Poll: Voters widely support federal spending on jobs programs

{mosads}But most interestingly, support for the federal jobs programs hardly declines when respondents are informed that federal tax dollars would fund the initiatives. Of those surveyed, 72 percent support both the infrastructure hiring and jobs program, even when it was emphasized that the program would spend government money.

“Job creation proposals enjoy widespread public support, including majority backing among all party groups, even when the issue of government spending is raised in an era when deficit reduction is one of the major priorities for the federal government,” Gallup’s Jeffrey M. Jones said in a statement.

Indeed, three-quarters of Democrats support a tax break for companies that create jobs, while more than nine in 10 Democrats support federal jobs and infrastructure programs. With independents, 78 percent back the tax break, while three-quarters support the jobs and infrastructure programs.

Republicans are the most likely to support the tax break, with 88 percent saying they would do so. And while they’re more skeptical of the infrastructure and jobs programs, majorities still back the initiatives — even when told it would cost federal tax dollars.

Still, legislative gridlock and the ongoing dispute over a deficit reduction deal could shelve each of the popular proposals, even with bipartisan support.

“Despite the high levels of support for the job creation proposals, the political realities in Washington are such that Congress has not passed any of the proposals since President Obama first advocated many of these more than a year ago,” said Jones. “The major sticking point with jobs legislation — as with most other measures being considered in Washington — may not be whether the programs should be pursued but whether the government should pay for them through increased taxes or cuts in other government programs.”