Agricultural Economics Department

 

Date of this Version

2013

Document Type

Article

Citation

Nebraska Rural Poll, Research Report (July 2013) 13-3, 23 pages

Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Also available at https://ruralpoll.unl.edu/pdf/13taxes.pdf

Abstract

Most rural Nebraskans seem content with current levels of spending on many public services and activities. Over one-half propose no changes in the level of spending for most of the public services listed. Only one item, unemployment compensation, had a majority say they would like to see less spending for it. And, many rural Nebraskans would propose an increase in spending for education as well as roads and bridges.

Not surprising, many groups favor an increase in spending on items important to them. Younger persons are more likely than older persons to favor an increase in spending for education. Persons with lower incomes are more likely than persons with higher incomes to support increased spending for medical assistance to the poor. And, persons with agriculture occupations are more likely to support an increase in spending for roads and bridges.

When asked how they would fund five major expenditures, rural Nebraskans are mixed in their preferences of funding sources. Many rural Nebraskans propose using income taxes, sales tax and property taxes to fund primary/secondary education, public safety and roads and bridges. Many rural Nebraskans propose user fees fund higher education. And, two in ten rural Nebraskans say no public funds should be used for higher education. Many rural Nebraskans have no opinion on funding sources for medical assistance to the poor. Just over two in ten rural Nebraskans say no public funds should be used for medical assistance to the poor. Younger persons are more likely than older persons to say no public funds should be used for medical assistance to the poor.

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