LANSING – By a slim majority, Michigan residents would rather see the state government shut down than their tax bills go up, according to a poll released Wednesday by Marketing Resource Group and Inside Michigan Politics.

The poll also found a substantial lead for Lt. Governor John Cherry Jr. in the Democratic gubernatorial primary but a virtual tie between Attorney General Mike Cox and U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-Holland) in the Republican primary.

The poll found 51 percent of likely voters would prefer the government to shut down rather than increase taxes. Some 45 percent would accept a tax increase over a shutdown.

On the most recent tax proposal by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, which included a 25-cent tobacco tax increase, sales taxes on certain event tickets and services and reductions in some tax credits, 58 percent opposed the plan. Only 39 percent supported the plan.

In a separate poll, also released Wednesday by the Michigan Republican Party and conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, 67 percent of voters said it was at least somewhat likely there would not be a resolution to the budget in time to avoid a government shutdown.

The Republican-paid poll also showed 61 percent agreeing with Republicans that the budget deficit should be addressed entirely through cuts compared to 33 percent who agreed there should be some tax increases.

Residents also oppose plans to allow a new Lottery game at horse racing tracks, the MRG poll said. Lucky Tab Two saw 52 percent opposition and 43 percent support.

On the upcoming elections, Cherry had a wide lead over former Rep. John Freeman and current Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith of Salem Township in the MRG poll – although he was well short of 50 percent. Among all voters, Cherry had 38 percent, Freeman 8 percent and Smith 6 percent. Among likely Democrats the percents went up but the proportions remained close at 40 percent, 9 percent and 8 percent respectively.

Cox and Hoekstra held statistical ties among all voters and among likely Republicans, the poll showed. All voters gave Cox the lead with 27 percent and Hoekstra 23 percent. Republicans gave Cox the same 27 percent, but 26 percent supported Hoekstra.

Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard garnered 15 percent support among all voters and Republican voters. Sen. Tom George of Kalamazoo and businessman Rick Snyder each took 2 percent among both groups.

The poll did match Cherry against some of the potential GOP challengers, and Cherry showed a commanding lead only against Snyder. Bouchard showed a small lead over Cherry and Cox took a narrow lead with House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Twp.) thrown in as an independent. The poll did not match Cherry against Hoekstra.

The MRG poll was conducted September 12-20 among 600 likely voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.1 percentage points. The GOP poll was conducted September 13-14 of 600 registered voters with a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

This story was provided by Gongwer News Service. To subscribe, click on Gongwer.Com

a>>