How would you rate the job John Rowland is doing as Governor of Connecticut?

1
Center for Survey Research Analysis
(CSRA)
University of Connecticut
UConn Poll on Public Opinion on State/local
taxes and budget deficit
2
The Study

• Survey of State Residents
• Representative of adults
• 707 telephone interviews
• Sampling error 3.6
• Conducted December 4th to 8th

3
The Study

• Topics
• General attitudes about state/local taxes and
  spending.
• Public opinion on how to deal with the budget
  deficit.
• Performance ratings of Governor and State
  Legislature.

4
Attitudes about taxes and spending

• People dont like taxes!
• People are much more willing to raise other
  peoples taxes then they are their own.
• People fee they get their moneys worth for the
  state and local taxes they pay.
• The state sales tax is viewed as the fairest tax.

5
Right now do you think the level of state taxes
and state spending in Connecticut is too high,
too low, or just about right?
December 4-8, 2002
6
Thinking about the services you get for the state
and local taxes you pay, do you think you get too
many services, too few services or about the
right amount of services?
7
Thinking about the state sales tax, which is 6,
the state income tax and property tax in your
town, is that too high, too low, or just about
right?
December 4-8, 2002
8
How to deal with the deficit

• People are paying attention to the problem.
• People are divided over service cuts vs. tax
  increases.
• People support taxes that dont impact them.
• Increase in the sales tax is least objectionable.
• People distinguish between what is acceptable and
  what is not acceptable means of dealing with the
  deficit.

9
How much have you read, seen or heard about
Connecticuts budget deficit? Would you say you
have read, seen or heard, a lot, some, a little,
or nothing at all?
6
20
41
32
December 4-8, 2002
10
In the current fiscal year the State of
Connecticut has a 415 million dollar budget
deficit and next year the state is projected to
have about a 1.5 billion dollar deficit. In
order to balance the state budget, do you think
services should be cut or taxes should be
increased?
16
39
13
33
December 4-8, 2002
11
Thinking about the three main taxes, sales tax,
local property tax, and income tax, which one
would you prefer to be raised in order to correct
the shortfall?
11
53
28
7
December 4-8, 2002
12
To help reduce the states budget deficit, would
you support the following
Raising the tax on millionaires by 1
Increasing corporate tax rates from 7.5 to 8.5.
Cutting funding for state construction projects
Cutting state funds that provide financial
support for municipalities other than public
education
Cutting funding for construction and repairs on
roads and highways
Cutting environmental protection programs
Laying off state employees
13
To help reduce the states budget deficit, would
you support the following
Cutting funds for CTs state universities or
colleges
Cutting state aid to municipalities for public ed.
Cutting state police and other public safety
agencies
Cutting Mental or Behavioral Health programs or
services
Cutting programs and services for the poor
Cutting programs and services for the elderly
14
The Governor has announced that 3,000 state
workers will be laid off as a way to help balance
the states budget. Do you support or oppose
this plan? Do you feel this way strongly or only
somewhat?
Somewhat oppose
15
Strongly oppose
Somewhat support
48
16
15
Strongly support
December 4-8, 2002
15
If state employees are laid off, how much
difference do you think there will be in the
quality of state services?
4
9
31
21
34
16
Performance Ratings

• Conflict, contentiousness, gridlock, and budget
  deficits takes a toll on approval ratings.

17
How would you rate the job John Rowland is doing
as Governor of Connecticut?
18
Who do you trust more to handle the budget
deficit, Governor Rowland or the Democratically
controlled state legislature?
8
31
15
46
December 4-8, 2002