September 2007 State Budget Survey

Question 1. The state government’s budget year is ending, and there is a projected $1.75 billion shortfall of state money to cover state spending. As the governor and the state Legislature work to balance the budget, which would you prefer they use more of — (ROTATE ITEMS) reductions in spending, or increases in taxes?
(IF RESPONDENT ATTEMPTS TO CHOOSE OTHER OPTION, SAY:) The state constitution does require state lawmakers to balance the budget each year, so imagine for a moment that reductions in spending and increases in taxes and fees are the only two options. Which would you prefer to see more of — (ROTATE ITEMS) reductions in spending, or increases in taxes?

Reductions in spending 71%

Increase in taxes 22%

DK/Refused 7%

Question 2. If you were given ONLY TWO CHOICES in order to end the entire budget shortfall, which would you prefer — (ROTATE ITEMS) that ALL of the budget gap be closed with increases in taxes, or that ALL of the budget gap be closed with reductions in spending?

Closed with tax increase 22%

Closed with spending reductions 65%

DK/Refused 13%

Question 3. Michigan’s economy has been much weaker than the national economy for several years now. Setting aside changes in the global economy and concentrating on what THE STATE has done right or wrong, which of the following items do you think is MOST to blame for the state’s economic weakness: (RANDOMIZE ITEMS)

State government has not spent enough money on attracting business investment 20%

State taxes and spending are too high 28%

The state’s unions have discouraged business investment 16%

The state’s businesses have failed to invest in workers 20%

DK/Refused 16%