Utahns are back to having split opinions about how the state Legislature — dominated by Republicans — is doing its job these days, a recent UtahPolicy.com poll finds.
Overall, 48 percent “strongly” or “somewhat” approve of the job the 104 part-time lawmakers are doing, while 46 percent “strongly” or “somewhat” disapprove.
A year ago, before Republicans in the Legislature passed, then repealed, a major tax reform effort, most citizens approved of the job lawmakers were doing.
But then came the December/January tax reform repeal effort, which led GOP Gov. Gary Herbert and Republican lawmakers to repeal the tax reform, which would have seen an overall tax cut for most Utahns, but would have raised the tax on grocery store food and gasoline sales.
And in March came the COVID-19 pandemic, which proved difficult for state and local political officeholders of all stripes.
The Y2 Analytics survey from last month shows, once again, that a majority of Utahns no longer give the Legislature approving marks in how they are dealing with various state government challenges.
And, as one would expect, one’s political leanings has a lot to do with citizens’ feelings about legislators:
— Those who told Y2 they are “strong Republicans” approve of the GOP-controlled Legislature’s actions, 67-29 percent, with 4 percent undecided.
Two-thirds approval is a good number. Still, almost 30 percent still disapprove of the job lawmakers from their own party are doing.
However, since most of the Republican incumbents seeking re-election in two weeks hail from very conservative House and Senate districts, the poll bodes well for their re-election chances.
— Independents are split over lawmakers’ efforts, 44 percent approve while 46 percent disapprove.
It would make sense that since Republicans control the House and Senate with super-majorities, Utah Democrats don’t think much of the Legislature’s actions.
And they don’t: 75 percent of “strong Democrats” disapprove of the Legislature, only 19 percent approve of them.
Several of the most vulnerable Republican House incumbents are in Salt Lake County — most specifically in West Valley and Kearns areas.
Y2 finds that among all county voters, 42 percent approve of what the Legislature is doing, while 51 percent disapprove. Some concern there for the Republican incumbents.
Democrats also hope to pick up one or two House seats now held by Republicans in Weber County, specifically the Ogden area.
The poll shows that in Weber County, 41 percent approve of the Legislature, while 57 percent disapprove. That could be good news for Democrats running in Weber County state House seats.
Y2 polled 1,096 “likely voters” from the end of August into early September, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent.
