A new statewide poll shows overwhelming support for the idea of raising the tobacco tax by $1.50 a pack. The survey reveals seven out of ten California voters favor the tax to help balance the state budget.
The poll shows bipartisan support for raising the tobacco tax in California. The vast majority of Democrats are in favor of it, as are two out of three Republicans.
Pollster Dave Metz says people were also asked to weigh in on other options. These include increasing state income taxes on the wealthy, an oil extraction tax, and raising alcohol taxes.
"When voters were asked to choose between them and asked which one they preferred, the tobacco tax was the overwhelming preference, by more than a 2-to-1 margin over any of those other potential taxes," says Metz
Nonetheless, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and other Republican lawmakers say they won't approve any tax hikes.
