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Survey Shows Public Not Sure About Budget Solutions
(IRN)-A new survey shows we want to have our cake and eat it too.

When it comes to resolving the state's budget deficit, the most popular option is spending cuts, favored by 79 percent of Illinoisans surveyed by the Pew Center on the States. But director of research Barb Rosewicz says 88 percent are concerned about cuts to the things the state spends on.

"We do see that there is a great sentiment for reducing spending, but that's not the same ads reducing services, and that is a part of the public debate that I'm not sure is happening yet," she says.

The report is Facing Facts: How Residents in Five States View Fiscal Priorities for State Government. The Pew Center surveyed voters in Illinois, Arizona, California, Florida and New York, all states with severe budget stress. At least 1,000 people were surveyed in each state.

Among the Illinois findings:

- 81 percent don't want cuts in public education or human services, yet those areas represent 57 percent of the state's general fund expenses.

- 88 percent are "concerned" or "very concerned" about spending cuts.

- The taxes Illinoisans are willing to raise, so called "sin taxes" on cigarettes, gambling and alcoholic beverages, will produce only small amounts of revenue, not nearly enough to overcome the budget deficit.

- People believe the state budget could be cut 10 to 20 percent without affecting services. However, in reality, it would take a 40 percent cut to close the budget deficit.
10 09 10 by Newsroom
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