A majority of North Carolinians support extending the temporary one cent sales tax another year, according to a new survey.
The Elon University Poll found that 73 percent of those surveyed support extending the tax that is scheduled to elapse June 30th.
Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue has proposed extending it as part of her budget proposal to soften the blow of the budget cuts, but the Republican leadership of the legislature has voiced strong opposition to any extension.
The poll could provide ammunition to the Democrats and to those groups pushing for smaller cuts.
The poll also found that 54 percent would support raising the sales tax.
Sixty percent of those interviewed oppose eliminating the jobs of current employees to take care of the budget shortfall.
The poll, conducted April 11-14, surveyed 630 North Carolinians – not just voters – and had a margin of error plus or minus 4 percentage points.
