UT/TT Poll: Anti-Tax Pledges Lack Majority Support
Tax pledges don't appeal to everyone, but they appeal strongly to the most conservative Texans, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll.
Just over a third of those polled — 36 percent — agreed that "candidates should pledge not to raise taxes before the primary elections." But 47 percent went the other way, agreeing that "candidates should not make pledges before the fiscal situation is clear.
The numbers behind those numbers, however, are revealing: The split illustrates the divide between those who identify themselves as conservatives and those who don't. Voters who identified themselves as Democrats were ...
Comments (10)
Jeff Cunningham
As long as the public keeps electing these people to positions of authority, do not be surprised if they keep promising the very thing that gets them elected. Polls are always nice. But the ultimate poll will be when one candidate refuses to commit while the other pledges no new taxes. And the non-commit wins. I can't remember the last time that happened. These polls are feel goods for the "enlightened" crowd. However the polls do not elect people. The voters do that.
Anya Khan
Political pledges on almost all topics, including taxes, are silly. It shows a lack of flexibiity and unwillingness to compromise. I would rather hear "I do not plan on raising taxes" vs "No, new taxes"
Suzanne Hardie Lander via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Unless the other 17% would still rather vote for someone who promised them lower taxes....
Luisa Inez Newton via Texas Tribune on Facebook
taxes are part of what's required to be a civilized nation
Katherine Savers McGovern via Texas Tribune on Facebook
A Member of the Texas Legislature should take only one oath - the oath of office when sworn in. Any other "oath", "pledge" or "promise" to a third party is contrary to his/her duty to represent the people of Texas. If I am elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, the only oath I will take is the Constitutional oath of office when I am sworn in as a Member of Congress.
gypsy314 ne
This is a dam good reason to be very picky about who Texans elect to lead us. Texas can not keep jobs by tax hikes. We need to control spending if we bring in a dollar spend only 75 cents keep 25 cents for hard times. Do away with unions and offer school vouchers so parents and teacher can teach our children do away with all other staff. Also stop spend Tax payers money on illegal aliens period.
David Huang via Texas Tribune on Facebook
All tax pledges do is tie your hands when push comes to shove. Also, look at the sheer amount of influence someone like Grover Norquist has over legislators. If they decide to break the phony pledge they sign, he basically runs them out of office. It's blackmail.
Michelle Michon via Texas Tribune on Facebook
AMEN Sister!
Philip Welsh via Texas Tribune on Facebook
How about candidates advocate for the voters and for the good of society instead of advocating for special interests!
Paul Underbrink via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Pledges not to raise taxes--and pledges not to cut sacred spending programs like Social Security, Medicare and Defense budget--are a huge influence on modern political contests. Voters like to know where their elected representatives stand. That we now have trillion-dollar deficits and a staggering national debt is simply the natural consequence of getting exactly what we vote for.