New Survey of Texas District 5 Voters Shows Support for Dollar Bill and Dislike of Dollar Coin
March 15 2012 - 10:02AM
Business Wire
A new poll, released today, of voters in Texas’ 5th
congressional district reveals people’s preference for the dollar
bill and disapproval of the dollar coin. While Rep. Jeb Hensarling
is co-sponsoring legislation to abandon the dollar bill in favor of
the dollar coin (H.R. 2977: COINS Act), the poll shows that voters
in the district disagree with his position on the issue and suggest
there are better ways for the government to address the federal
budget deficit.
The survey, conducted by Lincoln Park Strategies, an independent
public opinion research firm, found that:
- 82 percent of voters in Texas’ 5th
district oppose removing the dollar bill from circulation and
replacing it with a dollar coin (as suggested by the COINS Act);
while 62 percent hold strong opposition to the idea
- 82 percent of those polled feel the
dollar coin is unnecessary
- 80 percent say the dollar coin is
unwanted
- 81 percent feel the dollar bill is more
convenient to carry and use than the dollar coin
- 72 percent say the dollar bill is more
American than the dollar coin
“Sentiments against the dollar coin are strong across Dallas and
the rest of the country,” said Stefan Hankin, president of Lincoln
Park Strategies. “Our research shows people’s resistance to the
dollar coin spans from everyday usage to the feeling that
politicians should be spending their time on more important
issues.”
Unlike most issues in the country, support for keeping the
dollar bill reaches across partisan and demographic groups. In the
5th district, the poll finds that 77 percent of Democrats, 84
percent of Republicans and 82 percent of Independents oppose the
COINS Act proposition. Voters feel strongly enough about this issue
that 52 percent say they would be less likely to support a
candidate who favored replacing the dollar bill with the dollar
coin.
The survey reveals that Texas voters are looking for a balanced
approach to addressing the federal budget deficit but feel moving
to a dollar coin is not the solution. While the COINS Act suggests
potential savings from a switch to the dollar coin, 51 percent of
voters say it would have a negative effect on the economy and 34
percent feel there would be no impact at all.
Despite claims from supporters of the COINS Act, previous
studies have shown there are no short- or long-term savings
associated with dumping the dollar bill for the dollar coin. An
independent economic study conducted by John Dunham &
Associates in November 2011 found that a transition to dollar coins
would increase annual costs to private businesses by $202 million
and lead to thousands of job losses. This in addition to other
capital expenses - new cash registers, change counting machines,
cash drawers, larger safes, etc. - and costs to banks, money
transfer companies and other financial firms.
“The federal budget and economy are facing hard times and this
is when we need our government representatives to stand up for
programs that will make a difference we need,” said Randy DeCleene,
spokesperson for Americans for George. “Leave the dollar bill alone
and move on to more important issues.”
About Americans for George
The Americans for George Coalition is a group of like-minded
individuals, businesses and organizations seeking to ensure that
the citizens of the United States maintain the ability to choose
their preferred currency. The members of the coalition oppose
efforts to eliminate the dollar bill and replace it with a dollar
coin. For more information, please visit
www.americansforgeorge.org.