Public Services - Spring 2004

Taxes may be a source of dissatisfaction, but state and local services offer good value. More than eight out of ten people say they are very or somewhat satisfied with the services they get for their police and fire protection dollars. Three out of five are satisfied with the services they get for the state tax dollars. All of the people who think Wisconsin is a special place to live say that Wisconsin has good local public services. More than three fourths of these respondents say that good local public services such as police and fire protection contribute a great deal to making this state special.
 

How satisfied are you with the services you get for your fire and police protection dollars? While major services purchased with tax dollars are considered a good value by most people living in Wisconsin, local police and fire protection services earn the highest satisfaction ratings.
How much do public services such as fire and police protection contribute to making Wisconsin a special place to live?* Among the 49% of people who define Wisconsin as special, three fourths think that good local services contribute a great deal to that image.
Would good public services such as fire and police protection make Wisconsin a more special place to live?* For those who don’t think the state is special, 45% say that good local services would make the state much more special. Local services has the fourth highest effect on perceptions of Wisconsin among this population, after good public schools (49%), good job opportunities for young people (54%),and good job opportunities for “people like you” (48%).
How much would each item enhance your quality of life at work? While respondents express satisfaction with government services, 69% of workers think that less government regulation would contribute a great deal (36%) or somewhat (33%) to the quality of their lives at work.