Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Sacramento's Stalemate Reflect's Population's Ideological Divide.

A new poll asks Californians how they would solve the state’s budget crisis. The results suggests the impasse in Sacramento is more than just a political stalemate. KPBS reporter Alison St John has

Sacramento's Stalemate Reflect's Population's Ideological Divide.

A new poll asks Californians how they would solve the state’s budget crisis. The results  suggests the impasse in Sacramento is more than just a political stalemate. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

The statewide opinion poll shows 80% of Californians recognize the state’s budget deficit is a very serious problem.

Advertisement

Erik Bruvold is with the Institute for Policy Research which commissioned the poll. He says the most interesting finding is that the more people know about the deficit, the more divided they are along partisan lines. He says the political stalemate in Sacramento is an accurate reflection of the deep divisions in the state.

BRUVOLD : this isn’t a bunch of people in Sacramento playing games, or divorced from the feelings of their constituents, indeed what our poll suggests is that they reflect what their constituents feel.

Not surprisingly, the poll shows  fewer than 50% support cuts to education, social services or prisons, though republicans are more willing to cut education.

On average 30% of Californians are open to higher sales taxes, though 70% of Democrats are in favor of raising taxes on the wealthy.

The poll was conducted by Competitive Edge Research.

Advertisement

Alison St John, KPBS news.