FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan
July 12, 2023
Contact: Denzel McCampbell, 313-400-0298, denzel@progressmichigan.org
New Poll: Voters Show Strong Support for Transparency Reform, 2024 Budget
Priorities pushed by Gov. Whitmer, Democratic legislature, continue to be popular
MICHIGAN – On Wednesday, Progress Michigan released the latest edition of Lake Effect, a monthly research newsletter that tracks public opinion about a variety of policy issues.
“Deep into the summer months, the sun is shining in Michigan and folks across the state are ready for more sunlight on state government,” said Sam Inglot, executive director of Progress Michigan. “We continue to see through the roof support for FOIA and lobbying reform and we’re ready to help our lawmakers get that work done. At the same time, we see that the tireless work of police accountability and racial justice advocates have reached Michiganders, who strongly support policies to hold police accountable to the people they’re sworn to serve. When it comes to progressive priorities in the state budget, like broadband for all, feeding kids and expanding childcare access, Michiganders believe it’s a no-brainer. There are a lot of good things happening in Lansing under the leadership of Governor Whitmer and Democratic leadership in the legislature and we’re ready to keep the progress rolling and continue to pursue popular, systemic change in our state.”
Results from this month’s poll are available here. Some key takeaways include:
- 75 percent of respondents support the Michigan legislature’s 2024 budget, while just 19 percent oppose it.
- A staggering 92 percent of those polled support expanding the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to cover the governor’s office and the legislature, with only 3 percent in opposition.
- The idea of banning all gifts from lobbyists to lawmakers also earned support from 92 percent of those polled, compared to just 4 percent who oppose it.
- 85 percent of respondents support efforts to close the revolving door between state government and lobbying with a mandatory 2-year cooling-off period, while just 5 percent oppose.
- Respondents were asked about several police accountability policies, including:
- Banning no-knock warrants – 78 percent support, 14 percent oppose
- Requiring officers to intervene when they see another officer using excessive force – 92 percent support, 5 percent oppose
- Requiring police departments to update their use of force policies – 79 percent support, 15 percent oppose
- Banning tampering with body cameras and revoking licenses from officers found to have used excessive force – 81 percent support, 10 percent oppose
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