Publication date: January 24, 2022
Written by: Stefani Buhajla
The Center for Excellence in Polling recently surveyed likely Missouri voters to gauge their opinions on unemployment programs and workforce issues.
A majority of voters support bolstering the state’s work search requirements for individuals receiving unemployment benefits, including state-sponsored training or activities that lead directly to employment (68%). More than half of all likely voters support establishing a mandatory state-based job referral system to help move Missourians back into the workforce (66%).
There is also broad support for easing occupational licensing restrictions. More than half of all Republicans (62%), Democrats (61%), and Independents (60%) support requiring the state to periodically review all Missouri occupational licensing requirements to determine whether they are still needed or beneficial.
Further, a majority of likely Missouri voters (69%)—including slightly more Democrats (70%) than Republicans (69%)—support allowing new Missouri medical professionals with active licenses in good standing in another state to be granted the same license in Missouri so long as they pay any required fees and pass background checks.