OCR Text |
Show The Salt Lake Tribune, March 14, 1982 Gallup Poll A New Federalism OO000D SC0CG Gains Support By George Gallup PRINCETON N J. Although most Americans endorse the principles underlying President Reag&ns New Federalism program, many are concerned about certain possible consequences. The latest Gallup survey finds a 54 percent those who are majority of the informed public familiar with the programs provisions saying the New Federalism is a good idea, while 39 percent say it is a poor idea, and 7 percent ' I are uncommitted. At the same time, however, 43 percent of the informed public believe the federal government is more capable than the states of taking care of the needs of poor people, while 24 percent think both federal and state governments would perform about equally well and only 28 percent feel the states could better carry out this responsibility. A 64 percent majority also feels that under the New Federalism their combined state and federal taxes will increase, compared to 23 percent who think taxes will remain about the same and 9 percent who foresee a tax decrease. Despite these specific concerns, the publics overall favorable appraisal of the New Federalism tends to reflect the basic findings of a Gallup survey conducted last fall in which the public leaned strongly - that to the principles behind the program individual states are closer than the federal government to the people and therefore better able to administer to their needs. Under President Reagans New Federalism proposals, which, if enacted, would begin Oct. 1, 1933, there would be a gradual shift of responsibility to the states for many of the programs now funded and run by the federal government. These questions were asked in the latest Gallup survey : Have you heard or read about the Reagan administrations New Federalism proposal? Those who answered affirmatively (49 percent of the total) were then asked to describe the New Federalism. The 42 percent who were both aware of and could describe the program were considered to be the informed group and their responses are reported below. Here is the next question asked: Under the New Federalism program, many of the present responsibilities of the federal government would be turned over to the individual states and local communities. To begin with, the federal government would provide the necessary money to pay for these social programs, but gradually the states would take over the payments for their own programs by local taxation. Does this New Federalism sound like a good idea or a poor idea to you? Here are the national results and the responses of key population groups, showing the political flavor of public opinion and the less favorable reaction to the plan on the part of center-cit- y residents, Easterners and those with family incomes of less than $15,000 per year: sctbdsmIdod Welcome springtime with Shop Monday-Frlda- y the prettiest sewing of the year - sorry, no phone or mall 10-Saturday io-6-. Closed Sunday. 9, k, V . Preppy shirtings 2.09 NEW FEDERALISM PROGRAM (Based on informed group) values to 3.49 yd. pet NATIONAL pet. Republicans Democrats Independents Family income: .$15,000 and more .Less than $15,000 East Midwest South West Center cities Suburbs areas These questions were also asked: Under the New Federalism program, do you feel the states will take care of the needs of the poor and needy as well as the federal government, better than the federal government, or not as well as the federal government? Under the New Federalism program, do you think the total taxes paid by your family that is, state and federal combined will go up, go down, or stay about the same? As might be expected, those most concerned about these possible drawbacks are those whose overall appraisal is negative: Democrats, members of down-scal- e c groups and residents of tie nations center cities. ' Following are the national results: o socio-economi- ; TAKE CARE OF NEEDS OF POOR ( Based on informed group) Federal better States better States and federal equal No opinion I STATE AND FEDERAL TAXES (Based on informed group) Will go up Will stay the same Will go down No opinion The results reported today are based on interviews with 1,547 adults, 18 and older, of whom 726 comprise the informed group, interviewed in localities more than 300 scvientifically-selecte- d across the nation during the period Feb. For results based on this group, one can say with 95 percent confidence that the error attributable to sampling and other random effects could be five percentage points in either direction. 5-- f. Nl. M i I jfe. I mJ. aA. aA |