In his latest column, Business Report Publisher Rolfe McCollister says what you might have learned about the recently released 2015 Louisiana Survey may have been influenced by where you read about it.
“The headlines and conclusions were all over the place—and some were just plain misleading,” writes McCollister, adding he would encourage legislators to get their own copy of the survey and review it themselves. “Perhaps the blame for this confusion should be shared by those in the media who were careless—or had an agenda—and those in the public who responded to poll questions based on bad information or mistaken perceptions.”
The survey of 980 Louisiana residents was conducted by the LSU Public Policy Research Lab and sponsored by the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs at LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication. Michael Henderson now heads it.
“The survey last week released data about views on taxes and spending cuts in the state budget. But if you compare the knee-jerk, abstract views expressed on general questions to the specific questions and responses on ‘which taxes?’ and ‘what cuts?’ you will realize the public view is contradictory,” McCollister writes. “That’s why the front-page headline The Advocate ran was inadequate. It read, ‘Survey: Most OK with some tax hikes.’”
McCollister says that while it is true that a majority said tax increases should be part of the budget shortfall solution, the detailed questions show The Advocate’s headline is just plain wrong. “In fact, no tax surveyed had a majority supporting it, not even an increased tax on cigarettes, which was supported by 50% of respondents,” he writes. “I contacted Henderson about the tax questions, and he said, ‘If all you say is that most support raising taxes, you’re missing a fundamental part of the story.’”
McCollister notes the story by The Times-Picayune on NOLA.com had a different take on taxes and was more accurate.
“The headline said, ‘Don’t tax me, tax the guy behind the tree: how Louisiana residents want to solve budget crisis, according to study,’” he writes. “This story explains in the opening paragraph that the majority favoring taxes in general is large, ‘as long as no specific proposals are put before them.’ There is the kicker.”
So, what does the survey say and what does the public actually want?
“Henderson told me he felt the conclusion from the survey, after seeing what folks wanted and what they are willing to pay for specifically, was the public wants ‘something for nothing,’” McCollister writes. “Henderson told me he almost has sympathy for the Legislature, as the public wants more but is not giving the Legislature many options.”
Read the full column, in which McCollister also raises questions about the dual roles of LSU journalism professor Bob Mann, who is also a columnist for The Times-Picayune, and the potential conflicts it poses. Send your comments to editors@businessreport.com.
