Politics & Government
State Fair Poll Results Show Minnesotans Split on Fireworks, Other Issues
47.8 percent of Minnesotans want to be able to purchase more powerful fireworks, while 45 oppose the idea.
Between eating deep fried Twinkies and avoiding contracting the swine flu, 9,000 attendees of The Minnesota State Fair took time from their busy eating schedule to take part in a non-scientific and nonpartisan poll from the House Public Information Services Office to help collect data and public opinion on issues discussed in prior legislative sessions that may be on the itinerary for 2013
Although the survey asked participants a number of questions on a variety of topics (including issues as wide and diverse as child custody disputes and the stand your ground laws), the one most likely to have an impact on next year’s session is the nearly even split between those in favor and those opposed to a bill that Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed earlier this year that would expand the kinds of consumer fireworks available to purchase in Minnesota.
47.8 percent of polltakers thought that firework restrictions should be loosened, while a very close 45 percent were against the idea. Seven percent were undecided or had no opinion. Currently, only fireworks like sparklers, snakes, and party poppers are allowed in the state.
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Elsewhere, voters were also split on imposing a sales tax on digital items such as books, movies, and music that are downloaded legally from the Internet. 47 percent were in favor of the tax, while 44. 6 percent were against it.
Less divisive was the topic of whether or not schools should be authorized to use performance evaluations over seniority in making teacher layoff decisions. 72 percent agreed with the proposition, while an overwhelming 93 percent agreed that employers should not be allowed to require employees to provide their social media passwords as a condition of employment.
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Other issues included selling liquor on Sundays (63 percent in favor), being required to wear helmets on motorcycles (69.9 percent in favor), and whether or not a higher legislative threshold should be enacted before getting constitutional amendments put on a voting ballot.
The rest of the results can be found here.
Meanwhile, feel free to sound off on any of these issues in the comment section.