GOVERNOR: TEXAS 2022

Among voters statewide

Matthew McConaughey: 45%
Gov. Greg Abbott: 33%
Someone else: 22%

RON’S COMMENT: Actor McConaughey has talked about a possible run for governor, aiming his criticism at the political system. This poll shows he could be a major factor…. In this trial heat, McConaughey beats the Republican incumbent 66-8 among Democratic voters and 44-29 among independent voters. Abbott wins Republican voters 56-30…. Other internal data from the Univ. of Texas/Tyler poll:

• Gov. Abbott’s job rating is 50% approve/15% neither/36% disapprove. It should be noted that 35% of voters who approve of the governor’s job performance pick McConaughey in the trial heat…. Only 46% say they trust Abbott’s handling of the pandemic, while 47% say they do not…. 54% of voters say Abbott did “well” or “very well” responding to the February storm-related electricity outages; 44% say he did not do well. Interestingly, McConaughey beats Abbott 57-9 among those who say the governor did not do well handling the outages.
• Sen. Ted Cruz (R) is seen favorably by 44% of Texas voters and 42% unfavorably; 11% say neither.
• Sen. Jon Cornyn (R) is seen favorably by 42% voters and 24% unfavorably; 24% say neither.
• A plurality of Texas voters (42-37) favor Senate-passed legislation that would ban abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected.

BIDEN’S INFRASTRUCTURE-JOBS-CLIMATE SPENDING PLAN

Among voters nationwide

SUPPORT FOR OVERALL PLAN

President Biden announced his American Jobs Plan, a $2.3 trillion plan intended to address infrastructure, climate change, and job creation. From what you ́ve read or heard, do you support or oppose this plan? 

Support: 56%
Oppose: 36%

RON’S COMMENT: 92% of Democrats, 18% of Republicans and 51% of independents support the Biden plan as explained in this poll question. While 25% of voters say the plan goes too far, 20% say it doesn’t go far enough and another 40% say it’s about right.

PAY FOR THE PLAN

Do you support or oppose funding the American Jobs Plan in any of the following ways: 

Increasing taxes on those making more than $400,000 a year? 
Support: 64%
Oppose: 34%

Raising the corporate tax rate above the current 21 percent? 
Support: 50%
Oppose: 46%

A tax of at least 21 percent on the earnings U.S. corporations make in other countries? 
Support: 64%
Oppose: 28%

Increasing the gas tax to adjust for inflation? 
Support: 29%
Oppose: 66%

Increasing usage fees such as tolls? 
Support: 31%
Oppose: 62%

Adjustments of the tax rates to increase taxes on all Americans? 
Support: 19%
Oppose: 77%

Borrow money and just add to the national debt? 
Support: 20%
Oppose: 74%

RON’S COMMENT: As Sen. Russell Long used to say, “Don’t tax you. Don’t tax me. Tax the fellow behind the tree.” Based on this poll, it appears that voters oppose any taxes or fees they may have to pay personally (i.e., income and gas taxes, tolls), but are more likely to favor taxing others (those making more than $400k, corporations)…. 90% of Democrats, 32% of Republicans and 44% of independents support increasing taxes on those making more than $400,000 a year…. 80% of Democrats, 17% of Republicans and 48% of independents support raising the corporate tax rate above the current 21 percent.

DEFINING INFRASTRUCTURE

Do you consider roads, bridges, and ports to be part of the country ́s infrastructure, or not? 
Yes: 96%

Do you consider pipes that supply public drinking water to be part of the country ́s infrastructure, or not? 
Yes: 89%

Do you consider the electric grid to be part of the country ́s infrastructure, or not? 
Yes: 85%

Do you consider electric vehicle charging stations to be part of the country ́s infrastructure, or not? 
Yes: 50%

Do you consider broadband internet service to be part of the country ́s infrastructure, or not? 
Yes: 61%

Do you consider long-term health care to be part of the country ́s infrastructure, or not? 
Yes: 56%

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