Findings from four focus groups conducted in Nebraska and California

WASHINGTON – American Action Network’s Middle-Class Growth Initiative (MCGI) today released results from four focus groups analyzing Independents and Republicans’ views on tax reform. Participants across four focus groups demonstrated strong support for reforming America’s outdated tax code with various proposals found in the House Republican tax blueprint. Results also show the least convincing arguments against tax reform.

MCGI partnered with American Viewpoint to administer a total of four focus groups in Omaha, Nebraska, and Orange County, California. The focus groups were conducted on August 9, 2017, in Omaha and on August 10, 2017, in Orange County. These results come on the heels of AAN’s national survey finding bipartisan support for a new tax system that is simple, fair and with lower rates. The poll found an overwhelming 70 percent of Democrats want House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and others in their Party to work with Republicans to pass tax reform.

“Whether in California or Nebraska, Americans strongly recognize our outdated and uncompetitive tax code has left middle-class families behind. These results send a loud warning that those looking to stand in the way of tax reform will pay a significant price. Congress must capitalize on this opportunity to deliver meaningful tax reform that will create more jobs, cut taxes for working families and empower job creators to compete with countries like China,” said AAN Executive Director Corry Bliss. “To succeed and enable growth for all, every member of Congress must prioritize reform that lowers rates, eliminates loopholes and puts American workers and job creators first.”

Key findings include:

• Strong support for simplifying the tax code: Across all four focus groups, participants recognized America’s tax code is outdated and complicated, and supported simplifying the tax system saying major changes are needed.
• Illustrate how reform equals more jobs and economic growth:Supporters of tax reform need to know how reform would grow the economy and empower job creation.
• The most popular messages on tax reform: more money in the pockets of the American people, bringing back the middle class, and paying your fair share.
• Least convincing message against tax reform: Any change to the tax system is just a cut for the rich and will not help relieve the tax burden on the middle class.
• Potential tax changes ranked as very important: promoting more jobs and economic growth at home, making American businesses stronger and more competitive with foreign companies, and making the tax code simpler by eliminating loopholes.
• Respondents recognized that Democrats will play on emotional fear mongering, yet all groups remained strongly in favor of tax reform.

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