LOS ANGELES. (KTLA)  — A new poll shows slightly more than half of likely voters support a sales tax increase in Los Angeles.

According to the latest USC Price-LA Times Poll, 53 percent of surveyed voters said they would cast their ballots in support of Measure A, a new bill proposing to boost the city’s sales tax rate by half a cent to 9. 5 percent.

Those who support  Measure A insist that the tax hike is necessary to pay for the city’s expenses.

But opponents counter, voters are being asked to pay for bad City Hall spending decisions.

The measure will be put to a vote on March 5.  If approved, LA’s sales tax  would increase on July 1, 2013, making it one of the highest in California.