Business

74% Oppose Making Minimum Wage Different for Different Age Groups

Americans recognize that more minimum-wage fast-food jobs are now being held by workers who are over 20, but while they favor raising the minimum wage, they don’t think that wage should be even higher for those who are older. 

Just 33% of American Adults believe the average age range of employees in fast-food restaurants is under 20. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% recognize that the average age of these workers is now 20 to 29. Nine percent (9%) think it’s even higher.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on July 29-30, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

61% Favor Raising Minimum Wage to $10.10 An Hour

Most Americans don't think it's possible to live on the current minimum wage of $7.25 an hour and favor raising it dramatically. They also believe the minimum wage should continue to rise to keep up with inflation even though they don't necessarily see that as good for the economy.

Just 10% of American Adults believe the current minimum wage is a wage someone can live on, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Seventy-seven percent (77%) say the minimum wage is not enough to live on. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on July 29-30, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

56% Say More Competition, Less Regulation Better For Financial System

Most voters still view the federal bailouts of the financial industry negatively and continue to believe less government is better for the nation’s banking system. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely U.S. Voters  think that the federal government’s bailouts of the financial industry were bad for the United States. Twenty-eight percent (28%) think the bailouts were good for the country, while 21% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 24-25, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology. 

55% Think Some States May Be Declaring Bankruptcy Soon

Following news of Detroit’s bankruptcy filing, most Americans believe some states are likely to do the same soon. They're more supportive, too, of letting states declare bankruptcy if they can't pay their bills.

Fifty-five percent (55%) of American Adults believe that it’s at least somewhat likely that some states will file for bankruptcy in the near future, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 34% view this as unlikely. This includes 27% who consider it Very Likely that there will be states declaring bankruptcy soon and just five percent (5%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 21-22, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted.

37% Consider Now a Good Time To Sell Home Locally, 40% Disagree

Americans’ confidence in the housing market continues to grow, but belief that a home is a family's best investment is still down.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) of American Adults feel that now is a good time for someone in their area to sell a home, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Forty percent (40%) disagree. Twenty-three percent (23%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on July 23-24, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports.  The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

55% Say Their Home Value Worth More Than What They Still Owe

Just over half of U.S. homeowners still say their home is worth more than what they owe on it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of American Homeowners say their home is worth more than the amount they still owe on their mortgage. That’s up from 50% a month ago but is still down from a high of 61% in December 2008. Thirty-three percent (33%) say they owe more than their home is worth. That's down from a high of 42% and consistent with surveying for nearly a year now. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 640 Homeowners was conducted on July 23-24, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

New Low: 12% Think Their Home Will Be Worth Less in a Year

Fewer homeowners than ever now expect their home to be worth less in a year’s time.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 12% of U.S. Homeowners think the value of their home will go down over the next year. That's down from 14% last month and the lowest finding since Rasmussen Reports began regularly tracking on this question in April 2009.  Thirty-four percent (34%) think their home’s value will be higher a year from now, consistent with findings for much of this year. Fifty-one percent (51%) think their home’s value will remain about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter orFacebook.

The survey of 640 Homeowners nationwide was conducted on July 23-24, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports.  The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted byPulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

25% Favor Federal Bailouts for Ailing Cities Like Detroit

A federal judge yesterday cleared the way for Detroit’s bankruptcy to move ahead, and Americans strongly believe other major cities will soon be following the same path. But most are opposed to federal bailouts for these financially troubled cities.

Seventy-four percent (74%) of American Adults think it is at least somewhat likely that more major cities will file for bankruptcy in the near future, including 44% who say it is Very Likely. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 19% consider other municipal bankruptcies unlikely in the short term, but only one percent (1%) view it as Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 21-22, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

62% Think Government Should Cut Spending to Help Economy

Most voters still see less government spending as good for the economy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of Likely U.S. Voters now think the government should cut spending in reaction to the nation’s economic problems. But that's down from 65% last month and the lowest level of support for reduced spending since last August. Still, voters aren't enthusiastic about more government spending: Just 23% think the government should spend more in response to the struggling economy. That's consistent with regular surveys for more than a year now. Fifteen percent (15%) are not sure which is a better option. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

Win an iPad:  A new Rasmussen Challenge starts today!

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The national survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on July 18-19, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Like Coal Industry More Than the EPA

Voters view the U.S. coal industry more favorably than the Environmental Protection Agency and are closely divided when asked if the Obama administration’s ultimate goal is to kill that industry.

