Poll: Marylanders weigh in on state economy, Gov. Moore’s performance

The new University of Maryland, Baltimore County poll released Tuesday morning has found that Marylanders have mixed views on the state’s economy.

Of the 803 Maryland adults surveyed between Feb. 11 and 15, 38% said the state’s economy was “fair.” Another 29% said they rate the state’s overall economic condition as “poor.” And 31% said the economy is in “good” or “excellent” condition.

Most respondents, or 52%, said they approve of the job Gov. Wes Moore is doing. Forty percent disapprove.

A strong majority, or 63%, said they prefer a state income tax system in which people with higher incomes pay a higher tax rate. Thirty percent said they prefer a system in which people pay the same tax rate regardless of their income.

When it comes to the state’s $3 billion budget deficit, 45% said they want it addressed by a combination of spending cuts and increases in taxes and fees. Thirty-seven percent want the budget deficit addressed only or mostly with spending cuts to state government programs.

Only 12% want the budget deficit addressed only or mostly with increasing some taxes and fees.

Another strong majority, or 61%, of respondents said the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the federal workforce will have a “mostly negative impact” on Maryland. Another 24% said it will have a “mostly positive impact” on the state. Ten percent said they believe it will have “no real impact.”

The UMBC Institute of Politics will release Part 2 of this survey on Wednesday, Feb. 26th and Part 3 on Thursday, February 27th.

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