Don't Believe Trump's
Hype:
Regulations Do Work for
Business!
March 21, 2017

BRYAN MCGANNON, DIRECTOR OF POLICY, ASBC
Bryan McGannon’s political campaign experience spans
presidential campaigns, congressional races, and local
ballot initiatives. In addition, Bryan has nearly a decade
of experience in Washington, D.C. in advocacy roles.
Bryan holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University
of California, San Diego.
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CELINDA LAKE, FOUNDER, LAKE PARTNERS
Celinda Lake is a leading American political strategist and
one of the nation's foremost experts on electing women
candidates and on framing issues to women voters.
Working Woman says she is "arguably the most influential
woman in her field." She is renowned for her
groundbreaking research on single women voters in
conjunction with Women's Voices Women Vote and has
helped elect numerous female candidates.
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ATTITUDES TOWARD
REGULATIONS

Darker colors indicate intensity
*Asked to ½ of the respondents
Q14-17: Now I'd like to ask you about some public figures or institutions. For each, please tell me whether you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable,
somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable impression. If you haven't heard of the person, or if you don't know enough about that person to have an
impression, just say so and we will move on.
64
58
41
44
21
29
39
24
24
18
17
15
9
12
19
11
Rules*
Regulations*
Enforcement of regulations*
Standards*
Unfavorable
Net NO/NH
+43 14/1
Favorability Ratings
Favorable
+29 13/0
+2 17/3
+20 28/4
Despite claims that the public does not view regulations favorably,
these data provide a very different picture: a solid majority view
“rules” and “regulations” favorably.

SEVEN-IN-TEN VOTERS, INCLUDING COMMANDING MAJORITIES
OF EVERY MAJOR SUBGROUP, BELIEVE THAT INCREASED
ENFORCEMENT OF THE NATION’S LAWS AND REGULATIONS IS A
GOOD THING.
Darker colors indicate intensity.
*Asked to ½ of sample
Perception of Increased Enforcement of National Laws and Regulations*
Q27. Generally speaking, do you think that increased enforcement of our national laws and regulations is a good thing or a bad thing? [IF
GOOD/BAD] And do you feel that way strongly, or not-so strongly?
71
14
3
49
Good Bad Don't
know
All Voters
70
71
79
73
63
63
72
76
66
70
71
16
12
10
8
19
15
16
14
9
0
12
14
45
52
53
57
38
48
44
54
46
49
48
Men
Women
Democrats
Indpendent/Don’t know
Republicans
Northeast
Midwest
South
West
Small business employees
Not small business employees
Bad Good

VOTERS EXPRESS NEAR-UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FOR INCREASED ENFORCEMENT
OF LAWS AND REGULATIONS REGARDLESS OF THE WORDS USED TO DESCRIBE
ENFORCEMENT. WHILE INTENSITY FOR “TOUGHER” ENFORCEMENT DROPS, IT IS
STILL ABOVE 50% AND DRAWS THE SUPPORT OF THREE-QUARTERS OF VOTERS.
Darker colors indicate intensity.
*Asked to ¼ of sample
**Combined results from Q23-26
Q: Do you agree or disagree with this statement: we need [INSERT WORD] enforcement of our laws and regulations in the U.S.? And do you
feel that way strongly or not-so strongly.
87
11
72
Agree Disagree
Combined**
Enforcement of our Laws and Regulations
74
2152
Agree Disagree
Tougher*
87
8
78
Agree Disagree
Fairer, more equal*
90
8
79
Agree Disagree
Commonsense*
94
4
80
Agree Disagree
Proper*

December Battleground Poll conducted by Lake Research Partners and the Tarrance Group. Conducted December 8th –
11th among 1,000 likely voters. Margin of error +/- 3.1%.
8
50 43
Fairer and tougher enforcement Fewer burdensome regulations Both/Don't Know
Some people say we need fairer and tougher
enforcement of regulations in the U.S. to protect
American workers and families and to give the little guys,
including small businesses, a fair chance to compete
Other people say that we need fewer burdensome
government regulations because these regulations only
work to make things more difficult for small businesses
and individuals to create jobs and economic growth
OTHER POLLING DATA CONFIRMS THAT VOTERS FAVOR ENFORCEMENT AND
REGULATIONS THAT CREATE A FAIR PLAYING FIELD. VOTERS BELIEVE THE
GOVERNMENT HAS A ROLE TO PLAY PROTECTING AMERICAN WORKERS AND
PROVIDING SMALL BUSINESSES A CHANCE TO COMPETE.

