A new poll released today shows strong support for public services in Iowa and opposition to tax cuts and privatization, demonstrating a rejection of the extreme conservative agenda being promoted by Governor Reynolds and Republicans in the state legislature.
The poll, conducted by Public Policy Polling last week, found the following:
58 percent of respondents said they’d prefer their tax dollars go to funding public services such as K-12 education, infrastructure, and clean water. And nearly as many (57 percent) do not believe corporations and the wealthiest Iowans pay their fair share in taxes.
Iowans are opposed to privatizing public services, with 62 percent against using public tax dollars for non-public schools or for homeschooling, and 63 percent in favor of keeping the Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) as a pension with guaranteed benefits, as opposed to converting it to a private 401k style retirement system with investments in the stock market.
Iowans disagree with changes made to the rights of public workers during last year’s legislative session. 62 percent believe the legislature should reinstate a requirement that local and state government negotiate with public employees regarding their workplace safety and benefits.
80 percent of Iowans support the state minimum wage being raised to at least $9 per hour, with 52 percent in support of at least $12 per hour, and a majority of those who voted for Trump in 2016 supporting an increase in the minimum wage.
And more Iowans disapprove than approve of the job being done by President Trump (51 percent disapprove, 44 percent approve), Governor Reynolds (47 percent disapprove, 39 percent approve), and the Iowa Legislature (48 percent disapprove, 26 percent approve).
The survey of 664 Iowa voters was conducted by Public Policy Polling on January 3 and 4, and included a sample of 35 percent Republicans, 33 percent Independents, and 32 percent Democrats. View the document below for the full survey results including crosstabs.
