Oklahoma
League
of Political
Scientists
Policy
Survey #2 - Spring 2000
Detailed Summary of Results
Number
of Surveys Returned = 33
SALES
TAX
1. In the state of Oklahoma, how likely could political support be found for tax reform based on the general economic principle that sales taxes should be broad-based, i.e., apply to the majority of businesses (excepting perhaps such organizations as education, health, and non-profits), regardless of whether they provide goods or services?
a) Likelihood that support of the public (i.e. voters) could be found
|
Very
Likely |
Likely |
Unlikely |
Very
Unlikely |
Undecided |
|
6% |
32% |
48% |
13% |
0% |
b) Likelihood that support of policy makers could be found
|
Very
Likely |
Likely |
Unlikely |
Very
Unlikely |
Undecided |
|
0% |
29% |
55% |
16% |
0% |
2. Assume for the moment the sales tax was extended to a broader range of services. One possible result of such an extension would be that the sales tax rate could be reduced while retaining approximately the same total current level of tax collections. For the following types of services, which ones do you think it would be likely that political support could be found for extending a sales tax: (check all the apply)
|
|
Public |
Policy
Makers |
Personal Services |
23% |
42% |
|
Business
Services |
32% |
45% |
|
Auto
Repair Services |
26% |
42% |
|
Miscellaneous
Repair Services |
29% |
45% |
|
Computer
Services |
26% |
26% |
|
Professional
Services |
29% |
13% |
|
Internet
Service |
13% |
29% |
3. Assume for the moment that the state of Oklahoma and its local governments were able to adopt a sales tax on a broader range of services such as those listed above. Depending on whether the sales tax rate remained at its current level, this could produce substantially more revenues for both levels of government. Indicate the rank order, with 1=highest level of support, for the following five uses of the additional revenues in terms of which uses would be most likely to receive the support of the public and political leaders.
|
|
Public |
Policy
Makers |
|
Keep the sales tax at their current levels and use the additional funds generated to eliminate the sales tax on groceries |
1.5% |
1.9% |
|
Use the additional funds generated to reduce the overall sales tax rate, retaining the sales tax on groceries |
2.3% |
2.4% |
|
Keep the sales tax rates at their current levels and use the additional funds generated to reduce personal and business income taxes |
2.7% |
3.0% |
|
Keep the sales tax rates at their current levels and allow state and local governments to use the additional funds for improving state and local services, programs, and infrastructure (including public schools, roads, higher education, economic development, etc. |
3.5% |
2.7% |
4. If the federal government were to pass legislation authorizing state and local taxes on goods sold by out-of-state businesses via the Internet, mail-order catalog, or other means, which of the following political rationales should be used to justify modifying Oklahoma laws to permit such sales taxation in the state? Indicate your reasoning in rank order, with 1 = strongest reason.
|
|
Rank |
|
“Level the playing field” between local retailers and out-of-state retailers |
1.57 |
|
Insure that state and local governments will not suffer revenue losses due to the increasing volume of sales of goods by out-of-state businesses |
1.97 |
|
To raise additional revenues for underfunded governmental programs |
3.53 |
|
To reduce other state and local taxes |
2.97 |