Support for Cuts in State Spending: Adult Prisons (May 2011)

Respondents were asked, "The Texas legislature is currently discussing different ways to reduce state spending in order to address the state's budget shortfall. Please think about the following list of proposals for cutting the budget, and check all of the measures you think should be taken to reduce spending. (Check all that apply)" Response items included: Cut the state's share of primary and secondary education funding; Cut the state's share of higher education funding ; End funding for pre-kindergarten classes; Reduce funding of state grants to college students; Reduce state contributions to teacher and state employee retirement programs; End funding for the children's health insurance program; End state environmental regulation and leave it to the federal government; Cut payments to Medicaid providers like doctors and hospitals; Cut state funding for nursing home care; Close one or more prisons for adults; Close one or more prisons for juveniles; Reduce funding for new highway construction; Reduce funding for border security. Ideology is measured on a scale of 1-7, with 1 corresponding to "extremely liberal", 7 corresponding to "extremely conservative, and 4 corresponding to "in the middle." For the purposes of this table, respondents who placed themselves at or between points 1 and 3 on the scale are considered "liberal," respondents who placed themselves at point 4 on the scale are considered "moderate," and respondents who placed themselves at or between points 5 and 7 on the scale are considered conservative.