Local government viewed favorably.

The public continues to see state and local governments in a favorable light, according to a Pew Research Center survey Overall, 63 percent of those polled say they have a favorable opinion of their local government, virtually unchanged over recent years. And 57 percent express a favorable view of their state government, up five points from last year. That compares with 28 percent for the federal government, down five points from a year ago and the lowest percentage yet in a Pew Research Center survey

Sixty-nine percent of respondents say their state is facing budget problems, compared with 81 percent two years ago, according to the report, titled State Governments Viewed Favorably as Federal Rating Hits New Low. Thirty percent say economic conditions in their...