capitolThe ongoing budget battle at the Capitol is not endearing state legislators to the public, according to a new SurveyUSA poll. Just 26 percent of Minnesota residents expressed approval of the job being performed by the state legislature, according to the poll, commissioned by KSTP (Channel 5), while 64 percent indicated disapproval.

The survey of 500 residents also gauged support for a $1 billion tax bill that was passed by the DFL-controlled legislature last week, but vetoed by Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty.  Roughly half (48 percent) of respondents expressed support for an override of the Governor’s veto, while 44 percent opposed an override.

In SurveyUSA’s most recent poll looking at Pawlenty’s popularity, 46 percent expressed approval of the job he is doing, while 50 percent indicated disapproval.