Support strong for plan to reduce grocery tax

A new Talk Business-Hendrix College Poll of 659 state voters shows that an additional reduction of the grocery tax is supported by nearly three-quarters of the state.

The capital gains tax elimination has more supporters than opponent, but it does not have a majority of support among Arkansans, according to this report at Talk Business.

The poll asked:
Q: Do you think the sales tax on groceries should be cut by one-half cent?
74% — Yes
18% — No
8% — Don’t Know

Q: Supporters of an elimination in Arkansas’ capital gains tax on property and new investments argue it will spur economic growth, while opponents argue that it benefits only the wealthiest Arkansans and threatens spending for existing programs. Should Arkansas’ tax on capital gains be eliminated?
44% — Yes
32% — No
24% — Don’t Know

"The overwhelming popularity of the grocery tax cut is not surprising since it has been a signature issue for Gov. Mike Beebe and the focus of the legislature for 3 consecutive sessions,” noted Roby Brock, editor of Talk Business.

Continuing, Brock said: "The capital gains tax presents more of a mixed result. Clearly, more citizens support it than oppose it, but one-quarter of Arkansans are unsure of their opinion. The legislature, supporters and opponents of the measure all have an opportunity to make convincing arguments to sway public opinion on the issue," Brock said.

POLL BACKGROUND
This poll was conducted by Talk Business Research and Hendrix College. The poll, which has a margin of error of +/- 3.8%, was completed using IVR survey technology on Monday, Feb. 28, 2011 among 659 registered Arkansas voters statewide.