Darker colors indicate intensity
*Asked to ½ of sample
Q7-13: Now I'd like to ask you about some public figures or institutions. For each, please tell me whether you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable,
somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable impression. If you haven't heard of the person, or if you don't know enough about that person to have an
impression, just say so and we will move on.
57
58
58
52
55
55
36
17
26
31
33
18
25
18
26
21
19
19
18
18
11
6
11
15
18
7
11
7
Occupational Safety and Health Administration*
The United States Department of Agriculture*
The Food and Drug Administration*
The U.S. Environmantal Protection Agency
The Consumer Product Safety Commission*
The National Highway Transportation Safety
Administration*
The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau*
+40
Unfavorable
Net NO/NH
+32 16/1
Favorability Ratings
Favorable
+27
22/5
+19
19/2
+37
VOTERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF SPECIFIC GOVERNMENT REGULATORY AGENCIES ARE BY-AND-
LARGE POSITIVE, WITH MAJORITIES OF VOTERS—INCLUDING MAJORITIES OF REPUBLICANS—
EXPRESSING FAVORABLE OPINIONS OF THE FDA, THE USDA, OSHA, THE NHTSA, AND THE
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION.
36/10+18
+30
11/0
14/1
22/4

68
66
71
59
63
57
51
47
51
44
26
26
25
24
23
23
23
22
21
21
Can prevent deadly mistakes,
saving lives
Can protect seniors and children
Can protect against deadly
mistakes, saving lives
Can reduce pollution of our air,
land, and water
Can prevent pollution of our air,
land, and water
Can ensure oversight of dangerous
foreign imports
Can hold big businesses and
corporations accountable
Can force the government to be
accountable
Can force big businesses and
corporations to be accountable
Can prevent the financial markets
from harming the U.S. economy
VOTERS BELIEVE THAT
ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS AND
REGULATIONS CAN BE MOST
EFFECTIVE WHEN IT COMES
TO PROTECTING SENIORS AND
CHILDREN, PREVENTING
DEADLY MISTAKES, AND
REDUCING/PREVENTING
POLLUTION.
VOTERS ARE MORE SKEPTICAL
THAT ENFORCEMENT CAN
HOLD BIG BUSINESS
ACCOUNTABLE, FORCE THE
GOVERNMENT OR
BUSINESSES TO BE
ACCOUNTABLE, OR PREVENT
THE FINANCIAL MARKETS
FROM HARMING THE
ECONOMY.
Very well Very/somewhat well
Regulation – Positive Descriptions (Top Tier)
Net
Persuad.
Very Well
Q29-48. Now, I am going to read you some words and phrases that have been used to describe the enforcement of laws and regulations. Please
tell me how well you think each describes the enforcement of laws and regulations: VERY well, PRETTY well, NOT too well, or not well AT ALL. If
you don't know how well a word or phrase describes the enforcement of laws and regulations, just say so and we'll go on.
+40 31
+36
+46
22
33
+24 16
+29 33
30
24
+22
+7
+7 18
18+7
-7 30

81
76
67
71
67
72
67
67
64
64
56
50
49
49
46
46
44
44
Clean water
The food and drugs imported
from other countries
Government officials
Civil rights
Discrimination
The drugs produced in the
U.S.
Nuclear energy and power
plants
The products that the United
States imports from other
countries
Wall Street banks and the
financial industry
VOTERS SEE A CRITICAL ROLE FOR
ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS AND
REGULATIONS IN A NUMBER OF
AREAS OF AMERICAN LIFE.
STRONG MAJORITIES BELIEVE
ENFORCEMENT IS EXTREMELY
IMPORTANT WHEN IT COMES TO
CLEAN WATER, FOOD AND DRUGS
FROM OTHER COUNTRIES, AND—
AS WE HAVE SEEN IN PREVIOUS
RESEARCH—GOVERNMENT
OFFICIALS.
OTHER AREAS WHERE VOTERS
BELIEVE ENFORCEMENT CAN PLAY
AN IMPORTANT ROLE INCLUDE
CIVIL RIGHTS, DISCRIMINATION,
PHARMACEUTICALS PRODUCED IN
THE U.S., NUCLEAR ENERGY,
IMPORTS AND THE FINANCIAL
INDUSTRY.
Rated 10 Rated 8-10
Importance of Enforcing – First Tier
Mean
Persuad.
Rated 10
Q55-72 Now, I am going to read you a list of entities where enforcement of laws and regulations can take place. For each entity, please tell
me how important you think enforcement of laws and regulations is, using a scale from 0 to 10 with 10 meaning you think enforcement is
extremely important, 0 meaning you think it is not important at all, and 5 meaning you don’t know or are undecided. You can be anywhere
in between. If you’re unsure about a particular item, just say so, and we’ll go on.
8.7 58
8.4
8.0
35
40
8.2 43
41
45
8.1
8.2
8.1 40
388.0
7.9 34

