Immigration and budget are troubling for Arizonans, according to new poll

The Arizona Technology Council today released the results of a survey conducted on their behalf by Public Opinion Strategies that sought to get a read on what Arizonans think about a number of public policy issues. The findings show that the state is united in concern over the current budget crisis and in opposition to increased property taxes and school bonding, but split over several other key questions - including whether or not Arizona is on the right track.

Among those polled, a plurality, 45 percent, believe the state is headed in the "right direction," as opposed to 40 percent who think it's on the "wrong track." Exactly half believe the economy is either "excellent" or "good," while 49 percent rate it "not good" or "poor."

On the issues, over a third of respondents rated illegal immigration as their top concern, followed by education; jobs and the economy; taxes, spending and the budget; and healthcare costs.

Arizonans favor paying for school construction as it occurs, as opposed to bonding, by a 3-1 margin, and 23 percent would recommend spending cuts at state colleges and universities to help resolve the budget crisis. Welfare was the sector Arizonans were most willing to see cuts in - 36 percent said it should receive reduced funding if spending reductions are necessary to balance the budget.

The question that generated the strongest consensus among respondents was whether they were worried about the estimated $3 billion state budget shortfall over the next two years - 86 percent said they were either very or somewhat concerned.

Yet significantly less consensus exists over how to rectify the situation. While Arizonans overwhelmingly oppose an increase in property taxes - 75 to 24 percent - there is more flexibility on increasing sales tax. 54 percent oppose a sales tax increase to 45 percent who would consider it.   

The survey involved interviews with 500 likely voters over two days, and has a margin of error of 4.4 percent.

Read the complete results of the survey.