It also won majority support in each of Nebraska's three congressional districts, including 51 percent in the 3rd District, representing the largest geographic region of the state.

A quarter of the 600 randomly selected registered voters surveyed by phone in July, largely identifying themselves as Republicans, said Nebraska's elected leaders should continue to curb spending instead of raising taxes to balance the state budget, which is required by law.

Richters said while a majority of those polled said taxes should be raised to balance the state's budget and fund policies that benefit the middle class, respondents overwhelmingly believed they paid their fair share in taxes, or about their fair share.

Almost 60 percent of those surveyed believed big corporations pay less than their fair share of taxes, while 54 percent believe the wealthiest Nebraskans do not fairly contribute to the state's tax base.

Those feelings were also reflected in Nebraskans' perceptions about state government, Richters said.

While 55 percent of respondents are "broadly satisfied" with the overall direction of state government, including Gov. Pete Ricketts and the Legislature, the Holland Children's Institute poll said that "may be more a product of low expectations than real satisfaction."