1. MONTANA STATEWIDE SURVEY
Douglas E. Schoen, LLC
September 12, 2011

2. OVERVIEW
This survey was conducted with a representative sample of 400 registered voters in Montana.
The purpose of this survey was to test Montana voters’ knowledge and opinions of public sector salaries and benefits, and reform of such benefits. The survey also tested voter opinion of state budgetary issues taking place in Montana.
The margin of sampling error for this survey is +/- 4.9%.

3. OVERVIEW
There is dissatisfaction with the economy but not as much as with other states.
There is widespread belief that they have an efficient government.

4. OVERVIEW
There is a plurality of support for freezing salaries and requiring current public employees to pay more towards their benefits given state budget crises, but there is not a desire for retirees to have to contribute more.
A majority do not want to pay more taxes or cut services to keep public employee benefits at their present level.

5. OVERVIEW
Montana voters say their state did not face a budget crisis this year. They blame elected officials for state budget crises in general, and believe that cutting spending is the best way to address these crises, and that raising taxes is the least desirable way.
They favor reducing some state services to address budget crises but they oppose raising taxes.

6. OVERVIEW
A plurality oppose collective bargaining, believing that public employees should not use collective bargaining to potentially limit or delay government services. A slight plurality are favor restrictions on collective bargaining.
60% favor reducing benefits if the state cannot afford them. But a plurality feel that the budget crisis was caused by mismanagement and that benefits earned through collective bargaining were fairly gained.

7. OVERVIEW
And they say it is unclear how much money will actually be saved by limiting collective bargaining.
Montana voters want to phase out teacher tenure.

8. OVERVIEW
Voters favor having a choice between a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan.
They say that police and firefighters should be able to collect pensions after 25 years of service, and that teachers should be able to collect pensions after a set period of service, even if they are not 65 yet.

9. OVERVIEW: OUTCOMES OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PAY AND BENEFIT REFORM
The strongest arguments for reforming public employee benefits and salary are that voters will support reform if it will preserve key social programs and equalize private and public sector salaries.

10. OVERVIEW: OUTCOMES OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING REFORM
Voters are not convinced that collective bargaining reform will make government more efficient, improve state finances, bring budgets into balance and preserve key programs.
When given the choice between reforming collective bargaining and reforming employee benefits, voters opt for reforming benefits 49% to 37%.

11. OVERVIEW – MONTANA-SPECIFIC ISSUES
Montana voters say that public employees are good for the state, even though they believe that the unions are looking out primarily for themselves rather than public workers.
Voters side with unions rather than government officials in saying that public employees haven't had significant pay increases over the past several years.

12. OVERVIEW – MONTANA-SPECIFIC ISSUES
They say that state officials are not aggressive enough in in representing the taxpayers in collective bargaining negotiations.
Voters are largely unsure about what percentage of state employees are unionized. The median guess is 39%, when in fact about 60% are unionized.
53% say that at least some public employees should be allowed to strike.
There is a substantial belief that union dues go to election campaigns and politicians (70%).

13. DIRECTION OF THE ECONOMY
Voters are satisfied with the direction of Montana’s economy. 55% say it is headed in the right direction, while 37% say it is on the wrong track.

14. Efficiency of the State Government
However, voters say that Montana has an efficient government, 83% to 17%.

15. PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEES—SALARIES AND BENEFITS
We introduced the ideas of salaries, benefits, and pay and benefit freezes: “Public sector employees receive salaries and two types of benefits: health care and defined-benefit pensions, which guarantee workers a retirement income based on years worked and peak pay levels. Questions have been raised about whether salaries should be frozen and whether employees should be required to contribute more towards their benefits because state and local governments are having problems paying them due to budget deficits. Some say that public employees' salaries should be frozen and they should be required to contribute more towards their benefits. Others disagree and say their salaries should not be frozen and they should not be required to contribute more towards their benefits.” Then, we asked voters which view was closer to their opinion.

16. PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEES—SALARIES AND BENEFITS
A plurality (48%) say that public employees’ salaries should not be frozen and they should not be required to contribute more to their benefits because of state budget issues.

17. PUBLIC SECTOR RETIREES—SALARIES AND BENEFITS
A solid majority of Montana voters (65%) think that public sector retirees should not have to contribute more towards their pensions and benefits because of budget problems, while 29% say they should have to.