67
73
67
67
59
57
60
52
56
43
42
41
40
39
39
37
34
33
Clean air
The safety of workplaces
The food grown and produced
in the U.S.
Credit card companies
Oil companies
Gas prices
The lending industry
Special interests and lobbyists
The home mortgage industry
A SECOND TIER OF
PRIORITIES FOR
ENFORCEMENT INCLUDES
CLEAN AIR, THE SAFETY
OF WORKPLACES, FOOD
GROWN IN THE UNITED
STATES, AND CREDIT
CARD COMPANIES.
VOTERS PLACE LESS
EMPHASIS ON
ENFORCEMENT WHEN IT
COMES TO OIL
COMPANIES, GAS PRICES,
THE LENDING INDUSTRY,
AND THE HOME
MORTGAGE INDUSTRY.
Rated 10 Rated 8-10
Importance of Enforcing – Second Tier
Mean
Persuad.
Rated 10
Now, I am going to read you a list of entities where enforcement of laws and regulations can take place. For each entity, please tell me how
important you think enforcement of laws and regulations is, using a scale from 0 to 10 with 10 meaning you think enforcement is
extremely important, 0 meaning you think it is not important at all, and 5 meaning you don’t know or are undecided. You can be anywhere
in between. If you’re unsure about a particular item, just say so, and we’ll go on.
7.9 40
8.2
8.1
29
34
7.8 31
29
30
7.7
7.4
7.7 18
247.0
7.4 25

CLEAN ENERGY

VOTERS WANT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND AMERICAN
BUSINESSES ENGAGED IN CLIMATE CHANGE.
How much do you think each should do about climate change: a great deal, some, a little, or not much at all?
The Federal Government State or Local Government American Businesses
A great deal Not much at all
Some A little
48
34
8
9
46
36
9
9
5630
6
7
% A Great Deal
Base 91
Persuasion 46
Opposition 12
% A Great Deal
Base 82
Persuasion 44
Opposition 14
% A Great Deal
Base 88
Persuasion 57
Opposition 12
82% 82% 86%
Source: ecoAmerica survey of 1000 registered voters nationwide. August 12-19, 2016.

AMERICANS STRONGLY FAVOR POLICIES THAT WOULD REDUCE THE POLLUTION THAT
CAUSES CLIMATE CHANGE. THEY PREFER “RULES” TO “GOVERNMENT STEPS”
THOUGH OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORT BOTH, AND STRONGLY SUPPORT FINING
COMPANIES FOR THE POLLUTION THEY CREATE.
Government taking steps to
put limits on the pollution
that causes climate change.
Rules that put limits on the
pollution that causes climate
change.
A proposal to reduce carbon
pollution by imposing a fine
on large companies for the
pollution they create.
49
9
56
7
60
8
72
20
75
20
80
17
Favor Oppose Favor Oppose Favor Oppose
Not so strongly favor Not so strongly oppose
Strongly favor Strongly oppose
Do you favor or oppose:

Source: “Widespread Public Support for Renewable Energy Mandates Despite Proposed Rollbacks”, National Surveys on Energy and Environment, June 2015
As the American electorate grows increasingly concerned with rising global temperatures,
public support for energy industry regulations is on the rise. 74% of Americans believe that
state governments should require a set portion of all electricity to come from renewable
energy sources such as wind and solar power. This support holds steady across race, income,
education level, religion, political, and region of the country, and has been shown to be
strongly linked to the understanding that average global temperatures are getting warmer.

Source: “Public support for regulation of power plant emissions under the Clean Power Plan”, National Surveys on Energy and Environment, January 2015
The majority of Americans back government regulation of greenhouse gases emitted by new
and existing power plants, across party affiliation – Democrats, Republicans, and Independents
all indicate support for federal and state government regulated reductions.
12% 6%
22% 13%
16% 9%
29%
16%
29% 31%
20%
33%
73% 83%
55%
73%
The federal government now requires that any new power plant reduce their greenhouse gas emissions
significantly.
Strongly oppose Somewhat oppose Somewhat support Strongly support
12% 7%
21%
12%
21%
14%
30%
19%
30% 35%
24%
33%
67%
76%
60%
67%
The federal government has introduced a Clean Power Plan that is designed to reduce greenhouse
gases from existing power plants. It gives each state flexibility in deciding how to reduce these
emissions through negotiations with the federal government.
Strongly oppose Somewhat oppose Somewhat support Strongly support
O V E R A L L
O V E R A L L D E M O C R A T S
D E M O C R A T S
R E P U B L I C A N S
R E P U B L I C A N S
I N D E P E N D E N T S
I N D E P E N D E N T S

