Pennsylvania (PA) Poll * July 14, 2005 * Use Gambling Dollars For Local - Quinnipiac University

Home> Institutes and Centers> Quinnipiac University Polling Institute> Pennsylvania (PA)> Release Detail

July 14, 2005 - Use Gambling Dollars For Local Schools, Pennsylvania Voters Tell Quinnipiac University Poll; Republican Challengers Inch Up On Rendell

Pennsylvania voters approve 60 - 36 percent of the plan to use gambling revenue to cut local property taxes and the Philadelphia wage tax, and say 6 -1 that the public should be allowed to vote on the measure in districts where the school board has rejected using gambling revenue to pay for education, according to a Quinnipiac poll released today.
Failure to provide property tax relief is shaping up as a potentially damaging issue for Gov. Ed Rendell, whose Republican challengers have gained some ground on the Democratic incumbent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Former Lt Gov. Bill Scranton has narrowed the gap from 15 points April 21 to 10 points today.
Support for the gambling measure ranges from 80 - 19 percent in Philadelphia to 49 - 42 percent in northwest Pennsylvania. By a 56 - 36 percent margin, voters want their local school districts to accept gambling revenue to reduce local taxes.
And by an 83 - 14 percent margin, voters say the matter should be referred to a public vote if a local school board refuses to participate in the program.
"Pennsylvania voters clearly want to overrule their local school boards and go with Gov. Rendell's plan to use gambling revenue to partially replace property taxes as a means of financing education," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"Voters are evenly divided, 45 - 45 percent, on whether the gambling plan will produce the $1 billion windfall promised by backers, down from 51 - 38 percent last year."
Pennsylvania voters give Gov. Ed Rendell a 47 - 39 percent approval rating, his lowest since a 46 - 33 percent approval in an April 22, 2004, Quinnipiac University poll. The Governor deserves to be reelected, voters say 46 - 41 percent, down from 48 - 38 percent last April 21.
The tax situation in Pennsylvania has gotten worse since Rendell became Governor, 47 percent of voters say, with 4 percent who say it got better and 44 percent who say it remained the same.
A total of 72 percent of Pennsylvania voters say Rendell bears "a lot" or "some" of the responsibility for the failing to reduce property taxes in the state.
Rendell still leads several possible Republican challengers:
47 - 37 percent over former Lt. Gov. Bill Scranton, compared to 49 - 34 percent April 21; 48 - 36 percent over former Pittsburgh Steeler Lynn Swann, unchanged from April 21; 51 - 28 percent over State Sen. Jeff Piccola, compared to 54 - 27 percent.
In a Republican primary for Governor, Swann leads with 32 percent, followed by 21 percent for Scranton and 6 percent for Piccola, with 36 percent undecided.
"Gov. Rendell appears in good shape when matched against either Lynn Swann or Bill Scranton, but the property tax issue could become his Achilles' heel in a re-election campaign," Richards said. "A clear majority of Pennsylvania voters say the Governor is at least partially to blame for the failure to achieve meaningful property tax relief and almost a majority say the tax situation has gotten worse since Rendell was elected."
From July 6 - 10, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,639 Pennsylvania voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.4 percentage points. The survey includes 728 Republican voters with a margin of error of +/- 3.6 percentage points. The survey also includes an oversample of 537 voters from the Philadelphia suburbs, with a margin of error of +/- 4.2 percentage points. In the overall sample, voters from the Philadelphia suburbs were weighted to reflect their representation in the population.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida and the nation as a public service and for research.
