When Californians are asked whether they would “rather pay higher taxes and have a state government that provides more services” or “pay lower taxes and have a state government that provides fewer services,” 51 percent prefer lower taxes and fewer services, according to a new poll by the Public Policy Institute of California.
Another 2 percent of respondents said they don’t know which option they prefer.
The question is frequently included in the PPIC’s polls, and the results consistently show that Californians desire lower taxes (a May 2024 poll found that 56 percent supported lower taxes and fewer services, while a January 2023 poll pegged the number at 52 percent). (CalTax: The question is useful in gauging the mood of the public, but as we have noted many times, higher taxes do not always result in more services, nor do lower taxes necessarily result in fewer services.)
The poll was conducted from February 4 to February 11 in English and Spanish, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percent.
Of the 1,589 California adult residents who participated in the survey, 47 percent are registered Democrats, 24 percent are registered Republicans, 27 percent are registered to vote without a party preference, and 2 percent belong to another party.