Rasmussen: Voters Oppose Bankruptcy for States

Voters are more open-minded if government employees might have their pensions reduced as part of the bankruptcy.

(Rasmussen)- A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 17% of Likely U.S. Voters believe states should be allowed to file for bankruptcy if they are unable to pay their financial obligations. Fifty-four percent (54%) oppose bankruptcy for states, and another 29% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

But voter support nearly doubles to 32% when the question is phrased to include the possibility that government employees might have their pensions reduced if their state filed for bankruptcy. Fifty-one percent (51%) are still opposed to allowing states to declare bankruptcy, but only 17% remain undecided.