PUBLIC OPINION STRATEGIES Senior Project Director PID# Sarah Simmons On Behalf of

SLIDE 2 Public Opinion Strategies is pleased to present the key findings from a statewide survey of 500 likely voters in Wisconsin. The telephone study was completed January 24-25, 2005 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.38%. Sarah Simmons was the primary researcher on ths project. Amanda Bajkowski provided analytical assistance. Methodology

SLIDE 3 WHA ~ ACS Tobacco Tax Study January 24-25, 2005 "And, what would you say is the most important problem facing Wisconsin today, that is, the one that you, yourself, are most concerned about? " Taxes are the top concern for voters, but they are primarily worried about property taxes– surpassing the economic concerns of the last three years. 19% 14% 12% 7% 2% 35% Taxes Economic Health Issues Education State/Local Government Environment Crime Growth/ Transportation Other/ Specific Local Issues 14% Property Tax

SLIDE 4 WHA ~ ACS Tobacco Tax Study January 24-25, 2005 " I am going to ask you to think about some ways that the state could balance the budget, I am going to read you a series of proposals and for each one, please tell me if you would find that action to be – ACCEPTABLE, NOT ACCEPTABLE, or please tell me if you would not have any strong feelings about the action one way or another." The tobacco tax meets with a lot more acceptance than other budgeting proposals. 78% 84% 82% 78% 71% 21% Increasing Wisconsin's gas tax, indexed to increase with inflation and adjusted annually. 65% 63% 56% 52% 15% Reducing availability of Wisconsin's health care programs, like medicaid, which provides services for the elderly, disabled and children. Cutting spending for local education Raising property taxes Raising the tax on tobacco products including cigarettes Total Acceptable

SLIDE 5 WHA ~ ACS Tobacco Tax Study January 24-25, 2005 And, there is wide support for a one dollar increase in the tax to fund health programs. Only 18% oppose any increase in the tobacco tax. "Would you support a ONE DOLLAR increase in the tobacco tax on cigarettes with the money being used to fund Wisconsin's health care programs and programs to prevent youth smoking? " Yes 77% No 22% Don't Know 2% "And, would you support ANY increase in the tobacco tax on cigarettes with the money being used to fund Wisconsin's health care programs and programs to prevent youth smoking? " 4% 18% Move to Yes Hard No

SLIDE 6 WHA ~ ACS Tobacco Tax Study January 24-25, 2005 YesPercent Ages % Democrat Ages % Independent Women87% Working Women87% Democrat Women86% Women Ages % Democrat Other Region85% Madison85% Moderate Democrat85% Soft Democrat85% Total Approve Gov. Doyle85% Women85% Women Ages 55+85% Republican Women83% Soft Republican83% Think State is Going in Right Direction83% Total Democrat83% Independent Ages % Wausau/Rhinelander82% Total Voters77% Support crosses party and regional lines and is driven by women.

SLIDE 7 WHA ~ ACS Tobacco Tax Study January 24-25, % 76% 83% 27% 21% 16% Total Republican (32%) Independent (35%) Total Democrat (31%) YesNo Tobacco Tax Ballot By Party Republicans, Democrats and Independents support the one dollar increase in the tobacco tax to fund health care programs.

SLIDE 8 WHA ~ ACS Tobacco Tax Study January 24-25, % 85% 76% 74% 69% 82% 25% 15% 21% 20% 26% 18% Milwaukee (40%) Madison (17%) Green Bay/ Appleton (19%) La Crosse/ Eau Claire (7%) Northern (8%) Wausau/ Rhinelander (9%) YesNo Tobacco Tax Ballot By Region And, support is strong statewide.

SLIDE 9 WHA ~ ACS Tobacco Tax Study January 24-25, % 84% 79% 45% 47% 83% 46% 14% 15% 18% 55% 52% 15% 53% Never Used (40%) Not A Regular Smoker (19%) Quit (24%) Occasional (6%) Regular Smoker (12%) Total Non-Smoker (82%) Total Smoker (17%) YesNo Tobacco Tax Ballot By Tobacco Use Even smokers are not universally opposed to the increased tobacco tax.

SLIDE 10 WHA ~ ACS Tobacco Tax Study January 24-25, 2005 Support for the tobacco tax makes a difference in voters minds. If a candidate had promised not to raise taxes while running for office, but then voted to increase ONLY the tobacco tax on cigarettes once elected, would that make MORE LIKELY or LESS LIKELY to vote for that candidate, or would it make no difference in your vote? Much More Likely 13% Somewhat More Likely 8% Somewhat Less Likely 7% Much Less Likely 13% No Difference 58% Don't Know 1% Total More Likely/79% No Difference 77% 82% 79% 83% 75% 80% More Likely/No Difference Milwaukee Madison Green Bay/ Appleton La Crosse/ Eau Claire Northern Wausau/ Rhinelander

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