll was conducted by Opinion Research Associates Incorporated of Little Rock for the Stephens Media Group. The survey showed that 71% were opposed to paying more in income taxes to support public education.
The poll also showed that only 47% support a penny increase in the sales tax with proceeds dedicated to public schools.
Fifty-seven percent said they would favor a state-run lottery as a method of raising money, with 46% strongly favoring that method. On the opposite side, 40% opposed a lottery, most of them strongly.
Voters were closely split on whether they might support casinos.
Arkansas legislators are attempting to raise more than $400 million to support a new $2.7 billion school-funding formula passed in the current special legislative session.
Legislative researchers say a lottery could raise $40 million or more, depending on its structure. No lottery bills have been filed. A one-cent sales tax would bring in about $387 million annually.
Opinion Research called 500 Arkansans -- 125 registered voters in each of the state's four congressional districts -- January 29th through Monday. The poll's margin of error was 4.5 percentage points, meaning the results could be 4.5 points higher or lower.
I get in this argument with my inlaws all the time....they don't want a lottery, yet they want me and the missus to move out to Ark. to be closer to them. I keep telling them that if Ark. ever gets a lottery, I would be happy to apply for a job and move out there.
Maybe that's why the Clint
I get in this argument with my inlaws all the time....they don't want a lottery, yet they want me and the missus to move out to Ark. to be closer to them. I keep telling them that if Ark. ever gets a lottery, I would be happy to apply for a job and move out there.