Poll: CT Voters Don't Like Dem Gov Malloy's Middle Class Tax Hike

More Connecticut voters disapprove than approve of new Democratic governor Dannel Malloy, the first Democrat to lead the state in 20 years, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll. The margin of disapproval for Malloy is 40 - 35 percent, with 25 percent undecided.

The culprit is Malloy's budget, which calls for $1.5 billion in new taxes, $1 billion in concessions from public employees, and about $800 million in spending cuts in an effort to close a $3.3 billion deficit.

It's not surprising that voters don't like the prospect of higher taxes, but a slight majority of those polled actually narrowly agree a tax hike is necessary to balance the budget, 50 - 46 percent. But they don't like the mix of Malloy's tax package. He wants higher income tax rates to kick in for individuals who make $50,000, along with a mix of new taxes and fees on previously untaxed services. “Specifically, they think he is raising taxes too much," said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz. "While voters think he is raising taxes too much on the middle class, they think he could raise taxes on the wealthy more."

Other highlights from the poll:

• 69 - 29 percent against hiking income taxes on anyone making more than $50,000 a year;
• 52 - 47 percent against increasing the state sales tax from 6 percent to 6.35 percent;
• 59 - 40 percent against expanding the sales tax to haircuts, car washes and other services;
• 70 - 29 percent against charging sales tax on clothing and footwear under $50;
• 74 - 20 percent against eliminating the $500 property tax credit on the state income tax;
• 82 - 17 percent against increasing the gas tax 3 cents per gallon. "Voters overwhelmingly disapprove of Malloy's proposed increases in the income tax and gas tax. They oppose eliminating the property tax credit and ending the sales tax exemption for clothes under $50," Schwartz said. "They do agree, however, with proposed increases in 'sin taxes' on alcohol and cigarettes, and with wage freezes and furloughs for state employees and - if necessary - layoffs."

The hit in the polls was not unanticipated for Malloy's team. "Gov. Malloy has put forward an honest budget that asks virtually everyone in Connecticut to make sacrifices because he believes that’s the only way we’re going to fix what’s broken and put Connecticut back to work," Malloy senior advisor Roy Occhiogrosso said in a statement. "That people are unhappy with those sacrifices is no surprise."