A recent survey conducted by Public Policy Polling shows a majority of Louisianians are in favor of enacting a $10 state minimum wage, legalizing medical marijuana and recognizing domestic partnerships for gay couples.
University political science professor Robert Kirby Goidel acknowledged public opinion in Louisiana is moving in the direction of the poll, but stressed not to place too much importance on the results.
“What really matters is not opinion in a poll, but what voters do in an election context,” Goidel said.
Sam Gordy, environmental engineering freshman, said he was in favor of the legalization of medical marijuana, but disagreed with the majority of Louisianians when it came to minimum wage, saying a $10 minimum wage would only make prices go up.
The survey’s results concerning minimum wage came weeks after President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address, in which he said he would issue an executive order requiring federal contractors to pay their federally funded employees at least $10.10 an hour.
The results of the survey did not bode well for Gov. Bobby Jindal, whose approval rating in the poll only reached 35 percent, with more than half disapproving. Additionally, only 37 percent of Louisiana’s Republican primary voters polled want him to run for president.
James Roberts, anthropology junior, said he was not surprised by Jindal’s polling results, and the state’s negative perception surrounding the governor is nothing new.
“I don’t think anyone is in favor of anyone in the government right now,” said Stephen Piglia, petroleum engineering freshman.
“What really matters is not opinion in a poll, but what voters do in an election context.”