Pennsylvania (PA) Poll * February 7, 2007 * Pennsylvania Governor's Rating - Quinnipiac University

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February 7, 2007 - Pennsylvania Governor's Rating At 2-1 All-Time High, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Back Statewide Smoking Ban

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell begins his second term with an all-time high 61 - 30 percent approval rating, but only 22 percent of voters think he should run for President, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Gov. Rendell's previous high approval rating was 55 - 30 percent June 22, 2006
Rendell gets a negative 36- 47 percent approval for his handling of the property tax issue, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN uh-pe-ack) University poll finds, but wins a 45 - 31 percent approval for his handling of health insurance.
Voters outside of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton say 46 - 39 percent they would vote May 5 to raise local income taxes to support local schools and lower property taxes in their school districts. Democrats support higher income taxes 48 - 39 percent, while Republicans support the idea 47 - 38 percent and independent voters support local income taxes 46 - 36 percent.
"In spite of record high approval ratings, property taxes threaten to become the albatross around Gov. Ed Rendell's neck," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"Voters in several areas support the proposal to swap higher incomes taxes for lower property taxes. But because voting is by individual school district, if the May referendum were held today, it would be defeated in some districts, especially in the Philadelphia suburbs and possibly in southwest Pennsylvania."
"Much as they love their governor, Pennsylvania voters don't want Ed Rendell to run for president; don't think he's qualified and wouldn't vote for him if he did run. End of story? Probably not," Richards added.
Pennsylvania voters support 74 - 23 percent using revenue from slot machines to fund property tax reductions, with strong support among all groups and regions.
But voters oppose 61 - 33 percent adding more casino sites to those already chosen in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Pittsburgh and the Poconos. Opposition is consistent among all groups and in all regions.
Smoking Ban
By a 60 - 37 percent margin, Pennsylvania voters support a ban on smoking in all bars, restaurants and public buildings in the state. Men support the proposed ban 56 - 40 percent while women support it 64 - 35 percent. Support ranges from 59 - 38 percent among Republicans to 65 - 33 percent among Democrats, and from a 49 - 51 percent split in southwest Pennsylvania to 68 - 31 percent in Philadelphia.
Voters also support 71 - 26 percent raising the tax on cigarettes and using the money to help pay for health insurance for Pennsylvania residents.
Voters agree with Rendell 76 - 16 percent that the health care system in the state is broken. Among the 77 percent of voters who have read or heard about the Governor's plan to provide health insurance for 700,000 uninsured Pennsylvanians, support is 67 - 19 percent. But voters say 73 - 9 percent that more needs to be done to fix health care.
It is the state's responsibility to make sure everyone has health insurance, voters say 57 - 39 percent.
Voters also feel 73 - 20 percent that Rendell's plan to charge uninsured people $10 to $280 per month for insurance, depending on income, is fair.
From February 1 - February 5, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,014 Pennsylvania voters with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points. The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and the nation as a public service and for research. For more data - www.quinnipiac.edu and click on Institutes and Centers, or call (203) 582-5201.
30. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ed Rendell is handling his job as Governor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 61% 41% 76% 69% 60% 62% Disapprove 30 50 16 22 32 29 DK/NA 9 8 8 9 8 9 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Approve 43% 84% 67% 71% 58% 48% 55% Disapprove 48 10 21 23 34 39 36 DK/NA 9 5 12 6 8 12 9
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ed Rendell is handling his job as Governor? (* Also hit 46% on 10/5/2005, 4/22/2004, 3/18/2004 and 12/16/2003)
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Feb 7 Aug 16 Jun 22 May 12 Apr 5 Feb 7 Apr 5 2007 2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2006* Approve 61 54 55 55 46 61 46 Disapprove 30 31 30 31 37 30 37 DK/NA 9 15 15 14 17 9 17
31. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 39% 36% 43% 39% 36% 41% Disapprove 44 48 41 43 48 41 DK/NA 17 17 16 18 15 19 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Approve 25% 29% 46% 43% 45% 44% 38% Disapprove 63 55 39 36 35 43 42 DK/NA 12 16 15 21 20 12 20
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Feb 7 Aug 16 Jun 22 May 12 Apr 5 Apr 10 Oct 5 2007 2006 2006 2006 2006 2003 2005 Approve 39 31 29 31 29 49 26 Disapprove 44 52 54 53 55 24 60 DK/NA 17 17 17 16 16 27 14
32. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Arlen Specter is handling his job as United States Senator?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 59% 57% 62% 57% 59% 59% Disapprove 33 35 29 34 33 32 DK/NA 8 8 8 8 7 9 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Approve 62% 64% 56% 60% 56% 50% 60% Disapprove 34 31 34 35 31 34 31 DK/NA 4 4 9 5 13 15 9
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Arlen Specter is handling his job as United States Senator? (* Also hit 60% on 5/22/2003 & 2/21/2003)
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Feb 7 Aug 15 Jun 21 May 11 Apr 6 Jul 13 Apr 22 2007 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005* 2004 Approve 59 50 52 55 53 60 47 Disapprove 33 37 36 33 32 30 36 DK/NA 8 13 12 12 14 10 17
33. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bob Casey Jr. is handling his job as United States Senator?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 49% 33% 65% 47% 45% 53% Disapprove 19 29 11 16 22 16 DK/NA 32 38 25 37 33 31 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Approve 50% 58% 54% 44% 49% 50% 47% Disapprove 15 23 16 17 21 21 19 DK/NA 36 19 30 38 30 28 34
41. Would you like Ed Rendell to run for President in 2008 or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 22% 12% 29% 25% 21% 22% No 72 81 65 69 74 70 DK/NA 7 7 6 6 5 8 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Yes 9% 26% 25% 31% 18% 19% 19% No 89 70 65 64 71 76 72 DK/NA 2 5 10 5 11 5 9
42. Regardless of whether or not you would vote for him, do you think Ed Rendell is qualified to be President of the U.S.?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 41% 34% 41% 50% 46% 36% No 49 56 46 41 48 50 DK/NA 10 9 12 9 6 14 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Yes 27% 47% 51% 53% 34% 36% 35% No 67 45 36 39 51 56 52 DK/NA 6 8 13 8 15 8 13
43. If Ed Rendell were to run for President in 2008, how likely is it that you would vote for him? Do you think you would definitely vote for him, probably vote for him, probably not vote for him, or definitely not vote for him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Definitely 7% 4% 10% 5% 6% 7% Probably 23 11 30 29 24 22 Probably not 32 29 36 32 30 34 Definitely not 31 52 17 26 34 30 DK/NA 7 4 7 8 6 7 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Definitely 3% 13% 9% 9% 1% 7% 5% Probably 15 27 26 33 22 13 19 Probably not 33 36 36 27 28 41 30 Definitely not 44 19 22 24 41 35 37 DK/NA 5 5 7 6 8 5 9
44. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ed Rendell is handling health insurance?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 45% 34% 55% 46% 44% 47% Disapprove 31 39 24 32 32 31 DK/NA 23 28 21 22 24 23 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Approve 38% 59% 53% 48% 29% 44% 43% Disapprove 42 35 22 24 38 31 32 DK/NA 20 5 25 29 33 25 25
45. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ed Rendell is handling property taxes?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 36% 23% 46% 36% 33% 38% Disapprove 47 60 38 45 50 44 DK/NA 17 17 16 20 16 18 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Approve 28% 43% 44% 40% 28% 34% 32% Disapprove 58 44 43 38 49 55 47 DK/NA 14 13 13 22 23 11 21
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ed Rendell is handling property taxes?
Feb 7 Jun 22 Jul 13 Apr 22 Feb 20 2007 2006 2004 2004 2003 Approve 36 39 41 29 33 Disapprove 47 41 43 50 33 DK/NA 17 20 16 21 34
46. How much have you heard or read about a statewide vote on May 5 asking voters in each school district to approve an increase of one percent or more in local income taxes with the funds going to cut property taxes in that school district? A lot, some, only a little or nothing at all?
LIVE OUTSIDE OF PHILLY, PITTSBURGH, SCRANTON Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom A lot 11% 10% 10% 14% 14% 9% Some 23 27 19 21 25 22 Only a little 31 29 30 36 28 32 Nothing at all 34 32 39 30 32 35 DK/NA 1 1 2 - 1 1 NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl A lot 10% 12% 6% 11% 14% Some 26 30 26 14 22 Only a little 28 22 24 36 34 Nothing at all 35 35 42 37 29 DK/NA 1 2 1 1 1
47. How likely is it that you will vote on this tax issue in the special election scheduled for May 5 - would you say you will definitely vote, probably vote, possibly not vote, or definitely not vote?
LIVE OUTSIDE OF PHILLY, PITTSBURGH, SCRANTON Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Definitely vote 46% 47% 48% 37% 51% 41% Probably vote 36 36 34 41 35 38 Possibly not vote 12 12 12 16 10 14 Definitely not vote 3 2 3 3 1 4 DK/NA 3 3 3 2 3 3 NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Definitely vote 48% 49% 42% 49% 44% Probably vote 45 37 35 27 36 Possibly not vote 5 11 16 11 15 Definitely not vote 1 2 3 5 3 DK/NA 2 1 3 7 3
48. Would you vote to raise income taxes in your school district if the revenue is used to lower property taxes in your school district?
LIVE OUTSIDE OF PHILLY, PITTSBURGH, SCRANTON Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 46% 47% 48% 46% 46% 47% No 39 38 39 36 42 36 DK/NA 15 14 13 18 12 17 NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Yes 45% 41% 52% 44% 50% No 34 46 36 42 34 DK/NA 21 13 12 14 16
49. Do you approve or disapprove of using revenue from slot machines at gambling casinos and horse racing tracks to fund property tax reductions.
