New polling shows strong support for PERS reforms

New polling shows strong support for the PERS reforms proposed in ballot initiatives filed recently by former Governor Ted Kulongoski and former State Senator Chris Telfer. The statewide survey, conducted in April by DHM Research, shows better than 2:1 support overall, and 2:1 margins of strong support over strong opposition for each of the core concepts proposed in Initiative Petitions 22, 23 and 24:

• Voters support replacing the current PERS system with a 401(k)-style plan, supported by equal employer and employee contributions of 6% of pay, by a margin of 72% in favor to 19% opposed.
• Voters also support requiring public employees to contribute 6% of their salaries to help pay for their pension benefits by a margin of 68% in favor to 22% opposed.