18. PUBLIC SECTORE RETIREES—SALARIES AND BENEFITS

19. PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEES—TAX INCREASES TO KEEP BENEFITS
By 52% to 39%, Montana voters reject the idea of paying more taxes to keep public employee benefits at their present levels if their state faces budget problems.

20. PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEES—SERVICE CUTS TO KEEP BENEFITS
A similar majority of Montana voters (56%) reject the idea of accepting service cuts to keep public employee benefits at their current levels if their state faces budget problems.

21. STATE BUDGET CRISIS

22. MONTANA BUDGET CRISIS
A majority of Montana voters (62%) thought that their state government did not face a budget crisis this year.

23. MONTANA BUDGET CRISIS
7% of Montana voters say they thought their budget crisis was resolved with tax increases, and 6% said it was resolved with a combination of spending cuts and tax increases.
How was Montana’s government’s budget crisis resolved?
Tax increases 7%
Both spending cuts and tax increases 6%
Spending cuts 5%
Some other way 4%

24. STATE GOVERNMENTS IN CRISIS—WHO’S TO BLAME?
A plurality of Montana voters (46%) felt that budget imbalances have been caused by the self-serving decisions of elected state officials.
The blame for budget deficits should fall on…
Elected state officials for making careless and self-serving decisions
46%
State governments for spending too much money
24%
State governments for providing public employees with too many benefits
13%
State governments for taxing too little 8%

25. STATE GOVERNMENTS IN CRISIS—BEST SOLUTIONS
A majority of Montana voters (53%) say that the best way to address the problem of not being able to pay for public employee benefits is to cut government spending.
The best way to address the problem of not being able to pay for public employee benefits would be…
Cut government spending
53%
Require current public employees to contribute more to their pensions
20%
Raise taxes
17%
Require retired public employees to contribute more to their pensions
11%

26. STATE GOVERNMENTS IN CRISIS—WORST SOLUTIONS
A plurality of Montana voters (39%) say that the least desirable way to address the problem of not being able to pay for public employee benefits is to raise taxes.
The least desirable way to address the problem of not being able to pay for public employee benefits would be…
Raise taxes
39%
Require retired public employees to contribute more to their pensions
33%
Cut government spending
15%
Require current public employees to contribute more to their pensions 8%

27. STATE GOVERNMENTS IN CRISIS—SERVICE CUTS
Next, we asked Montana voters whether they favor or oppose cutting or eliminating state services to reduce state budget deficits. A majority of Montana voters (57%) favor reducing certain state services to reduce state budget deficits.

28. STATE GOVERNMENTS IN CRISIS—SERVICE CUTS

29. STATE GOVERNMENTS IN CRISIS—TAX INCREASES
Montana voters oppose increasing state sales, income, or other taxes to reduce state budget deficits, 58% to 34%.

30. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

31. STATE GOVERNMENTS IN CRISIS—PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE
A majority (58%) of Montana voters say that they have heard some or a lot about recent efforts to reduce deficits by cutting the benefits of public employees. 42% say they have heard not much or nothing.

32. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING—GENERAL MOOD
Next, we introduced the idea of collective bargaining, and asked Montana voters which position best describes their views:
By negotiating as part of a union rather than individually, public employees can have more leverage in securing the higher pay and more generous benefits that they deserve or
Public employees should not bargain collectively and use the power of the group to potentially limit, delay or restrict the delivery of important government services

33. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING—GENERAL MOOD
A slight plurality of Montana voters (47%) oppose collective bargaining, that is, they believe that public employees should not bargain collectively and use the power of the group to potentially limit or delay government services.

34. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING—HEARD A LOT
Of those who say they have heard a lot about state efforts to cut public employee benefits, a majority oppose collective bargaining and say that employees should not use the power of the group to potentially limit or delay government services, 52% to 43%.

35. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING—RESTRICTIONS
Montana voters are split, 46% to 45%, on whether they favor or oppose restrictions on collective bargaining.

36. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING—PUBLIC FUNDS FOR BENEFITS
Next, we asked voters which position best describes their attitudes about public employee funding:
People work for public entities because they want the security, better pension and health care benefits, so it is unfair to require people to contribute more towards these benefits or
These benefits should be given if state governments can afford them, but if they can't afford them, everyone must accept the fiscal realities of these times and the benefits should be reduced or employees should be required to contribute more towards them

37. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING—PUBLIC FUNDS FOR BENEFITS
A majority of Montana voters (64%) felt that public benefits should be reduced to reflect fiscal realities. Those who heard a lot about state efforts to reduce public employee benefits agree, 63% to 21%.
Which best describes your views?
All
Heard a lot
These benefits should be given if state governments can afford them, but if they can't afford them, everyone must accept the fiscal realities of these times and the benefits should be reduced or employees should be required to contribute more towards them
60%
63%
People work for public entities because they want the security, better pension and health care benefits, so it is unfair to require people to contribute more towards these benefits
33%
21%

38. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING—ARE UNIONS TO BLAME?
Next, we asked voters which position best describes their values about whether public employees are to blame for budget crises:
Budget problems states face are the result of mismanagement and overspending, and public sector workers have bargained for the pay and benefits they received
or 
Collective bargaining gives public sector employees an effective monopoly control over the government's workforce, allowing the unions to get too much public money spent for their salaries and benefits.

39. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING—ARE UNIONS TO BLAME?
A plurality of Montana voters (47%) feel that the budget crisis was caused by mismanagement and that benefits earned through collective bargaining were fairly gained.

40. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING—LIMITS AS A BUDGET FIX
A majority of Montana voters (62%) say it is unclear how much money will actually be saved by limiting collective bargaining.
How would limiting collective bargaining impact state budgets?
It would result in more reasonable benefits for public employees, allowing states to close their budget gaps
26%
It is unclear how much money would actually be saved by restricting collective bargaining rights.
62%

41. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS—TENURE FOR TEACHERS
64% of Montana voters believe that tenure should be phased out because it makes it harder to fire bad teachers and bring in new ones. 29% say tenure is a longstanding right for public school teachers and that it should not be taken away.

42. PENSIONS

43. PENSIONS—PLAN OPTIONS
Next, we introduced defined benefit and defined contribution programs: “States are now moving away from defined benefit programs, where employees are guaranteed a set payment upon retirement based on their salary and years of work, to defined contribution programs that most private sector workers are enrolled in, where both the employer and employee contribute to the retirement plan and the actual payout is based on the investment return. This is because defined benefit programs are too expensive.” Then, we asked voters if they favored giving public employees a choice between defined benefit or defined contribution plans.

44. PENSIONS—PLAN OPTIONS
A strong majority of Montana voters (72%) favor giving public employees a choice between these two plans.

45. PENSIONS—PLAN OPTIONS
Next, we asked: “Some people say that giving public employees the opportunity to participate in a defined contribution plan, which gives the employee the power to make decisions and the ability to take the plan with them as they move around from job-to-job because defined contribution plans offer investor choice and portability.” We asked voters if they favor or oppose giving public employees a choice between participating in a defined benefit plan or a defined contribution plan to increase investor choice and portability.

46. PENSIONS—PLAN OPTIONS
An even stronger majority of Montana voters (79%) favor giving public employees a choice between these two plans to increase investor choice and portability.

47. PENSIONS—PLAN OPTIONS
By 56% to 29%, Montana voters favor moving public employees from defined benefit plans to defined contribution plans.

48. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE SALARIES
34% think that the salaries of public employees are too high, while one-third say they are about right. 19% say they are too low.

49. PENSIONS—POLICE & FIREFIGHTERS
By 61% to 34%, Montana voters say that police and firefighters should be able to collect pensions if they are in their forties or fifties, even if they have served for 25 or more years.

50. PENSIONS—TEACHERS
And by 57% to 37%, Montana voters think that public school teachers should be able to collect pensions after a set period of service, even if they are not 65 yet.

51. UNIONS IN POLITICS
A slight majority of Montana voters (51%) say that public employee unions gain too much influence when they lobby for and help elect the same officials with whom the will bargain with.

52. OUTCOMES OF REFORM

53. OUTCOMES OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PAY AND BENEFIT REFORM
Next we read voters a list of outcomes that people say will result from reforming the way public employees are compensated and the benefits they receive.
After each, we asked voters if they were more likely to support reform of public employees’ salaries and benefits if they knew this outcome would result from such reform.

