Poll calls for less spending rather than tax increase

Portland Press Herald, March 4, 2008

(excerpt) A poll released Monday found that a large majority of Maine adults favor cutting spending in order to close the state's budget gap -- and an even bigger majority of those who responded oppose raising taxes.

The results sparked immediate outcry from groups lobbying against major cuts to education and social service programs as lawmakers try to close a budget hole expected to exceed $200 million over two years.

The poll's findings also ignited a partisan squabble in Augusta, with the top House Republican arguing for large spending cuts and the top Senate Democrat saying the poll ignored the effect that such cuts would have on Maine communities.

The telephone survey, conducted by Market Decisions, a Portland-based polling firm, asked respondents for their opinions on various broad approaches to closing the budget gap. Four hundred people were surveyed from Jan. 28 to Feb. 25, and the poll had a 4.9 percent margin of error.

Forty-five percent of those surveyed said they strongly support spending cuts, while another 26 percent said they are somewhat supportive of that approach.