The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today announced the results of a statewide public opinion survey of voter sentiment on taxes, spending and how to balance the state budget. The statewide survey was conducted earlier this month for the Michigan Chamber by Marketing Resource Group, Inc., Lansing.

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"We are greatly encouraged by the results of the survey and hope the Legislature and Administration will find this information helpful," said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Jim Barrett. "Seventy-seven percent of respondents said the state should cut spending to balance the budget and only seven percent of the respondents said the overall level of taxes in Michigan is too low."

"The responses to the first two questions clearly show that a solid majority (87 percent) of Michigan residents believe the current level of state and local taxes is about right or too high and that state government should cut spending to deal with the budget deficit," added Barrett.

The Chamber survey also asked voters if they would be more or less likely to vote for a state legislator if they knew that he or she voted to raise taxes to balance the state budget. By a two-to-one ratio, respondents said they would be less likely to vote for a legislator who raised taxes to balance the state budget.

"The response to this question shows that lawmakers would be at odds with state voters and perhaps vulnerable, especially among Republicans, if they raise taxes to balance the state budget," said Tom Shields, President of Marketing Resource Group (MRG).

MRG used the following methodology to conduct the survey. A sample of 600 likely voters was drawn in the State of Michigan and stratified by city and township within county, based upon average voter turnout in statewide general elections. Given the sample size of 600 and the method of random selection, the statistical margin of error can be reliably set at 4.1 percent within a 95 percent degree of confidence. The survey, conducted from February 8 through February 12, 2003, consisted of 600 15-minute telephone interviews. The questions and aggregate results are following.

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business organization that represents approximately 6,500 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce. The Michigan Chamber was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan's job providers in the legislative, political and legal process.

  MRG Statewide Survey, February 2003
  Michigan Chamber of Commerce

  QUESTIONS & AGGREGATE RESULTS

  A.    As you know, for a variety of reasons, the state is faced with
  budget deficits.  Do you think the state should (ROTATE: cut spending or
  raise taxes) to balance the state budget?

        Cut spending              77%
        Raise Taxes               10%
        Neither (volunteered)      7%
        Don't know (volunteered)   7%
        Refused (volunteered)      1%

  B.    Thinking about state, local and public school taxes in Michigan, do
  you think the overall level of taxes paid by individuals and business is
  too high, too low, or just about right?

        Too High                  34%
        Too Low                    7%
        About Right               53%
        Don't know (volunteered)   6%
        Refused (volunteered)      *

  C.    Would you be more or less likely to vote for a legislator if you
  knew that he or she voted to raise taxes to balance the state budget?  (IF
  MORE OR LESS LIKELY, ASK: Would that be much (more/less) likely or just
  somewhat (more/less) likely?)

        Much more likely           5%
        Somewhat more likely      15%
        Makes no difference       29%
        Somewhat less likely      20%
        Much less likely          21%
        Refused                    2%
        Don't know                 8%

        TOTAL MORE LIKELY         20%
        TOTAL LESS LIKELY         41%

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SOURCE: Michigan Chamber of Commerce

CONTACT: Rich Studley or Tricia Kinley of Michigan Chamber of Commerce,
+1-517-371-2100

Web site: http://www.michamber.com/