POLL: Wisconsinites More Optimistic About Economic Growth in 2017

MADISON, WI - Wisconsinites are far more optimistic about the state's economic growth in 2017 than they were last year, according to a poll commissioned by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce.

However, those surveyed are still concerned about increasing health care costs and Wisconsin's high level of taxes.

The poll of 506 Wisconsin voters was taken December 12-14 and was conducted by the Washington, DC-based Tarrance Group. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.5 percent. The Tarrance Group is described as "one of the most widely respected and successful Republican strategic research and polling firms in the nation" according to company documentation.

Key findings:

• Forty-two percent believe Wisconsin's economy will stay about the same. 35 percent say they expect the state economy will improve, and 19 percent say it will get worse.
• 32 percent of those surveyed believe their personal economic situation will improve this year, an increase from 18 percent at the beginning of 2016. 49 percent believe their personal economic situation will stay about the same.
• 58 percent of those surveyed said their health insurance costs increased over the last year, and only two percent said their costs decreased.
• When asked which taxes they would like to see cut, 43 percent said they would like to see lower property taxes, followed by income taxes (31 percent) and the state sales tax (11 percent).
• When asked how they feel about a five-cents-per-gallon gas tax to pay for highway projects and road upkeep, 49 percent of those surveyed were in favor and 48 percent opposed. Along partisan lines, the report stated that 56 percent of Republicans opposed the gas tax increase, and 39 percent of Democrats opposed such an increase.
• On other policies, 78 percent of those surveyed agreed that they would support giving parents the choice to decide which school their child attends.

"Confidence in Wisconsin's economy continues to grow for Wisconsin voters, a sign that the policies coming out of Madison are moving our state in the right direction," said Kurt R. Bauer, WMC President/CEO in a prepared statement.

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