Media
Voters: Limit Government Spending!
In a recent poll, Susquehanna Polling and Research asked 700 registered Pennsylvania voters if they would support limiting the growth of state government spending—legislation similar to the Taxpayer Protection Act.
- Almost two-thirds of Pennsylvania voters support limiting the growth of state government (65 percent), with fewer than one-quarter opposed.
- Voters in all parties support spending limits: Democrats support spending limits by a 55 to 30 margin. More than 70 percent of Republicans and Independents support spending limits.
- Voters in all regions of the state support spending limits, from 58 percent in Philadelphia to a high of 71 percent in the Northeast/Lehigh Valley.
- Support is consistent over time—on similar questions asked on the Susquehanna statewide spring poll in 2005, 2008 and 2010, between 66 and 70 percent of voters indicated support of spending limits.
|
Party |
||||
|
|
Overall |
Republican |
Democrat |
Independent |
|
Total Approve |
65% |
77 |
55 |
72 |
|
Total Oppose |
21% |
12 |
30 |
12 |
|
Undecided |
14% |
12 |
15 |
15 |
| Region | ||||||||
| NW | SW | T/Central | NE | S Central | SE | Allegheny | Philly | |
| Total Approve | 60% | 68 | 65 | 71 | 67 | 62 | 70 | 58 |
| Total Oppose | 25% | 13 | 17 | 17 | 22 | 27 | 18 | 25 |
| Undecided | 14% | 17 | 19 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 17 |
| Historic Support | ||||
| 2012 | 2010 | 2008 | 2005 | |
| Total Approve | 65% | 66 | 70 | 69 |
| Total Oppose | 21% | 20 | 18 | 18 |
| Undecided | 14% | 13 | 12 | 12 |
The poll also asked voters two other questions commissioned by the Commonwealth Foundation.
- 56 percent of voters supported (compared to 32 percent opposed) slowing the growth of welfare spending, even if it meant less funding for some programs.
- 50 percent of voters supported (34 percent opposed) prohibiting the government collection of union dues, similar to reforms enacted in Wisconsin.
For full question wording, methodology, and toplines, click here.