In case you missed it, a new poll shows that Gov. Snyder’s disapproval ratings have skyrocketed, but Michigan voters’ overall view of the governor is not as bad you might think.
A survey of Michigan voters shows that Snyder’s personal and job approval ratings have eroded since he announced plans for dealing with Michigan’s massive budget deficit problem. However, more voters still approve of the job he is doing as governor than disapprove.
By a narrow 3 percentage-point margin, a
plurality of voters also approve of his budget plans.
“The honeymoon is over for Governor Snyder,” said Marketing Resource Group
President Tom Shields. “While his support remains steady, negatives have
grown considerably as he rolls out plans to ‘reinvent Michigan.’”
The MRG poll, conducted approximately one month after the governor announced his
controversial budget proposal, shows that 42 percent approve of the job Snyder is
doing and 38 percent disapprove. The poll also showed 44 percent of likely voters approve of his plan to balance the state budget, while 41 percent disapprove.
plurality of voters also approve of his budget plans.
“The honeymoon is over for Governor Snyder,” said Marketing Resource Group
President Tom Shields. “While his support remains steady, negatives have
grown considerably as he rolls out plans to ‘reinvent Michigan.’”
The MRG poll, conducted approximately one month after the governor announced his
controversial budget proposal, shows that 42 percent approve of the job Snyder is
doing and 38 percent disapprove. The poll also showed 44 percent of likely voters approve of his plan to balance the state budget, while 41 percent disapprove.
In mid-January, after the governor’s State of the State address, 43 percent of voters approved of the job he was doing and only 7 percent disapproved.
As a comparison, John Engler, who was way ahead of the curve in proposing unpopular budget cuts, had a 35 percent approval rating in 1991 after his first three months as governor, with 44 percent disapproving.
The MRG survey also found that jobs is the primary issue for Michigan voters, blowing away the rest of the competition. Their poll found that 79 percent of Michigan voters say that unemployment, jobs, and the economy remain their top concerns. Taxes, budget issues and education funding lagged far behind, in the 11 to 13 percent range.
As a comparison, John Engler, who was way ahead of the curve in proposing unpopular budget cuts, had a 35 percent approval rating in 1991 after his first three months as governor, with 44 percent disapproving.
The MRG survey also found that jobs is the primary issue for Michigan voters, blowing away the rest of the competition. Their poll found that 79 percent of Michigan voters say that unemployment, jobs, and the economy remain their top concerns. Taxes, budget issues and education funding lagged far behind, in the 11 to 13 percent range.
When asked which political party they would prefer to be in control of state government, voters chose Republicans by a 9-point margin.
Voters also believe that Republicans do a better job handling economic and fiscal issues, such as reducing unemployment, improving the state’s business climate, attracting new jobs and industries, and setting the right priorities for the state budget.
Democrats fare better among voters on social issues such as improving the quality of education, providing assistance to senior citizens, providing access to affordable healthcare, and protecting the environment and natural resources.
