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CHICAGO | Wed Feb 23, 2011 3:46pm EST - Most Americans oppose laws that would take away the collective bargaining power of public employee unions, as has been proposed in Wisconsin, Ohio and other states, according to a USA Today/Gallup Poll released on Wednesday.
The poll found that 61% would oppose a law in their state similar to the proposal currently sparking
The poll also found Americans about evenly split over reducing or eliminating government programs, with 48% opposing such cuts while 47% favored them.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has said that he wants public union members to pay more for health care and pension benefits, to address a $3.6 billion budget deficit over the next two years.
Union leaders have said they would accept the cuts but object to Walker's additional move to limit collective bargaining rights.
(Writing by Mary Wisniewski, Editing by Peter Bohan)
© 2010 Thomson Reuters.
