Taxes Too High for City Services: Philly Poll

Concerned with high tax burden, residents also want better services

Philadelphians are increasingly concerned about the overall local tax burden and many are not satisfied with the services they get for their money.

But another finding of a new poll released on Tuesday finds some taxpayers would be willing to pay more for improved services.

The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Philadelphia Research Initiative shows 70 percent believe taxes are a “somewhat serious” or “very serious” problem in their neighborhoods. That’s up from 62 percent in 2011 and 55 percent in 2010.

However, 49 percent say would favor paying higher taxes for more city services, with 42 percent favoring lower taxes and fewer services. Residents were evenly split on those questions in 2011 and 2010.

“Philadelphians send a variety of messages about taxes,” said Larry Eichel, project director of the Philadelphia Research Initiative.

The sections of the city most willing to accept higher taxes are West Philadelphia, 58 percent to 35 percent, and South Philadelphia, 52 to 38 percent. Area areas favoring the fewer services/lower taxes option are Northeast Philadelphia, 51 percent to 43 percent, and North Philadelphia, 47 percent to 43 percent.

On the question of whether taxpayers are getting their money’s worth, 54 percent say taxes are too high for what they’re getting back, while 39 percent feel they’re getting a good deal for what they pay out.

The poll was conducted from Jan. 4-19, among 1,600 city residents.The poll’s margin of error is plus or minus 2.5 percent.

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