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 74% 68% 74% 79% 76% 72% Disapprove 23 29 23 20 22 25 DK/NA 3 3 3 1 3 3 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Approve 77% 68% 84% 77% 78% 68% 68% Disapprove 22 28 14 20 21 28 28 DK/NA 1 5 2 3 1 4 3
50. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has chosen two sites on the Delaware River waterfront in Philadelphia, and one site each in Pittsburgh, Bethlehem and in the Poconos for stand alone casinos. State revenues from the casinos will be used to finance property tax reduction in Pennsylvania. Do you favor or oppose locating casinos on these sites?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favor 67% 59% 69% 75% 69% 65% Oppose 27 37 25 20 26 28 DK/NA 6 4 7 5 5 6 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Favor 73% 63% 72% 69% 66% 67% 63% Oppose 23 32 22 24 31 28 30 DK/NA 4 5 6 7 3 5 8
51. Do you think more sites should be chosen for casinos?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 33% 29% 34% 39% 36% 31% No 61 67 61 54 58 63 DK/NA 6 4 5 7 6 6 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Yes 40% 32% 34% 28% 37% 44% 29% No 54 65 62 66 59 48 64 DK/NA 6 2 4 7 4 8 7
52. Governor Rendell says that the health care system in Pennsylvania is broken. Do you agree or disagree?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Agree 76% 63% 84% 84% 72% 79% Disagree 16 25 10 11 20 12 DK/NA 8 12 6 5 8 8 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Agree 76% 84% 77% 75% 78% 68% 76% Disagree 18 12 15 19 12 22 13 DK/NA 6 5 9 6 10 10 11
53. Rendell has proposed a program called Prescription for Pennsylvania. It is intended to provide health insurance for more than seven hundred thousand Pennsylvania residents who do not have health insurance, and to improve the cost and quality of health care in general. How much have you heard or read about this program? A lot, some, only a little or nothing at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom A lot 7% 8% 6% 5% 8% 6% Some 28 26 33 24 28 28 Only a little 42 43 42 45 44 41 Nothing at all 22 23 19 24 19 24 DK/NA 1 - 1 2 1 1 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl A lot 2% 12% 7% 5% 5% 6% 9% Some 32 32 24 31 26 27 26 Only a little 44 35 42 42 49 42 44 Nothing at all 20 22 25 22 20 23 21 DK/NA 3 - 3 - - 2 -
54. (If heard or read q53) In general do you support or oppose this program?
HEARD OR READ Q53.......................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 67% 47% 80% 75% 63% 70% Oppose 19 35 7 13 26 12 DK/NA 14 18 13 12 11 17
55. Do you think it's the state's responsibility to make sure everyone has health insurance?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 57% 40% 69% 61% 50% 62% No 39 56 27 32 47 32 DK/NA 5 4 4 7 3 6 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Yes 58% 80% 46% 57% 47% 58% 51% No 38 17 49 40 47 38 42 DK/NA 4 2 5 3 6 4 8
56. Do you think that Governor Rendell's plan will do enough to fix the problems with the health care system in Pennsylvania or do you think more needs to be done?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Plan will fix 9% 8% 11% 9% 9% 9% More needs to be done 73 70 75 71 73 73 DK/NA 18 22 15 20 18 19 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Plan will fix 6% 10% 12% 9% 5% 9% 10% More needs to be done 81 75 66 69 77 79 69 DK/NA 13 15 22 21 18 12 21
57. Under Governor Rendell's plan uninsured people could pay anywhere from $10 a month to $280 a month for healthcare coverage. The cost would be determined by their income. Do you think this is fair or unfair?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes/Fair 73% 69% 79% 76% 70% 75% No/Unfair 20 24 15 19 22 18 DK/NA 7 7 6 5 7 7 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Yes/Fair 68% 65% 73% 73% 79% 77% 76% No/Unfair 27 29 19 15 19 18 17 DK/NA 5 6 8 11 2 5 7
58. Do you think that everyone should have to pay at least $10 a month for this coverage or do you think that it should be free for the poor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom All pay 59% 63% 56% 56% 61% 58% Free for poor 33 24 40 35 30 35 DK/NA 8 13 3 9 9 7 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl All pay 56% 56% 56% 60% 66% 51% 66% Free for poor 32 41 32 33 32 38 26 DK/NA 12 3 12 6 2 12 8
59. Would you support or oppose higher cigarette taxes to help pay for health insurance for Pennsylvania residents?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 71% 68% 74% 71% 71% 71% Oppose 26 31 21 27 27 26 DK/NA 3 1 4 2 2 4 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Support 66% 63% 72% 78% 76% 74% 68% Oppose 31 35 22 22 20 24 28 DK/NA 2 2 6 1 3 2 4
60. There is a proposal to ban smoking in all bars, restaurants and public buildings in Pennsylvania. Do you support or oppose a ban on smoking in these places?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 60% 59% 65% 54% 56% 64% Oppose 37 38 33 43 40 35 DK/NA 3 3 1 3 4 2 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Support 52% 68% 63% 65% 61% 49% 61% Oppose 44 31 34 32 39 51 35 DK/NA 4 2 3 3 1 - 3