Public Strategies, Inc. and POLITICO Launch Public Trust Monitor; Quarterly Poll Measures Confidence in Government and Business

14 January 2009
Posted in Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

First Survey Shows Voters Think Government and Business Must Re-Earn Public's Trust; Support Strong for New Government Regulation

January 14, 2009 (AUSTIN, Texas) — Public Strategies, Inc., (also known as PSI) and POLITICO today unveil a new quarterly survey that will establish an important ongoing public benchmark of the voting public's trust in private and public-sector institutions. The PSI-POLITICO Public Trust Monitor is designed to provide public policy leaders and corporate decision-makers two vital tools: a snapshot of how the public perceives their performance, and a measure of how such attitudes change over time.

"The Public Trust Monitor will provide vital, quantifiable information to those operating at the intersection of the public and private sectors," said Jeff Eller, president and CEO of Public Strategies, Inc., a business advisory firm. "Shifts in public opinion are often the lynchpin for corporate and government decision-makers, and this survey will provide timely information about public attitudes, as well as a way to track how those opinions change over time."

The initial survey shows that American voters enter the new year with little confidence in either government or business to solve the nation's problems, but they are very receptive to more government regulation of the nation's business community.

Among the survey's key findings:

• Identical percentages of registered voters (62%) say their confidence in government and in the business community has fallen over the past year.
• A plurality — 45% — choose "an economic stimulus package that will employ out-of-work Americans" over other issues as the government's most important task in the next 12 months.
• As their preferred means of stimulus, 46% choose "direct spending on infrastructure programs" over "investments in corporations to protect existing jobs" or allowing the business cycle to run its course.
• More than seven in 10 think American business is on the wrong track, and 67% think federal regulation of businesses should be increased.
• At the same time, nearly one in two Americans — 49% — worry that the federal government will "go too far" in providing assistance to corporations.

"This survey makes clear that in the eyes of voters, both government and business face challenges related to their reputations heading into 2009, and as a result, both have great opportunities to regain the public trust going forward," said Mark McKinnon, vice chairman of Public Strategies, Inc. "The public wants action from the government in the regulatory sphere, but, given the low levels of confidence expressed both in government and business, those who take leadership roles in helping craft solutions to the nation's difficulties are likely to see their reputations improve."

Survey Methodology: Public Strategies, Inc., conducted an online survey of 1,000 registered voters between Dec. 17-21, 2008. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent.

To View The Survey: Go to www.publicstrategiesptm.com

About Public, Strategies, Inc.
Public Strategies, Inc. is a business advisory firm that serves a diverse clientele including some of the world's largest and best-known corporations, nonprofit organizations, associations and professional firms. Much of its practice involves managing high-stakes campaigns for corporate clients, anticipating and responding to crises. It helps forward-thinking companies assess public opinion and risk, and develops strategies that affect perception and systems for managing uncertainty. For more information visit www.pstrategies.com

About POLITICO
POLITICO is a Washington-based political journalism organization that distributes its content via the Internet, newspaper, television and radio. Its coverage includes Congress, the White House, Washington lobbying and campaigns. POLITICO and POLITICO.com launched in January 2007 with the mission of covering politics with enterprise, style and impact. POLITICO is a publication of Capitol News Company LLC.

Contacts:
Public Strategies, Inc.
Dick Keil
Direct: 202-354-8232
Mobile: 202-251-4470
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POLITICO
Kim Kingsley
Direct: 703-647-7699
Mobile: 202-731-3028
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