Source: “Public support for regulation of power plant emissions under the Clean Power Plan”, National Surveys on Energy and Environment, January 2015
Americans have clear preferences on how the government should reduce power plant
emissions. In large numbers, they support 1) Requiring a set portion of all electricity to come
from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, and 2) Requiring increased energy
efficiency standards for new homes and appliances. They are less enthusiastic about
increasing taxes on fossil fuels and cap and trade.
M a j o r i t y
S U P P O R T
M a j o r i t y
S U P P O R T
M a j o r i t y
O P P O S E
P l u ra l i t y
O P P O S E

HEALTH CARE & PRESCRIPTION DRUG
PRICES

MOST AMERICANS FAVOR POLICY CHANGES TO LOWER
DRUG COSTS.
22
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking poll (conducted September 14-20, 2016)

PEOPLE STRONGLY SUPPORT PLACING REGULATIONS ON
PRESCRIPTION DRUG COMPANIES.
23
Source: Lake Research Partners online survey of 1,503 adults. May 17-22, 2016.

24
IN THE SEARCH FOR THE RIGHT HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN,
MOST SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS THINK THEY ARE AT A
DISADVANTAGE COMPARED TO LARGE BUSINESSES.
Thinking about the process for finding the right health insurance plan for your business, do you think small and large businesses face the
same challenges equally, or do you think small businesses are at a disadvantage compared to large businesses?
79
16
5
Small businesses are at a
disadvantage
Small and large businesses face
same challenges equally
Not sure
During Process For Finding The Right Health Insurance Plan…
Source: Lake Research Partners online survey of 504 small business owners (September 28-October 4, 2016). Margin of error is +/-4.4%.

25
Proposed Policy Solutions
% Strongly
Agee
% Total
Agree
[PAYING FOR DELAYS] It should be illegal for a drug company to pay
another company that makes generic drugs to delay the release of a
generic drug.
56 88
[TAXES PAY FOR R&D] Prescription drugs that are developed with
taxpayer dollars should be made affordable to every American.
54 90
[REIMPORTATION] Americans should be allowed to purchase their
prescription drugs from Canada.
50 85
[NEGOTIATE] The federal government should be able to negotiate
with drug companies to get lower prices on prescription drugs for
people on Medicare.
48 85
[TRANSPARENCY] Drug companies should be required to justify their
prices by disclosing how much they spend on research,
manufacturing, and marketing.
41 82
SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WIDELY AND INTENSELY SUPPORT
PROPOSED SOLUTIONS FOR ADDRESSING RISING RX DRUG COSTS.
Now you are going to see a series of statements about prescription drugs. Please indicate if you agree or disagree with each one on a scale
of 0 to 10 where 0 means you strongly disagree and 10 means you strongly agree. You can use any number between 0 and 10.
Source: Lake Research Partners online survey of 504 small business owners (September 28-October 4, 2016). Margin of error is +/-4.4%.

MESSAGING ON REGULATION

27
Base (21% of voters) Persuadables (63% of voters) Opposition (16% of voters)
• Strongly believe increased
enforcement of nation’s laws
and regulations is a good
thing
• Say the enforcement of our
laws and regulations in the
U.S. generally works/
succeeds
• Disagree that excessive
regulation is costing
Americans money and
costing the economy jobs
• More likely to be female,
Democrat, and residents of
the Northeast than
counterpart groups and
electorate overall
• Hold conflicting and
sometimes contradictory
positions with regards to
their perceptions of—and
support for—increased
enforcement of laws and
regulations
• Support enforcement, but
worry about potential for
excessive regulations to cost
Americans money and jobs
• More closely mirror popular
vote margin in 2016 vote, but
skew more likely to be
comprised of Millennials and
from the West than all voters
• Believe increased
enforcement of nation’s
laws and regulations is bad-
-or at best only somewhat
good
• See enforcement of our
laws and regulations in the
U.S. generally not working/
failing more often than
succeeding
• Agree that excessive
regulation is costing
Americans money and jobs
• More likely to be male,
Republican, older, white
and from the Midwest than
electorate overall

