FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 4, 2014) — When it comes to a federal law allowing out-of-state tax collectors to reach into the pockets of Kentucky’s online merchants, by a 55 percent to 34 percent margin, Bluegrass State voters have a resounding and simple answer: No way! That’s just one of several findings from a statewide poll released today by National Taxpayers Union and the R Street Institute.

In the survey of likely 2014 general election voters in Kentucky, strong majorities across many ideological and partisan persuasions also indicated their belief that the Internet should remain as free from regulation and taxation as possible (by an astounding 58-point margin). One of the most lopsided results concerned federal legislation in Congress called the “Marketplace Fairness Act.” When told (factually) the plan “would allow tax enforcement agents from one state to collect taxes from online retailers based in a different state,” 71 percent of respondents were opposed, with just 22 percent in favor.

“It’s no surprise that Kentucky voters are opposed to legislation that would effectively force e-retailers across the state to serve as tax collectors for other jurisdictions, like New York and California,” said Andrew Moylan, executive director of the R Street Institute. “Moreover, our polling finds that the belief that the Internet should exist to benefit Kentuckians, not other states’ bottom lines, is not a partisan issue.”

“Our poll is designed to explore the specific – and sophisticated – opinions of Kentucky voters on this critical issue,” said Pete Sepp, president of National Taxpayers Union. “Kentucky politicians of all persuasions and philosophies should take note of the results, and understand that supporting proposals like the Marketplace Fairness Act puts them out of step with the majority of their constituents; that’s why Sens. McConnell and Paul should be applauded for standing with Kentucky voters on this critical issue.”

A statewide survey of 400 likely voters in Kentucky was conducted June 2-3, 2014 by live telephone interviewing. Thirty percent of the interviews were conducted using a cell phone sample. The margin of error is ±4.9% at the 95% confidence level.

For the full list of NTU-R Street state-level polls on Internet sales tax laws, visit: rstreet.org/donttax.

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