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Poll: Don't tax or borrow to balance books

Ryan Ley stands on a wall outside of the state Capitol on March 1, 2011 in Madison, Wisconsin. A judge ordered Tuesday that the state Capitol should be opened to the public "during business hours and at times when governmental matters, such as hearings, listening sessions and court arguments are being conducted." Although protesters, occupying the Capitol for 15 days, were not forced to leave, the public has been barred from entering the building since it closed at 4 p.m. on Sunday. UPI/Brian Kersey
1 of 3 | Ryan Ley stands on a wall outside of the state Capitol on March 1, 2011 in Madison, Wisconsin. A judge ordered Tuesday that the state Capitol should be opened to the public "during business hours and at times when governmental matters, such as hearings, listening sessions and court arguments are being conducted." Although protesters, occupying the Capitol for 15 days, were not forced to leave, the public has been barred from entering the building since it closed at 4 p.m. on Sunday. UPI/Brian Kersey | License Photo

PRINCETON, N.J., March 9 (UPI) -- U.S. residents are more likely to favor cutting state programs and reducing the number of state employees than taxing or borrowing, Gallup said Wednesday.

Of the seven possible scenarios a state could use to balance its budget, voters most likely favor cutting state programs and furloughing state workers, 65 percent and 62 percent respectively, results indicated.

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The least favored methods were floating more bonds, 30 percent, and raising income or sales taxes, 33 percent, results indicated.

Even though 62 percent of respondents said they favor layoffs, 43 percent said they favor cutting state workers' pay and benefits while 54 percent said they opposed such measures, the Princeton, N.J., polling agency said.

Also, the poll found those surveyed were closely divided on the key issue in the Wisconsin budget battle -- whether to limit collective bargaining rights for public employees. About half of those polled, 49 percent, said they would favor such an action in their own state while 45 percent said they opposed it.

Results are based on nationwide telephone interviews with 1,021 adults Thursday through Sunday. The margin of error is 4 percentage points.

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