Politics & Government

Poll: Massachusetts Voters Say No to Cuts in Fiscal Cliff Talks

Instead, those polled say, increase taxes on the rich and end corporate subsidies.

As Congress wrestles how to avoid with the imminent fiscal cliff, a poll finds that Massachusetts voters strongly favor increased taxes on the rich, less corporate welfare and no cuts in social security, Medicare or Medicaid.

"I think that this survey really gives us a clear view of voters expectations of their elected officials," said Jason Stephany of MassUniting, a coalition of community groups, neighborhoods, faith organizations and workers advocating for good jobs, corporate accountability. MassUniting conducted the poll along with Public Policy Polling. It was conducted from Nov. 27 to 29 and included 638 Massachusetts voters. 

"Essentially,the big thing that this poll tells us is that this election was not a fluke or a one-off thing," pollster Jim Williams, of Public Policy Polling, said. The top priorities for Massachusetts voters continue to be "job creation, deficit reduction and affordable health care."

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By strong margins, voters support raising revenue rather than cutting services. When asked whether those making more than $250,000 should pay more in taxes, 61 percent said yes. 

When asked if social security, Medicare or Medicaid should be cut, 73 percent said no. Upward of 77 percent support eliminating oil subsidies and corporate tax loopholes, and 76 percent say Congress should pass meaningful legislation to support job creation. 

Find out what's happening in Back Baywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

And if Congress doesn't reach an agreement, a plurality of Bay State voters – 42 percent – would blame Republicans. But Democrats wouldn't entire escape blame; 28 percent would blame the Dems and 27 percent of those polled say both parties would be equally to blame.

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