The Most Popular Areas of Government are Shedding the Most Workers
By Drew DeSilver Popularity is no protection against budget cuts: The parts of government that Americans like the most — state, cities and counties, and the U.S. Postal Service — are also the ones shedding workers the fastest. The most recent nonfarm payroll figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the public sector continues to be [...]
The most popular areas of government are shedding the most workers
Popularity is no protection against budget cuts: The parts of government that Americans like the most — state, cities and counties, and the U.S. Postal Service — are also the ones shedding workers the fastest. The most recent nonfarm payroll figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the public sector continues to be a drag on [...]
Widening Gap in Views of Federal, State and Local Governments
Favorability ratings for different levels of government have diverged over the past decade as public views of the federal government have fallen to new lows.
N.Y., Washington State Consider Bucking Trend on Abortion
The two states consider measures that run counter to a recent, nationwide trend toward imposing more restrictions on abortion.
Growing Gap in Favorable Views of Federal, State Governments
The gap between favorable ratings of the federal government and state and local governments is wider than ever. Just a third of Americans have a favorable opinion of the federal government, the lowest positive rating in 15 years.
Who’s Winning the Fight Over Public-Employee Unions?
In its Topic A feature, the Washington Post asked several experts — among them the Pew Research Center’s Director of Survey Research Scott Keeter — who’s winning and who’s losing in the fight over public-employee unions.
Wisconsin Unions Favored Over Walker in Showdown
By a 42%-31% margin, the public sides with public employee unions in their dispute with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. At the federal level, President Obama and GOP leaders would share blame for a government shutdown.
Rethinking Budget Cutting
Views about federal spending are beginning to change. Americans no longer call for more spending on many popular programs. Still, support for cutting spending remains limited, though in a few cases it has risen noticeably. The public remains reluctant either to cut spending — or to raise taxes – to balance state budgets.
Public Rejects Variety of Options for Fixing State Budgets
Most Americans say states should solve their own budget problems — but most also oppose cuts in education, public safety and other state programs.
Public Rejects Variety Of Options For Fixing State Budgets
Most Americans see the deteriorating budget situations in many states as a problem that the states themselves – rather than the federal government – should solve.