54. OUTCOMES OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PAY AND BENEFIT REFORM
The strongest arguments for reforming public employee benefits and salary are as follows:
52% say that they are more likely to support reform if it will preserve key social programs
Half are more likely to support reform if it will equalize private and public sector salaries

55. OUTCOMES OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PAY AND BENEFIT REFORM
There is less support for reform if it will help hold the line on taxes (45%) and if it makes government more effective and efficient (44%).

56. OUTCOMES OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PAY AND BENEFIT REFORM

57. OUTCOMES OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING REFORM
Then we asked voters about outcomes of collective bargaining reform, or reforming the process of how public employee wages and salaries are negotiated.
Voters are not convinced that collective bargaining reform will make government more efficient.

58. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING REFORM—GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY
By 51% to 36%, voters say that reforming collective bargaining will not make the government more efficient or effective.

59. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING REFORM OUTCOMES
Less than a majority (43%) say reforming collective bargaining will preserve key social programs. A plurality (48%) say collective bargaining reform will not make state budgets more resilient, and a 43% plurality say reform will not equalize private and public sector salaries.
Put simply, voters are unconvinced that collective bargaining reform will improve state finances, bring budgets into balance and preserve key programs.

60. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING REFORM—OUTCOMES

61. REFORM—SALARIES AND BENEFITS OR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING?
And when given the choice, Montana voters say by 49% to 37% that states finances will be improved more by reforming public employees’ salaries and benefits than by reforming collective bargaining.
Which is more important to improving the state's finances - reforming the collective bargaining process, or reforming the way public employees are compensated and the benefits they receive?
Reforming collective bargaining is more important
37%
Reforming public employees’ benefits is more important
49%

62. MONTANA-SPECIFIC QUESTIONS

63. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE UNIONS
Generally speaking, Montana voters say that public employee unions are good rather than bad for the state, 46% to 40%.

64. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE UNIONS
Montana voters say that public employee unions are primarily looking out for themselves rather than for public workers, 57% to 34%.

65. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PAY IN MONTANA
Next, we asked voters who they agree with more, unions or government officials:
Montana public employee unions say that public employees haven't had significant pay increases over the past several years. or
Government officials say that with automatic cost of living and benefit increases, they have had significant increases.

66. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PAY IN MONTANA
A majority (51%) of voters say that public employees haven't had significant pay increases over the past few years.

67. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE UNIONS
By 69% to 18%, voters say that state government could be more aggressive and effective in representing the interests of the taxpayers in negotiations over collective bargaining.

68. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE UNIONIZATION IN MONTANA
Voters are largely unsure about what percentage of state employees are unionized. The median guess is 39%, when in fact about 60% are unionized.

69. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PAY IN MONTANA
53% say that at least some public employees should be allowed to strike, with 48% saying all or just those not working in public safety, and another 5% saying just those working in public safety.

70. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE UNION DUES
70% say that the majority of union dues go to election campaigns or to politicians who support unions.
Where do you think the majority of union dues go?
(two choices accepted, responses combined)
To election campaigns or to politicians who support unions
70%
To operating the union
48%
To protesting and organizing
17%
To non-profits the unions support
14%

71. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS
A plurality (47%) say that workers need collective bargaining rights so that they can negotiate in good faith with state government.
Which position is closer to your view?
Workers need collective bargaining rights so that they can negotiate in good faith with state government.
47%
Collective bargaining gives too much power to public employees, and ultimately gives unions many rights and benefits that private sector workers don't have.
43%

72. ADDRESSING A POTENTIAL BUDGET CRISIS
Montana voters are divided on which they prefer to deal with any fiscal crisis that may emerge. 41% say keep employees’ salaries the same and reduce the number of workers, while 39% say reduce employees’ salaries.

73. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION
Overall, 72% of voters say public employee compensation should be available to the public. Of that 72%, 38% say names should be included and 34% say they should not.
Do you think that public employee compensation should be available to the public, and if so, should such disclosure include names?
Public employee compensation should be available to the public and names should be included.
38%
Public employee compensation should be available to the public , but names should not be included.
34%
Public employee compensation should not be available to the public.
17%