Memo: Voters Oppose State Level Budget Cuts and Want Public Sector Employees Protected

By Ethan Winter Senior Analyst, Data for Progress and Isa Alomran Intern, Data for Progress

Introduction

As part of a December survey, Data for Progress polled 1,136 likely voters nationally to measure attitudes towards the following: first, state and local government shortfalls, second, proposed solutions to addressing these budgetary challenges, and, last, the role of labor unions within this process.

We find that likely voters are extremely concerned about the prospect of additional cuts to the services state and local governments provide. Likely voters also back a host of proposals to raise revenue, such as increasing taxes paid by millionaires and billionaires, closing corporate loopholes, and legalizing marijuana. Lastly, likely voters envision labor groups playing a central role in any budget negotiations and want the safety of workers prioritized. 

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