An Analysis Of A Survey Of Idaho Citizen'S Preferences For State And Local Public Finance Revenues And Expenditures

In November 1993, 596 of 2900 public finance surveys from individuals selected at random from the 1993 Idaho motor vehicle registration list were sent out and returned. From this survey, it was found that respondents want to reduce the share of tax revenues paid through property taxes. They prefer to increase support for infrastructure and schools and reduce corrections and social service expenditures. They trust the effectiveness of local government more than state government. They favor increased revenue sharing to local governments funded through sales taxes. They view the sales tax as the most fair of the taxes in Idaho. They are equally divided over the options of increasing the sales tax rate, extending the base to personal consumption services, and/or eliminating production equipment exemptions. The respondents revealed preference for public finance reform includes the following. First, reduce state government expenditures on corrections and social services (support 60-76%). Second, return the saved resources from these programs to local governments as additional revenue sharing funds (support 64%). Third, local government uses one portion of these funds to increase spending on public education and infrastructure (support 71-72%) . Forth, they use the other portion to reduce property taxes (support 60%). Finally, this program of restructuring is presented and explained to citizens through the media (support 78%