Fifty-one percent (51%) of Likely U.S. Voters view the U.S. coal industry at least somewhat favorably. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 29% hold an unfavorable opinion of it. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 14-15, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

85% Think Christian Photographer Has Right to Turn Down Same-Sex Wedding Job

Americans draw a fine line when it comes to respecting each other’s rights. If a Christian wedding photographer who has deeply held religious beliefs opposing same-sex marriage is asked to work a same-sex wedding ceremony, 85% of American Adults believe he has the right to say no. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only eight percent (8%) disagree even as the courts are hearing such challenges. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 7-8, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Think Bar Owners, Landlords Should Be Able to Pick Their Customers

Most Americans believe bar owners and landlords should have the freedom to regulate their establishments to attract a specific type of customer. If the owner of a bar wanted to avoid some of the problems associated with college and under-age drinking, 53% of American Adults think that owner should have the right to allow only people 25 and older into his or her bar. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% disagree, while 13% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 7-8, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

54% Think It's Possible for Anyone to Find A Job

Most Americans continue to think it’s possible for anyone who wants to work to find a job in this country, but they also remain pessimistic about the future for today's children. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults believe it’s possible for anyone who really wants to work to find a job. That's little changed from late April but matches a high reached only once before in over four years of regular surveying. Thirty-four percent (34%) disagree.  Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on June 27-28, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

33% Expect Stronger Economy A Year From Now, 41% Weaker

Americans continue to have more hope for the economy five years from now than in the short-term.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that just 33% think the U.S. economy will be stronger in a year's time, generally in line with surveys for the past several months. Forty-one percent (41%) still believe the economy will be weaker one year from now, up slightly from 38% in March but down from a recent high of 50% last November.  Twenty percent (20%) expect the economy to stay about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

13% Say Federal Government Should Hire Long-Term Unemployed

Americans continue to believe the government should minimize its role in the long-term unemployment situation. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 13% of American Adults say if people cannot find work after an extended period of time, the federal government should hire them.  Eleven percent (11%) believes their unemployment benefits should be extended indefinitely. But 31% feel the government should only pay for their retraining, while 34% think the government should do nothing at all for the long-term unemployed. Eleven percent (11%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 29-30, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

71% Say Private Sector Employees Work Harder Than Government Employees

Americans continue to believe private sector workers work harder for less money and have less job security than government workers do.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 71% of American Adults think workers in the private sector work harder than government workers, the highest finding to date. That’s up from 67% in February. Just five percent (5%) think government employees work harder, but one-in-four (24%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 29-30, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology. 

66% Know Someone Out of Work and Looking For Employment

The bad news is that two-out-of-three Americans still know someone who is out of work and looking for a job. The good news is that the percentage of these Americans is at its lowest level in several years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 66% of American Adults know someone who is out of work and looking for a job. That's down three points from 69% last month. Two years ago, 75% knew someone in this situation.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 29-30, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

35% Say Now Is A Good Time to Sell A House in Their Area

Even though an increasing number of Americans think now is a good time to sell a home in their area, belief that owning a home is a family’s best investment is down.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 47% of American Adults believe buying a home is the best investment a family can make. That’s down from 53% in May and is the lowest level measured since July 2012. Twenty-seven percent (27%) think a home is not a family's best investment, and just as many (28%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard .

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on June 25-26, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports.  The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

24% Say Their Home is Worth Less Than When They Bought It

Most homeowners still say their home is worth more than when they bought it, but one-in-four now say it’s worth less.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of U.S. Homeowners say that, compared to when they bought it, their home is now worth more. That’s down from 58% in April which tied the highest level measured since October 2011. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 24% say their home is now worth less than when they bought it, up from 20% in April and the highest since October. Eighteen percent (18%) say their home is worth about the same as when they bought it. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard .

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 708 Homeowners nationwide was conducted on June 25-26, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports.  The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

37% Expect Their Home To Be Worth More A Year From Now

The number of homeowners who say their home is worth more than what they still owe is down this month, but confidence in the short-term housing market remains higher than it has been in several years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 50% of U.S. homeowners now say their home is worth more than they still owe on their mortgage. That’s down 10 points from 60% in May which was the highest finding so far this year and tied a high reached only once before in four years of regular surveying.   Thirty-three percent (33%) still say they owe more than their home is worth, generally consistent with regular surveying since April 2009. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 708 Homeowners nationwide was conducted on June 25-26, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports.  The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.