KAET-ASU Poll

Contact Dr. Bruce Merrill (480) 965-7051
Can be used after 7 p.m., Friday, January 31, 2003

ARIZONANS FAVOR CUTTING PROGRAMS AND SPENDING OR SELLING AND LEASING STATE ASSETS RATHER THAN RAISING TAXES TO BALANCE STATE BUDGET

A MAJORITY OF ARIZONANS DOUBT BUDGET WILL BE RESOLVED ON NON-PARTISAN BASIS

ARIZONANS WOULD HAVE MORE CONFIDENCE IN NAPOLITANO RATHER THAN LEGISLATURE IF BUDGET PROCESS IS DEADLOCKED

A new statewide poll of registered voters conducted by KAET-TV/Channel 8 and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University found that 33% of Arizonans favor cutting government programs and spending to balance the state budget while 32% favor selling and leasing back state assets and 20% feel state taxes should be raised. Fifteen percent (15%) of those interviewed had no opinion.

Among those with an opinion, Republicans (50%) and self-identified conservatives (49%) were more likely to favor a cut in spending while Democrats (41%) and self-identified liberals (48%) preferred selling and leasing back state assets. Republicans (18%) and conservatives (18%) were less likely than Democrats (29%) and liberals (33%) to prefer balancing the budget by raising taxes.

Most Arizonans (51%) don't believe that the governor and the state legislature will keep their promise to solve the budget deficit and other issues in a non-partisan manner. Thirty-one percent (31%) did believe the non-partisan pledge, and 18% had no opinion. Among those with an opinion, independents (72%) and Republicans (64%) were more pessimistic than Democrats (55%). Women (45%) were more likely than men (32%), however, to be optimistic that the non-partisan pledge will be kept.

If the governor and the state legislature cannot agree on how to balance the budget, Arizonans would have more confidence in a budget plan submitted by Governor Janet Napolitano (45%) than one submitted by the State Legislature (35%). One in five Arizonans (20%) had no opinion. Among those with an opinion, Democrats (76%) and liberals (61%) were more confident in a Napolitano budget plan. Republicans (70%) and conservatives (65%) had more confidence in a budget plan submitted by the State Legislature.

The statewide poll of 454 registered voters conducted Jan. 23 - 26, 2003, has a sampling error of plus or minus 4.3%. Fifty percent (50%) of those interviewed were female, 50% male. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of the interviews were conducted in Maricopa County, 18% in Pima County, and 24% in the less populated counties. The sample was 42% Republican, 38% Democrat, and 20% independent or other.

Q1. Arizona is facing a serious budget deficit and a number of actions will have to be taken to balance the budget. Which of the following do you think should be done FIRST to balance the budget?

Q2. Both Democrat Governor Napolitano and the Republican controlled legislature have pledged to solve the budget deficit and other issues in a non-partisan manner. Do you think they will:

Q3. If Democrat Governor Napolitano and the Republican controlled legislature cannot agree on how to balance the budget, would you tend to have more confidence in a plan put forth by

KAET-TV is a part of Arizona State University