Paving for Progress sales tax renewal has ‘overwhelming’ support, survey says

According to a survey released from the Paving for More Progress Committee, the Cedar Rapids local option sales tax renewal on November 2 is garnering a positive reception.

66.7% of respondents are in favor of extending the sales tax, while 29.6% indicated they will vote to end the sales tax. 3.7% of respondents were undecided.

The vote which ensures the extension of the one penny sales tax beyond 2024 if passed will publicly fund road construction and improvement for another ten years.

“The survey reaffirms what we believed; the citizens of Cedar Rapids strongly support the Paving for Progress program because they understand safer streets protect drivers, and smooth streets save money, reducing wear and tear and damage to vehicles,” said Ralph Russell, Chair of the Paving for More Progress Committee.

As of 2020, approximately $122 million was invested into local roads accounting for more than 60 linear miles of roadway improvement. In less than three years, 66% of Cedar Rapids citizens will be within walking distance of a completed project. Local leaders believe eliminating the sales tax runs the risk of allowing local infrastructure to deteriorate once again, resulting in unsafe streets.

68.5% of voters believe previous funds have been put to good use by the city and 82.1% believe the sales tax is worth avoiding traffic delays due to poor streets.

Ann Poe, Co-Chair of the Paving for Progress Committee added, “Using a local option sales tax, instead of property taxes to fund road and street repairs ensures everyone who uses our roadways, including out-of-town visitors, pays their fair share. In addition, the sales tax allows the city to take a “pay-as-you-go” approach instead of taking on debt to improve our streets.”

This survey was conducted by Victory Enterprises, a political consulting and public opinion firm headquartered in Davenport, Iowa. They completed 514 interviews from likely voters in Cedar Rapids “balanced by council district, gender, party registration, and age.”