Two-thirds of Michigan voters support Gov. Rick Snyder’s
decision to appoint an Emergency Financial Manager for the troubled city of
Detroit, including 53 percent who said they strongly support the appointment,
according to a new statewide poll.
The survey, conducted by Marketing Resource Group (MRG)
and Inside Michigan Politics (IMP), found that the strongest support was in the
Detroit metro area, where a total of 71 percent supported the EFM and only 23
percent opposed.
Support was decidedly different in the Detroit suburbs
than it was in the city. In Oakland County, 78 percent supported the EFM and in
suburban Wayne County 74 percent supported it, as compared to the city where 41
percent of Detroit residents supported the appointment while 59 percent are
opposed.

Surprisingly, Macomb County’s support for the move, at 66 percent, was no higher than the statewide average.
 
“The decision to appoint an EFM for the city of Detroit could be a political
boon for Gov. Snyder,” said Tom Shields, MRG president. “The voters in the
suburbs of Detroit overwhelmingly support his efforts to fix the city. In 2010,
Snyder received just over five percent of the vote in the City of Detroit. With
41 percent of city residents supporting the appointment of an EFM, if Kevyn Orr
can produce some positive results prior to the next election, it could
translate into votes in a city where Republican voters have almost become
extinct.”

The actual wording and results of the question is below.

Last week, Governor Snyder appointed an Emergency Financial Manager to try to
balance Detroit’s books and bring the city out of a financial crisis. Emergency
Managers have sweeping powers to overrule the mayor and city council, as well
as unilaterally amend or cancel city employee union contracts. Detroit unions
and city elected officials fear the State will privatize city public services,
eliminate public sector jobs and usurp local authority. State officials say
that an Emergency Manager is required because the city has implemented few
reforms and is reluctant to take necessary steps to bring its finances under
control. Do you support or oppose an Emergency Financial Manager for the city
of Detroit? (IF FAVOR/OPPOSE ASK: Do you strongly support/oppose it or just
somewhat support/oppose it?)

Strongly support: 53%
Somewhat support: 14%
Neither support nor oppose (Volunteered): 3%
Somewhat oppose: 7%
Strongly oppose: 19%
Don’t know (Volunteered): 4%
Refused (Volunteered): 0%
TOTAL SUPPORT: 67%
TOTAL OPPOSE: 26%

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