Increased
Enforcement
of Regulations
Restore Balance: Prevent Economic Disasters
Enforcement Works
Protect Health & Safety of Americans
• Proper enforcement of our laws can ensure everyone plays by the same set of rules.
Regulations that ensure things like clean water, clean air, and financial responsibility, create
good jobs and put money in the pockets of working families, helping entire communities
not just shareholders.
• Whether prohibiting big banks from destroying our economy, stopping the credit card
industry from charging billions in hidden fees, or preventing the tax cheats from hiding
trillions in offshore tax havens, or preventing polluters from poisoning our air and water,
tough but fair enforcement of our laws helps keep Americans safer from physical and
economic harm.
• System is out of balance, favoring wealthy & powerful over
ordinary Americans & small biz.
• Can’t trust big business to police itself when penalties are so
low. Employers who have workplace death fined avg. of $7k.
Wall St. execs responsible for financial collapse avoided
prosecution, got bonuses instead. Execs should be held to
the same standards as the rest of us--incl. criminal penalties,
even jail.
• Taxpayers spent millions of dollars bailing out auto industry
while some of the same companies deliberately broke US
laws, jeopardizing lives. VW lied about dangerous emissions
for millions of vehicles, GM ignored evidence of fatal defects
in its cars. Until they were caught, hundreds of drivers died
and untold damage was done to our air quality.
• Flint not the only example of lax enforcement, lead-contaminated
tap water is national problem; 18M use water systems with lead
levels that violate current standards—not incl. schools.
• 2014: est. 10,000 gallons of toxic chemical waste leaked into WV
river, contaminating drinking water for over 300,000 residents,
putting pregnant women, seniors, and children at risk. Water system
hadn’t been tested in over a decade, in violation of the laws, and
warnings of contamination were ignored.
• 2013: explosion at a fertilizer facility in West, TX killed 15, incl. 12
first responders, and destroyed three schools, a nursing home, and
hundreds of homes. Last time facility was inspected by OSHA was
1985, despite serious violation got just $30 fine. (Note, in May
2016, the West Texas incident was ruled arson, but officials have still
blamed
the explosion in part on a lack of
regulatory enforcement.)
WORDS THAT WORK & MESSAGE TRIANGLE

29
#1 Message – Safeguarding
Americans w/Examples
Enforcement of our laws is about safeguarding
Americans. And when done properly,
enforcement can prevent economic
catastrophe, protect our health, and save lives.
When enforcement of public protections is
neglected, the results can be disastrous. In
2013, an explosion at a small fertilizer facility
in West, Texas killed 15 people, including 12
first responders, and destroyed three schools, a
nursing facility, and hundreds of homes. In
2014 an estimated 10,000 gallons of toxic
chemical waste leaked from a private storage
facility into a West Virginia river due to lax
enforcement. The leak contaminated the
drinking water supply of over 300,000
residents, putting pregnant women, seniors,
and children at risk. The water system hadn’t
been tested in over a decade, and warnings of
contamination were ignored. We need strong
and improved enforcement to prevent deadly
situations like these from threatening American
communities. Tough but fair enforcement of
our laws helps keep Americans safer from
physical and economic harm.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Base Opposition
Persuadable

30
30
Strengths of Our Side
We can’t trust big businesses and corporations to police themselves (esp. when penalties are so
minimal)
Protect health, save lives
Big corporations promoting profits above the health and safety of Americans
Big corporations, not just ordinary Americans, need to be held accountable for their actions
System is out of balance, favoring the wealthy and powerful over ordinary Americans and small
businesses
Industry lobbyists are easily able to buy politicians
Effective enforcement of regulations can create jobs & good wages
Safeguarding Americans from an economic catastrophe
Investment in water infrastructure will create hundreds of thousands of well-paid jobs
Benefits of fair regulation far exceed the costs
Vulnerabilities/Strengths of the Opposition
Staggering costs of Federal debt costing taxpayers and small businesses
Regulations often put too much power in the hands of a few out of touch bureaucrats
Case studies are isolated examples not indicative of a systemic problem, and more government is
not the answer
Small business are crushed by the weight of bureaucratic red tape and burdensome regulations

Washington, DC | Berkeley, CA | New York, NY
LakeResearch.com
202.776.9066
Celinda Lake
clake@lakeresearch.com

Working with ASBC
Richard Eidlin, Vice President/Co-founder
reidlin@asbcouncil.org
303-478-0131
Bryan McGannon, Policy Director
bmcgannon@asbcouncil.org
202-650-7678