Latino Voters Sound the Alarm on Economy and Taxes

 Today, The LIBRE Initiative is releasing new findings from a recent Public Opinion Strategy survey commissioned by Americans for Prosperity that provide a deeper look at the concerns Hispanic voters have on the economy, taxes, government spending, and the cost of living, A number of key tax policies, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), are set to expire at the end of 2025, creating what’s known as the “Fiscal Cliff.” If Congress doesn’t act, this could lead to significant tax increases for millions of Americans who are already feeling the pressure from an unfordable economy.

The survey, which is being released in advance of the looming expiration, shows overwhelming consensus among Latino voters that now – in the midst of a generational cost-of-living crisis – is not the time to raise taxes. Furthermore, Latinos across party lines would view the expiration of the TCJA as a tax hike that would hurt middle-class families, consumers, small businesses, and the economy.

Jose Mallea, CEO of The LIBRE Initiative, released the following statement:

“Latino families are feeling the squeeze from an unaffordable economy driven by government overspending. This poll confirms what we’ve been hearing in communities across the country: Americans want leaders to focus on pro-growth policies, protect hard-earned incomes, and prevent tax hikes that would make life even more expensive. Congress must act before it’s too late.”

Key findings from the poll:

• 80% (four in five) of Latino voters say their taxes are too high.
• 80% (four in five) of Latino voters say it is a bad time to increase taxes.
• A majority of Latino voters (54%) believe growing the economy is the most effective way to cut the deficit.
  • 40% believe cutting government spending is the most effective way to cut the deficit.
• 86% of Latino voters overwhelmingly see a tax cut as keeping more of their own money.
• 90% of Latino voters want to keep the current tax rates, regardless of question wording.
• Independents are likely to say that the government wastes money and that taxes are too high. When asked: “Please write a word or short phrase that comes to mind when you think about taxes.”
  • 14%: waste money/overspend
  • 14% High/too high
  • 6% Robbery/theft
  • 5% Excessive
  • 5% Rich don’t pay
  • 5% Too Much

Dive in:

• Across party lines, voters overwhelmingly see Congress doing nothing as a tax increase.
• Hispanics believe a tax increase would hurt middle-class families, American consumers, small businesses, and the economy.
• Hispanics (44%) are most likely to say cutting taxes for families did the most to grow the economy.
• On the combined choice, voters overwhelmingly (65%) believe cutting taxes for American families did the most to grow the economy. Cutting taxes for small businesses is in a distant second (39%).
• On the informed choice, at least 90% of voters remain opposed to a tax increase.
• Independents are likely to say that the government wastes money and that taxes are too high. When asked: “Please write a word or short phrase that comes to mind when you think about taxes.”
  • 14%: waste money/overspend
  • 14% High/too high
  • 6% Robbery/theft
  • 5% Excessive
  • 5% Rich don’t pay
  • 5% Too Much

Zoom Out:

• 75% of Hispanic voters think the country is off on the wrong track.
  • This sentiment is consistent across party lines.
• Nearly two-thirds (64%) of voters say the economy is getting worse.
  • Only 12% believe it is improving.
• 54% of Hispanic voters are most concerned with inflation, economy, and jobs
  • 38% with inflation and 16% with the economy and jobs.

View the entire poll findings here.