Welcome back to the Data for Progress newsletter, your update on our research, blog posts, and memes.

Most Voters Think a Police Officer Murdered George Floyd
In a survey from May 31 to June 1, we asked voters whether they thought George Floyd was murdered by a police officer, or whether the incident constituted an “excessive use of force” (but not murder) or merely a “tragic accident."

We found that Americans — including a majority of both Democrats and Republicans — understand that the first description is correct: Floyd was murdered by a police officer.



We also found that Americans empathize with the protesters. 49 percent agree with the statement that “these sorts of protests will continue unless we solve the root cause of the problem. We need long-term solutions to poverty and violence,” while 37 percent believe that the first priority should be ending the protests by involving more police officers and the national guard.


DFP in Vox: Infrastructure Spending Is Most Popular if the Rich Pay For It
In a new Vox piece, Matthew Yglesias covered exclusive Data for Progress polling showing which methods of financing a big infrastructure deal are most popular — and which ones American voters dislike.

Of the 13 strategies we tested, the wealth tax was clearly the most popular, with 74 percent of voters nationwide in favor. Also popular is a surtax on income over $200,000 and a Real Corporate Profits Tax.



But when the funding is obtained from sources other than affluent individuals and corporate profits, support fades. Paying for a big infrastructure bill with a sales tax or a flat income tax decreases support for infrastructure spending. These have 51 percent and 43 percent support nationwide, compared with 58 percent for the control of the same bill with no funding mechanism stated.

Americans are also less likely to support deficit spending, property taxes, and gas taxes as ways to invest in infrastructure.


Memo: Voters Prefer a Standards and Investment Approach to Climate Change
Three of the most significant climate plans on the table are “cap and trade,” in which companies buy and sell allowances for carbon emissions, a “polluter fee” plan, which would put a price on carbon emissions, and a “standards and investment” approach, in which the government would invest in clean energy jobs to meet climate goals.

In a new memo, we show that a plurality of voters — 44 percent — prefer the “standards and investment” approach, which was the most popular option among both Democrats and Republicans. 32 percent prefer the “polluter fee” approach, while 24 percent favor cap and trade.



Critically, a majority of both Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden primary voters would prefer the “standards and investment” option — each more than double the support of cap and trade.


Memo: The HEROES Act and Progressive Response to the Coronavirus is Popular with Voters
Republican legislators have been largely opposed to the Democrats’ proposed HEROES Act. But despite this partisan conflict, we find in a new memo that after hearing a statement explaining the components of the proposed legislation, a majority of both Democrats and Republicans support it.



In addition to supporting the legislation overall, we find that voters are on board with a slew of other progressive proposals, including: 

• A nationwide moratorium on evictions and foreclosures (71 percent support, 18 percent opposed)

• Grants providing shelter to those experiencing homelessness (71-19)

• Funding for the USPS (64-26)

• Clemency for those convicted of marijuana possession (57-27) 

This support doesn’t wane when costs are factored in. 63 percent of voters said the government should do more to help needy Americans, even if it runs up the debt.

Memo: Securing American Elections in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic
Currently, in preparation for what could be an election where most Americans vote by mail, Senators Amy Klobuchar and Ron Wyden are pushing for a bill to expand early voting and provide states with the capacity to send all voters a mail-in ballot. 

In a new memo, we find that these provisions are overwhelmingly popular. 68 percent of voters support requiring all states to offer 15 days of early voting, and 71 percent support requiring all states to offer vote-by-mail if at least a quarter of states have declared an emergency.




Data Bytes

• The Need for a True Wealth Tax to Support Those Most in Need Due to the Coronavirus: Implementing a wealth tax would greatly expand the U.S. government’s opportunities to provide a comprehensive economic stimulus. In a recent survey, we asked voters if they’d support a one-time 5 percent wealth tax on those with more than $2.5 million in assets, and found a clear, 66-21 margin of support.
  
  
   

• Americans Want to Raise the Poverty Line: The federal poverty line serves as the basis for the provision of government programs like SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, and housing assistance. But the line — currently just $12,760 per year for individuals — is far too low, and doesn’t account for cost of living.
  
  By raising the poverty line, we could allow millions more Americans to benefit from social safety net programs. Our polling finds that even a dramatic, threefold increase of the poverty line to $38,000 is supported by American voters — 56 percent support, 31 percent opposed.
  
  
   

• New Polling Reveals Strong Support for Medicare for Kids: Americans understand that it’s immoral to have a healthcare system where a significant number of children lack health insurance. That’s why Medicare for Kids — which would create a government health plan modeled off Medicare and offer it to Americans under the age of 26 — has 60 percent support and 32 percent opposition nationwide.
  
  
   

From The Blog
New Polling Reveals Strong Support for Medicare for Kids
DFP Coronavirus Response Tracking Poll Week 6
Americans Want to Raise the Poverty Line
Voters Have Mixed Opinions About America’s Party System
DFP Coronavirus Response Tracking Poll Week 7
Most Voters Think a Police Officer Murdered George Floyd


Memos
Memo: The Need for a True Wealth Tax to Support Those Most in Need Due to the Coronavirus
Memo: The HEROES Act and Progressive Response to the Coronavirus is Popular with Voters
Memo: New York Voters Support Providing Equal Pay Protections for All Workers
Memo: Joe Biden's 2020 Housing Policy
Memo: Voters Prefer a Standards and Investment Approach to Climate Change
Memo: Voters Across the Political Spectrum Support a Host of Progressive Reforms
Memo: The State of the Democratic Primary in NY-15


Media Hits
The Political Message That Can Carry Democrats Through the Pandemic @Literary Hub
The federal government fiddles as covid-19 ravages Native Americans @Washington Post
Americans take a dim view of raiding their Social Security to cover pandemic expenses, poll finds @CNBC
Voters Overwhelmingly Oppose the Social Security Cutting “Eagle Plan” @Social Security Works
A huge boost in infrastructure spending is very popular — if rich people pay for it @Vox
Joe Biden has a chance to make history on climate change @Vox
How B.C.'s Indigenous communities are facing climate change, and creating solutions @CBC
The vital missing piece of the Democrats’ stimulus bill @Vox


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