FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENews from Progress Michigan
March 8, 2021
Contact: Sam Inglot, 616-916-0574, sam@progressmichigan.org
New Poll: Michiganders are Ready for Real Transparency and Reform
Monthly newsletter tracks public opinion about various issues and political figures
MICHIGAN – On Monday, Progress Michigan released the latest edition of Lake Effect, a monthly research newsletter that tracks Michigan voters’ opinions about a variety of political issues and public officials.
“Once again, the polling shows just how sick and tired Michiganders are of political games,” said Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan. “We deserve real transparency and accountability from our elected officials, and Michigan voters are ready to make that happen with initiatives like FOIA expansion, lobbying reform, and financial disclosure requirements. This polling shows what we already knew, the people of Michigan want real FOIA extended to the Governor and Legislature, not some version riddled with special carveouts for the Legislature to avoid transparency. Meanwhile, the Republican Party’s efforts to undermine Gov. Whitmer, by holding up crucial federal relief money, continues to be wildly unpopular with the public. The past year has been incredibly tough, but we’re looking forward to making some real progress and charting a better path for our state going forward.”
Full results of the poll can be found here. Some highlights include:
- 74 percent of respondents strongly or somewhat support expanding FOIA to include the legislature and governor’s office. Only 8 percent strongly or somewhat oppose the measure.
- 85 percent of those polled strongly or somewhat support stronger transparency requirements around lobbying, compared to only 3 percent who strongly or somewhat oppose.
- 87 percent of respondents strongly or somewhat support financial disclosure requirements for elected officials, while only 5 percent strongly or somewhat oppose.
- 48 percent of those polled oppose the legislature’s refusal to allocate federal COVID relief money unless Gov. Whitmer gives up her emergency powers. Only 30 percent support their efforts.
- 53 percent of respondents strongly or somewhat approve of Gov. Whitmer’s job handling the coronavirus, while 46 percent strongly or somewhat disapprove. Only 34 percent approve of the legislature’s approach, compared to 58 percent who disapprove.
- 52 percent of those polled strongly or somewhat support expanding the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to cover the LGBTQ+ community, while only 29 percent oppose.
- 47 percent of respondents agree that Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey should resign due to his ties with militia groups, while only 29 percent say he shouldn’t.
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