Fact #416: March 20, 2006
Consumer Views on Gasoline Taxes
A New York Times poll conducted last month asked consumers their views on gasoline taxes. Consumer support for a gasoline tax largely depended on the result it could have. The questions were:
- Would you favor or oppose an increased Federal tax on gasoline?
- What if your payroll taxes or income taxes were reduced as a result of the increased gasoline tax, then would you favor or oppose an increased Federal tax on gasoline?
- What if the increased tax on gasoline would reduce the United States' dependence on foreign oil, then would you favor or oppose an increased Federal tax on gasoline?
- What if the increase tax on gasoline would cut down on energy consumption and reduce global warming, then would you favor or oppose an increase Federal tax on gasoline?
- What if the increased tax were $2.00 per gallon, then would you be in favor or oppose an increased Federal tax on gasoline?
Conditions for Favoring a Gasoline Tax
Supporting Information
| Share of Respondents that Favored | |
|---|---|
| Favor gas tax? | 12% |
| Favor if income tax reduced? | 28% |
| Favor if oil dependence lessened? | 55% |
| Favor if global warming reduced? | 59% |
| Favor if tax is $2.00/gal? | 17% |
|
Source: New York Times/CBS News Poll, February 22-26, 2006, N=1018 (PDF 119 KB) Download Adobe Reader. | |
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