Taxes, Taxes, Taxes

Poll: Taxes are most pressing problem

What’s the most pressing problem facing the state? The answer is taxes and taxation, according to the 2005 Penn State Poll. Nineteen percent of respondents cited tax issues, followed closely by unemployment/work conditions, cited by 18 percent. Dissatisfaction with government politics placed third on the worry list with 13 percent of the vote. A variety of other issues, including education, health care and fuel prices, made up the remaining 50 percent.

The Center for Survey Research at Penn State Harrisburg has conducted the poll annually since 1987, but it skipped 2004, said Auden Thomas, the center’s director. In 2003, the top three concerns were unemployment/work conditions (25 percent), taxes and taxation (14 percent) education (11 percent). Results are based on a random telephone survey of 859 state residents 18 and older. The calls were made between Oct. 7 and Dec. 17. – CPENN Staff