Gonzales Poll Finds Majority Opposition Among All Demographic Groups
(ROCKVILLE, MD) – March 3, 2008 – An overwhelming majority of Marylanders say the computer services sales tax passed last fall by the General Assembly is a bad idea, according to a poll released today by the Tech Council of Maryland. The poll conducted by Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies, found majority opposition to the levy cuts across party lines: 54% of Democrats, 64% of Republicans and 62% of Independents.
Majority opposition to the tax was consistent throughout the state, including the Eastern Shore, Southern Maryland, Baltimore City, Baltimore suburbs, Washington, D.C. suburbs and Western Maryland, as well as across race and gender lines.
Nearly half of the respondents (46%) are afraid the tax will have a negative impact on technology jobs in the state, and 63% would favor repealing the tax if businesses and jobs are driven out of state because of it.
"The survey proves what we have been saying – that the computer services sales tax is bad for Maryland," said Julie Coons, CEO of the Tech Council of Maryland. "Regardless of party affiliation or where they live in the state, Marylanders understand that technology is the backbone of our economy and it is pound foolish to enact policies that drive jobs out of state. We would hope that our legislators would get the message before its too late."
About the Survey
Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies conducted the telephone survey of 807 registered Maryland voters from February 23 - March 1 2008. A cross-section of interviews was conducted in each jurisdiction within the state to reflect general election voting patterns. The poll has a margin of error of 3.5 points.
###
ABOUT THE TECH COUNCIL OF MARYLAND, INC.
The Tech Council of Maryland (TCM) is the largest technology trade group serving the advanced technology and biotechnology communities of Maryland. TCM's mission is to advocate for the interests of the technology community, further the role of technology in the Maryland economy, and nurture an environment where technology companies can collaborate, grow and succeed. For more information, visit www.techcouncilmd.com.