Voters are looking for bold policy solutions to address economic impacts of pandemic
Overwhelming support for COVID worker protections and mask mandate
New polling commissioned by the State Innovation Exchange (SiX) shows Florida voters are deeply concerned over the impact of COVID-19. Sixty three percent of Florida voters agree that because of the impacts of the pandemic, the state government should invest more resources in struggling families, businesses, schools, and healthcare systems.
“What these results show us is that with so many out of work and having hours cut due to the pandemic, Floridians want the state government to help get money into the hands of the people who need it to keep them from going hungry, being unable to access health care, or losing their homes,” said James Chan, SiX Florida State Director.
To help support Floridians, voters want the state legislature to take bold action to respond to the economic fallout from the pandemic and lower healthcare costs.
- Floridians support the expansion and increase of unemployment benefits
- Expand unemployment benefits– 58% good thing/ 16% bad thing;
- Money for those receiving unemployment benefits– 46% should increase/ 10% should decrease;
- Expand protections to cover gig workers– 49% support/ 19% oppose; and
- Expansion of Medicaid, 65% support/21% oppose.
Additionally, support is overwhelming (77% support) for new workplace safety requirements in Florida meant to keep workers safe from COVID during the pandemic. Floridians also strongly (67%) support a statewide mask mandate in public places across Florida.
The support for an agenda to increase revenue is underpinned by a broad sense among Florida voters that small-businesses, the middle-class and residents from low-income backgrounds are paying too much in state taxes while wealthy families and corporations are paying too little.
The poll finds strong support for the legislature to take action to raise the needed revenue. Policy ideas tested included:
- Raising taxes on tobacco and vaping products– 73% support;
- Legalize and tax the sale of marijuana– 71% support
- Closing corporate tax loopholes– 70% support;
- Increase the corporate income tax rate for large corporations in Florida– 66% support;
- Legalize and tax sports betting in Florida– 66% support; and
- Create a carbon tax paid by companies based on how much carbon they emit– 63% support.
Click here for more results.
The State Innovation Exchange (SiX) is a national resource and strategy center that collaborates with state legislators to improve people’s lives through transformative public policy. SiX provides legislators with on-the-ground support; creates tailored policy research, trainings, and communications guidance; and fosters collaboration between legislators—across chambers, across regions, and across state lines—and with grassroots movements.
Twitter: @stateinnovation
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