New survey: Support for IM 15 dropping

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The Nielson Brothers Polling released new survey results Friday that claim support for Initiated Measure 15 has shrunk to less than 1 percent (43.3 percent for, compared to 42.8 percent against) with 13.9 percent undecided.

The Sioux Falls firm asked voters about three of the seven state ballot questions.

Initiated Measure 15 proposes raising the state sales tax from 4 to 5 percent to bolster education and Medicaid by $180 million a year.

Opposition has grown in recent days, according to NBP, especially among Republicans.

Poll numbers for Referred Law 14 remain steady as 39.8 percent say they will vote against it, 24.1 percent would support it, and 36.1 percent remain undecided.

The proposal would transfer 22 percent of the contractors’ excise tax from the state’s general fund to a Large Project Development Fund.

By contrast, survey findings for Referred Law 16 indicate significant changes. Support has dropped from previous NBP surveys, and is now down to 24.6 percent. Opposition has risen to 51.6 percent while 23.8 percent say they are undecided.

Opposition is strong across the political spectrum to the initiative, which would establish programs for teacher scholarships and bonuses, standardize teacher and principal evaluations, and eliminate tenure requirements. It is based on a plan proposed by Gov. Dennis Daugaard that was referred to a public vote.

Tags: election 2012, news, updates, state, education, taxes, healthcare