On Wednesday, May 26, Mississippians for Economic Progress released a poll in a press conference attended by Haley Barbour, which suggested that Mississippians support the notion of ending "lawsuit abuse" although the poll didn't ask specific questions about non-economic damage caps (and had some "push-poll" questions worded like the first one listed below). That same week, a poll by the Mississippi State University's political science department suggested that a majority of Mississippians were willing to pay more in taxes if it meant better service, echoing findings of a 2003 Stennis Institute study.
MFEP: (Asked of 500 likely voters in Mississippi): "Using a 10 point scale, with 10 being VERY IMPORTANT and one being NOT IMPORTANT at all, please tell me how important the following statement is to you personally: Stopping lawyers from being able to clog our court system with frivolous lawsuits because too many lawsuits make it hard to keep and attract new companies to Mississippi."
RESULT: 50% rate it very important.
MFEP: (Asked of 500 likely voters in Mississippi): "Based on all that you have seen, read, or heard, would you favor or oppose the state legislature changing the current lawsuit system?"
RESULT: 50% strongly favor; 25% somewhat favor.
MSU: (Asked of 523 adult Mississippians) "Currently, Mississippi state government faces financial problems, and the legislature will have to raise taxes or reduce spending on public elementary, secondary, and higher education. What would you favor—raising taxes or reducing education spending?"
RESULT: 67% say raise taxes; 18% say cut spending; 10% say do both.
MSU: "As you know, most of the money government spends comes from the taxes you and others pay. For each of the following, please tell me whether you think state and local government in Mississippi should be spending more, less, or about the same as now."
RESULT: The percentages of respondents who choose "spend more" are: 72% for health care; 63% on public colleges and universities; 48% to encouraging tourism, 40% for environmental programs.
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