Surveys: Most Floridians Want Pension Reform, Not Scared of Nuclear Power

Two new polls from Viewpoint Florida, a public opinion polling firm, show that Sunshine State citizens aren't shying away from the idea of nuclear power, despite ominous news from Japan, and are eager to see reforms to state worker pensions.

According to their energy poll, 71 percent of likely voters consider nuclear power "pretty safe" or "very safe." Only 25 percent of those polled thought nuclear power was "not very safe" or "not safe at all." The poll surveyed 807 likely Florida voters with a margin of error of 3.5 percent.

In the pension poll, 75 percent of respondents said they favor a 5 percent pension contribution level for state workers. Gov. Rick Scott has called for a 5 percent contribution level, but legislation in the House currently contains a 3 percent giveback, and the Senate bill has a tiered approach with some lower-paid workers contributing 2 percent and other higher-paid workers contributing 4 percent. That poll included 811 likely voters with a margin of error of 3.5 percent.