What's in a name?

[yallerdawg]

Is this even possible!?

Poll: Likely Republican voters say they support modest tax hikes over cuts to vital state services

The Republican legislature is in called special session to pass 2016 state budgets by October 1. The present shortfall will require 5-10% budget cuts to every function of Alabama government, an already barebones entity.

Some unexpected 'highlights' of poll:

Some 68 percent said they are opposed to cutting state dollars to Medicaid with 29 percent in support of such cuts. Medicaid is a federal and state health care program for mostly poor families and individuals who without it would have no health care. In Alabama over one million people are enrolled in the program, just over 20 percent of the state's total population that depends on it for care.

20% of state population on Medicaid! And the state has not adopted the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion!

Just over 92 percent said they oppose closing 20 state parts due to budget cuts with 11 percent favoring the closings. Those are the same numbers who oppose and support a reduction in the number of state troopers on roads due to possible budget cuts.

Yes! The state anticipated permanently closing 17 state parks! Too much for even Republicans?

One particularly interesting set of numbers found 62 percent of likely GOP voters saying they would rather Republican lawmakers vote to raise taxes on cigarettes, soft drinks and close the loophole that allows some Alabamians to deduct their federal income tax from their state taxes rather than cut funding to Medicaid, preventive health care programs or cut funding to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management or ADEM. Just 21 percent said they would rather see the cuts.

Yes! Yes, that's right! Keep state environmental agency!

In summing up its findings, the Public Opinion Strategies writes:

"Given a series of difficult choices, Republican primary voters in Alabama opt for revenue increases over spending cuts to important programs. While voters – particularly Republican – prefer spending cuts to tax increases in concept, they often balk at the specific cuts that will have to be made. So it is in this situation as well."

Is this the proverbial light at the end of a cold, dark tunnel?

Or just another ineffective push before Alabama enters another level of Republican hell?