Zogby/CBIA poll results:
Connecticut’s people, businesses most concerned about taxes, spending, jobs and economy

Want to improve current health care system; reject state takeover

(Dec. 12, 2007) People and businesses in Connecticut agree that the most important issues facing the state are taxes and spending, economic growth and job creation, education, and health care. That’s according to a new poll of Connecticut residents conducted for CBIA by the polling firm Zogby International.

Twice as many people responding to the poll believe business taxes are too high rather than too low in Connecticut. And two-thirds of respondents said the tax and spending levels of the current state budget are too high.

“It's clear that these issues are of great importance to everyone in Connecticut — its residents as well as the business community," said John Rathgeber, CBIA president and CEO. “Our elected leaders must listen to what the people of Connecticut are saying and act in a fiscally responsible way that encourages economic growth and job creation, and improves education opportunities for our students.”

Health care
The vast majority (83%) of Connecticut residents are satisfied with their health care and most don't believe a taxpayer-funded state government-run health care system would make it better.

Sixty-five percent of respondents said they oppose raising state taxes to pay for a new, multibillion-dollar, state-government-run health care system. Nearly three-quarters (74%) said the best way to reform the current system is to control health care costs and make private insurance more affordable.

High health care costs are making it difficult for companies to remain competitive in Connecticut. Lawmakers could respond to people’s concerns by improving the current employer-based system. Possible steps include reducing the cost drivers in the system, improving the quality of health care and making certain that the uninsured have access to health care.

But a state health care takeover isn't the answer.

“Most Connecticut adults are pleased with their health care and think it should remain a private-sector industry,” pollster John Zogby said. “This fits with other Zogby polling nationwide that shows people sense changes need to be made to the health care industry, but that they do not trust government to take it over.”

Education
When it comes to receiving a quality education, almost all (90%) of the residents responding to the poll said they are satisfied with their children's education, but the majority (85%) support raising academic standards in public schools for all students so they are better prepared to enter college or the workforce.

It’s critical that policy changes be made to Connecticut's education system to provide students with the higher skills necessary to be successful in today's high-tech global economy.

“By better educating Connecticut's school children, more opportunities will be open to them for postsecondary education and high-wage employment,” said Lauren Weisberg Kaufman, CBIA vice president for education and job training and executive director of the CBIA Education Foundation.

For more information about the survey, contact CBIA's Peter Gioia at 860-244-1945 or gioiap@cbia.com.