As Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana and other states struggle to reduce untenable budget deficits, a new USA Today/Gallup finds that not one of three major fiscal strategies available to state lawmakers is very popular. The lease objectionable to Americans “is reducing or eliminating certain state programs” with about equal numbers in favor as opposed.
A slight majority 53% opposes reducing pay and benefits to state workers and a larger majority 71% opposes raising taxes.
About two-thirds of Americans 64% perceive their own state is facing a budget crisis based on what they have read or heard—31% remain unsure and 5% state say their state is not.
Additionally the new poll finds Americans opposed to their own state adopting a deficit reduction proposal like the one that has triggered a legislative stand-off in Wisconsin, that would eliminate some of the collective bargaining rights of most public unions—including Teachers Unions. 1/3 of Americans would favor such a bill in their own state while 61% would oppose it.
Related: Gallup: Number of Solidly Democratic States Cut in Half from 2008–2010
Democrat Urges Unions to “get a little bloody when necessary” –The Hill
Indiana State Senate Passes Law to Curb Teachers Unions –Reuters