General Business

45% Favor 10% Pay Cut For All State Employees, 41% Oppose

Most Americans still say their home states are having major budget problems, and a plurality now favors a 10% pay cut for all state employees to help reduce government spending.

Sixty-eight percent (68%) of American Adults say their state is having a budget crisis, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty percent (20%) report no budget crisis in their state, while 12% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).   Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 6-7, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

49% Favor Public Employee Unions, 46% Oppose

This week’s unsuccessful effort to recall Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is expected to prompt more states to cut the benefits of public employee unions in an effort to reduce sizable budget deficits. Americans still have mixed feelings about those unions but would much rather reduce their benefits than pay more taxes to fund them.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey, taken since Tuesday’s recall vote, finds that 49% of American Adults at least somewhat favor unions for public employees, including 23% who Strongly Favor them. Nearly as many (46%) oppose those unions, with 30% who Strongly Oppose them. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 6-7, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

51% View Facebook Unfavorably; 48% Question IPO Process

The uproar over Facebook’s first public stock offering has soured perceptions of the social networking service, perhaps in part because of suspicions about the fairness of the stock selling process itself.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of American Adults share at least a somewhat favorable view of Facebook, while 51% regard it at least somewhat unfavorably. The latter figure is up seven points from 44% in March. The new findings include just eight percent (8%) with a Very Favorable opinion of the social media service and 17% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 31-June 1, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

57% Think Big Banks Have Too Much Influence Over Fed

Most voters believe that big banks have too much influence over the Federal Reserve and think those who can benefit from its actions should be barred from serving on the Federal Reserve Board.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely U.S. Voters believe big banks and other major financial institutions have too much insider influence over the actions of the Federal Reserve. Only 16% disagree, with 27% more who are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 24-25, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

38% View Federal Reserve Favorably, 49% Do Not

Reviews for Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and the Fed itself have improved from late last year, but both remain more disliked than liked.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 36% view Bernanke at least somewhat favorably, while 41% view him unfavorably. These findings include seven percent (7%) who share a Very Favorable opinion of the Fed chairman and 18% with a Very Unfavorable one. Twenty-two percent (22%) of voters don’t offer any opinion of Bernanke. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 24-25, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Radio Updates: Most Voters Favor Letting States Overrule FDA

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

Radio Update: Housing Market Collapse Highlights Changes in U.S. Economy

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

Radio Update: There's a Gender Gap on Questions of Equal Pay for Equal Work

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

Radio Update: Americans Hate Cozy Relationship Between Bankers and Government

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

Radio Update: Most Skeptical About Fed's Ability to Control Inflation

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

New High: 40% Owe Less Money Than They Did A Year Ago

More Americans than ever now say they're less in debt than they were this time last year, but a plurality still expects higher interest rates in the near future.

Forty percent (40%) of adults now say they owe less money than they did a year ago, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  That's up seven points from last month and is the highest finding since tracking on the question began in April 2009. 

Twenty-four percent (24%) still say they owe more money than a year ago, and one-in-three (32%) owe about as much as they did this time last year. These numbers are generally in line with findings for the past few years. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on May 11-12, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

88% Say They're Paying More for Groceries Than A Year Ago

Americans still say overwhelmingly that they are paying more for groceries than they were year ago which helps explain why a majority continues to lack confidence in the Federal Reserve Board’s ability to keep inflation down. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 88% of American Adults report paying more for groceries compared to a year ago, a finding that has ranged from 75% to 93% since April 2009. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on May 11-12, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Radio Update: JP Morgan Loses Big, Americans Want The Right People to Pay

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

36% Support More Government Regulation of Financial Industry

Wall Street banks are once again drawing national criticism, this time due to JPMorgan Chase’s $2 billion loss from high-risk trades.  Yet while Americans believe the federal government is doing a poor job keeping an eye on the banking industry, most still aren’t convinced more regulations are needed.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that just 14% rate federal government oversight of the banking industry as good or excellent. Fifty-three percent (53%) say the government is doing a poor job monitoring banks. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 14, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

50% Are Confident In Stability of Banking System

Half of Americans are now confident in the stability of the U.S. banking system, but one-in-three are still concerned they’ll lose their money due to bank failure.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today, but that includes just 13% who are Very Confident.  Forty-seven percent (47%) lack confidence in the banking system, with 15% who are Not At All Confident.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on May 11-12, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Radio Update: Americans Worried About Impact of Europe's Problems on US Economy

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

84% Don't Think The United States Should Bailout Europe

While the European economy remains troubled, most Americans feel the United States should not intervene, but they do believe poor economic conditions overseas directly affects the U.S. economy. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 84% of American Adults do not think the United States should provide funding to help bailout France and other European countries. Only eight percent (8%) think the United States should provide bailout funding to Europe.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on May 7-8, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Radio Update: Following Jobs Report, Consumer Confidence Down but Not Out

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

Radio Update: Long-Term Optimism About Economy Hits New Low

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

61% Believe Europe Needs to Cut Government Spending to Save Economy

Newly elected leaders in France and Greece have signaled that austerity efforts in their countries may be coming to an end, but as far as Americans are concerned, that’s a move in the wrong direction. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of American Adults believe cuts in government spending would do more to improve the economic and financial situation in France and Greece than increases in that spending. Just 20% think more government spending is the better way to go. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Americans nationwide was conducted on May 7-8, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.