Poll shows support for CR streets sales tax

Backers of extending the local-option sales tax in Cedar Rapids for street projects released some rosy poll results today.

The poll, commissioned by the Fix the Streets Committee and conducted by Davenport-based Victory Enterprises, showed 67.8 percent would "probably" or "definitely" support a tax extension "to pay for street repairs and hold down property taxes." Another 25.8 percent would "probably" or "definitely" vote no. And 6.3 percent were undecided. The survey included 400 local voters.

Among the most committed voters, "definitely" yes out-polled "definitely" no 43.3 to 17 percent.

The poll also asked "if the city were to increase spending in just one area, which of these would be your top priority? Street improvements, parks and recreation, economic development or public safety?" Street improvements topped the list at 78.5 percent. Economic development came in a distant second at 8 percent.

I asked for the full crosstabs for the poll, the more detailed results breakdowns, but Victory Enterprises' Brian Dumas said no dice. He did give me the poll's demographics:

The 1-5 are council districts, so the largest sample is in Monica Vernon's District 2, followed by Scott Olson's District 4 and Pay Shey's District 3. I'd really like to see polling results by district, age, party, etc. Not sure why those crosstabs aren't available.

I also wonder how adding "hold down property taxes" to the question affects responses. Backers of the tax argue that passing the sales tax would put an end to bonding for street projects, with bonds that have to be paid back with property taxes. Fair enough. But I'd rather see a clean question solely on the tax extension.

Now, before anyone gets too giddy/gloomy, remember a Victory Enterprises poll released in January 2011 showed broad support for a 20-year tax extension that would have gone half for flood protection and half for streets. That measure failed narrowly in May 2011. In that poll, 44 percent definitely supported the tax proposal and 22 percent "somewhat" supported. The only poll that matters...you know the rest.