For additional data-www.quinnipiac.edu and quicklinks
1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ed Rendell is handling his job as Governor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 47% 32% 62% 48% 48% 46% Disapprove 39 56 22 39 41 38 DK/NA 14 12 16 13 11 16 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Central Approve 44% 81% 50% 66% 29% 26% 32% Disapprove 40 11 36 22 54 60 52 DK/NA 16 8 15 12 17 14 16
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ed Rendell is handling his job as Governor? (* Also hit 54% on 2/20/2003) (** Also hit 46% on 3/18/2004 and 12/16/2003)
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jul 14 Apr 21 Feb 17 Sep 16 Jul 13 Apr 22 2005 2005 2005 2004 2004* 2004** Approve 47 49 51 52 54 46 Disapprove 39 34 33 30 30 33 DK/NA 14 18 16 17 15 22
2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 37% 38% 38% 36% 38% 37% Disapprove 47 47 45 48 49 45 DK/NA 16 15 17 16 13 18
6. Is your opinion of Governor Ed Rendell favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 37% 21% 56% 34% 40% 35% Unfavorable 29 49 12 26 32 26 Mixed 22 19 21 28 18 25 Hvn't hrd enough 11 11 10 10 9 12 REFUSED 1 1 1 2 1 1
7. Is your opinion of State Senator Jeff Piccola favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 5% 4% 5% 5% 6% 4% Unfavorable 3 3 1 4 4 2 Mixed 5 5 5 4 6 4 Hvn't hrd enough 87 87 87 85 83 90 REFUSED 1 - 1 1 1 -
8. Is your opinion of former Lieutenant Governor Bill Scranton favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 19% 19% 23% 15% 21% 18% Unfavorable 5 5 5 3 6 3 Mixed 14 12 12 20 14 15 Hvn't hrd enough 60 62 58 61 58 62 REFUSED 2 3 1 1 2 1
9. Is your opinion of former Pittsburgh Steeler Lynn Swann favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 26% 33% 21% 23% 32% 21% Unfavorable 7 4 9 6 10 4 Mixed 7 6 10 7 8 7 Hvn't hrd enough 59 56 59 63 48 68 REFUSED 1 1 1 1 1 1
10. If the 2006 election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were Ed Rendell the Democrat, and Jeff Piccola the Republican, for whom would you vote?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Rendell 51% 22% 81% 53% 50% 51% Piccola 28 57 6 22 31 26 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 2 2 3 1 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 2 1 4 2 3 DK/NA 16 18 11 18 15 17 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Central Rendell 54% 83% 46% 68% 36% 35% 36% Piccola 29 6 25 18 38 33 41 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 - 2 1 2 3 4 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 2 2 2 5 4 3 DK/NA 13 9 25 11 20 25 17
TREND: If the 2006 election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were Ed Rendell the Democrat, and Jeff Piccola the Republican, for whom would you vote?
Jul 14 Apr 21 Feb 17 2005 2005 2005 Ed Rendell 51 54 52 Jeff Piccola 28 27 28 SMONE ELSE 2 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE 3 2 2 DK/NA 16 17 17
11. If the 2006 election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were Ed Rendell the Democrat, and Bill Scranton the Republican, for whom would you vote?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Rendell 47% 17% 76% 50% 46% 49% Scranton 37 68 11 34 40 36 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 1 1 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 1 - 2 1 2 DK/NA 13 12 11 13 12 13 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Central Rendell 46% 85% 39% 66% 32% 32% 33% Scranton 37 8 41 24 50 45 52 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 - 1 - 1 3 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 - 2 1 3 1 2 DK/NA 13 7 17 9 14 20 12
TREND: If the 2006 election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were Ed Rendell the Democrat, and Bill Scranton the Republican, for whom would you vote?
Jul 14 Apr 21 Feb 17 2005 2005 2005 Ed Rendell 47 49 50 Bill Scranton 37 34 35 SMONE ELSE 1 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE 1 1 2 DK/NA 13 14 12
12. If the 2006 election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were Ed Rendell the Democrat, and Lynn Swann the Republican, for whom would you vote?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Rendell 48% 19% 76% 52% 48% 48% Swann 36 66 12 29 38 33 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 1 1 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 1 - 2 2 2 DK/NA 13 13 10 15 11 15 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Central Rendell 47% 85% 43% 66% 37% 31% 33% Swann 43 5 36 21 46 46 49 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - 2 - 1 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 - 2 1 2 2 2 DK/NA 8 10 17 11 15 20 14
TREND: If the 2006 election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were Ed Rendell the Democrat, and Lynn Swann the Republican, for whom would you vote?
