News-Record.com

From a recent Carolina Issues Poll by NC Policy Watch:

"Right now, state legislators are considering a proposal to cut the income tax rate paid by the wealthiest 2% of North Carolinians. Do you support such a tax cut?"

If you would say no, you agree with two-thirds of the 504 North Carolina residents surveyed.

Now try this question:

"Do you support another extension of the increase in the top state income tax rate that the General Assembly promised was 'temporary' when it was first enacted in 2001?"

NC Policy Watch didn't ask that, of course, but it's simply a restatement of the first question from a different angle.

Nevermind that the taxpayers affected are at the top of the income bracket. Just ponder whether it's really a "tax cut" to allow a temporary tax increase to sunset as previously scheduled -- and as taxpayers were promised it would.

But, from the way survey questions were worded, I have to guess that NC Policy Watch is trying to derive a certain result on its survey.

Look at Question 2, for example. It begins with a declaration: "Right now, when all state and local taxes are combined, the wealthiest 2% of North Carolinians pay a much smaller share of their incomes in taxes than persons of middle and lower income."

Let's forget that this is a gross overgeneralization, besides being totally unclear. How do the questioners define the wealthiest 2%? By income? By the value of their property? By their investments? The answer makes a huge difference in how much they pay in state and local taxes. But, moving on ...

"Some say this is unfair. Others say these lower rates help keep wealthy people from moving out of state. Would you support a law that raised the overall tax rate on the wealthy so that they paid the same as lower and middle income taxpayers?"

Not surprisingly, 72 percent answered in the affirmative. Why, of course those richest of the rich should pay the same rates as the rest of us!

But this is completely confusing the particulars of our tax structure. In fact, the question even contradicts itself.

Remember that it began with a focus on "all state and local taxes." When talking about tax "rates," let's think about some of the major taxes. In terms of sales and property taxes, the rich don't get a special break. Everyone in the same jurisdiction pays the same rate. In terms of income taxes, those with higher incomes pay higher rates, not the same or lower.

So, what's going on with this question? It begins by stating that the rich pay a smaller share of their incomes in total state and local taxes, but then it shifts to a question about tax rates. In other words, you're told about apples but asked about oranges. The difference might change the way you answer.

One question on this survey is quite straightforward, however -- the very first. It asks respondents whether they think state and local taxes in North Carolina are too high, inadequate or about right.

The answers are too high, 64 percent; about right, 25 percent; and inadequate, 11 percent.

Not much of a groundswell for raising taxes there.