Jul 14 Apr 21 Feb 17 2005 2005 2005 Ed Rendell 48 48 50 Lynn Swann 36 35 34 SMONE ELSE 1 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE 2 2 2 DK/NA 13 14 13
13. Looking ahead to the 2006 election for governor, do you feel that Ed Rendell deserves to be reelected, or do you feel that he does not deserve to be reelected?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Deserves reelection 46% 24% 67% 48% 47% 45% Does not 41 63 20 38 42 40 DK/NA 14 13 13 15 12 15 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Central Deserves reelection 42% 84% 40% 64% 31% 27% 32% Does not 46 10 34 23 57 64 53 DK/NA 12 6 26 13 12 9 15
TREND: Looking ahead to the 2006 election for governor, do you feel that Ed Rendell deserves to be reelected, or do you feel that he does not deserve to be reelected?
Jul 14 Apr 21 Feb 17 2005 2005 2005 Deserves reelection 46 48 48 Does not deserve 41 38 38 DK/NA 14 14 14
20. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Pennsylvania today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very satisfied 4% 4% 6% 2% 6% 4% Smwht satisfied 48 45 53 46 46 49 Smwht dissatisfied 32 35 26 36 30 34 Very dissatisfied 15 15 14 15 17 14 DK/NA 1 - 1 1 1 1
21. What do you think is the most important problem facing Pennsylvania today?
Tot Economy total 25% Economy general 3 Unemployment/jobs 18 Minimum wage too low 1 Cost of living 1 Businesses leaving/ Outsourcing 2 Taxes total 17% Taxes general 8 Property tax 7 Income Tax 1 Taxes other 1 Education total 9% Education general 4 Funding education 5 Politicians/Campaigns total 4% Politicians/Campaigns general 1 Political corruption 1 Bush administration 1 Governor/State leadership 1 Healthcare/Costs/ Insurance/HMO's 4% Crime total 3% Crime/Violence general 2 Gangs/Youth crime - Drugs 1 Budget/Spending total 3% Budget general 1 Government too big/Gov spending 1 Budget priorities 1 Transportation/DMV total 2% Lack of quality mass trans/Public trans 1 Poor condition of roads/highways 1 Casinos/Gambling 2% Gas prices 1 Welfare 1 Poverty/Homeless 1 Medical malpractice 1 Medicare 1 Senior issues 1 Social security 1 Lack of ethics/Morality 1 Environment/Pollution 1 Security/Safety 1 War (Iraq) 1 Other 4 DK/NA 10
23. Since Ed Rendell became Governor do you think the quality of life in Pennsylvania has gotten better, worse, or stayed about the same?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Better 12% 7% 18% 10% 12% 12% Worse 21 26 18 20 21 21 Same 63 61 61 68 63 63 DK/NA 4 5 3 2 4 4
24. Since Ed Rendell became Governor do you think the job situation in Pennsylvania has gotten better, worse, or stayed about the same?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Better 14% 11% 18% 15% 15% 14% Worse 33 32 31 36 31 35 Same 45 50 44 41 46 44 DK/NA 7 6 7 8 7 7
25. Since Ed Rendell became Governor do you think the economy in Pennsylvania has gotten better, worse, or stayed about the same?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Better 12% 10% 16% 11% 15% 10% Worse 33 36 30 34 30 36 Same 50 49 49 51 51 49 DK/NA 4 5 4 4 3 5
26. Since Ed Rendell became Governor do you think the quality of education in Pennsylvania has gotten better, worse, or stayed about the same?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Better 16% 8% 19% 19% 16% 16% Worse 22 26 20 23 19 26 Same 51 54 51 48 53 49 DK/NA 11 12 11 10 13 10
27. Since Ed Rendell became Governor do you think the tax situation in Pennsylvania has gotten better, worse, or stayed about the same?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Better 4% 2% 7% 4% 5% 4% Worse 47 56 39 45 48 46 Same 44 37 49 45 43 45 DK/NA 5 5 5 6 5 5
28. Would you describe the state of Pennsylvania's economy these days as: excellent, good, not so good or poor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Excellent 1% 1% 1% - 1% - Good 41 45 40 40 45 38 Not so good 43 42 42 45 39 46 Poor 13 11 14 13 13 14 DK/NA 2 2 2 1 2 2
29. As you may know, the legislature has passed and Governor Rendell has signed a new law installing more than 60 thousand slot machines in Pennsylvania to raise 1 billion dollars to cut property taxes and the Philadelphia wage tax. Do you approve or disapprove of this new law?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 60% 46% 73% 63% 60% 59% Disapprove 36 49 23 34 36 36 DK/NA 4 5 4 3 3 5 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Central Approve 62% 80% 60% 66% 49% 50% 52% Disapprove 34 19 34 30 42 46 44 DK/NA 4 1 6 4 9 4 4
TREND: As you may know, the legislature has passed and Governor Rendell has signed a new law installing more than 60 thousand slot machines in Pennsylvania to raise 1 billion dollars to cut property taxes and the Philadelphia wage tax. Do you approve or disapprove of this new law?
Jul 14 Jul 13 2005 2004 Approve 60 62 Disapprove 36 32 DK/NA 4 6
30. Supporters of this legislation say the slot machines will provide 1 billion dollars in new revenue for Pennsylvania. Do you believe that the slot machines will raise that much money or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 45% 38% 57% 41% 44% 46% No 45 54 35 47 46 44 DK/NA 10 9 9 12 10 10
TREND: Supporters of this legislation say the slot machines will provide 1 billion dollars in new revenue for Pennsylvania. Do you believe that the slot machines will raise that much money or not?
Jul 14 Jul 13 2005 2004 Yes 45 51 No 45 38 DK/NA 10 10
31. Do you think your local school district should participate in this plan and use slot machine revenue to help lower local property taxes or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 56% 48% 64% 59% 60% 54% No 36 46 29 33 33 39 DK/NA 7 6 8 8 7 8
32. If your local school board voted against the plan to use slot machine revenue to lower property taxes, do you think there should be a public vote on this issue, or should the school board's decision stand?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Public vote 83% 80% 84% 87% 84% 82% Board's decision stands 14 17 13 12 13 15 DK/NA 3 3 3 1 2 3
33. The plan to use slot machine revenues to finance property tax cuts was a major proposal of Governor Rendell. As you may know, most local school boards rejected the plan. How much responsibility do you think Governor Rendell bears for failing to reduce property taxes in Pennsylvania - A lot, some, or not much?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom A lot 29% 38% 19% 32% 32% 27% Some 43 40 48 42 39 46 Not much 23 18 29 22 25 22 DK/NA 5 4 4 5 3 6
39. (If registered Republican)If the 2006 Republican primary for Governor were being held today and the candidates were Jeff Piccola, Bill Scranton, and Lynn Swann for whom would you vote?
Reg Rep Piccola 6% Scranton 21 Swann 32 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 DK/NA 36
TREND: (If registered Republican) If the 2006 Republican primary for Governor were being held today and the candidates were Jeff Piccola, Bill Scranton, and Lynn Swann for whom would you vote?
REGISTERED REPUBLICANS Jul 14 Apr 21 2005 2005 Jeff Piccola 6 6 Bill Scranton 21 21 Lynn Swann 32 25 SMONE ELSE 2 - WLDN'T VOTE 2 - DK/NA 36 47