Top Line Survey Results Pennsylvania State Pulse Poll

Columnist : Lincoln Institute

Statewide Voter Poll
( Sample Size: 701)

Q1. In general, do you think things in Pennsylvania are going in the right direction, or do you think that things have gotten on the wrong track?

1. Right direction 245 35%
2. Wrong track 315 45%
3. Undecided 142 20%

Q2. What would you say is the single most important problem facing your area today. That is, the one that you would like to see resolved by your federal or state elected officials. (DO NOT READ CHOICES)

1. Taxes 122 17%
2. Drugs/Crime/Violence 13 2%
3. Economy/Jobs 215 31%
4. Growth/Development 6 1%
5. Streets/Road conditions 14 2%
6. Politicians/Government 27 4%
7. Corporate corruption 3 0%
8. Prescription drugs/Healthcare 93 13%
9. Medicare/Social security 24 3%
10. Education/Schools 88 13%
11. Morality/Family values 16 2%
12. Security/Terrorism/Foreign policy 2 0%
13. Environment/Pollution 6 1%
14. Stock market concerns 2 0%
15. Undecided/None 48 7%
16. Other 23 3%

 

Q3. Should unions be forbidden from deducting money from union workers’ pay without their permission, then using that money for political purposes?

1. Yes 511 73%
2. No 147 21%
3. Undecided 39 5%
4. Refuse 5 2%

Q4. Do you favor or oppose enactment of what’s commonly referred to as Right to Work Law, whereby a worker cannot be compelled to join or pay fees to a labor union as a condition of employment? (Test Intensity)

Total favor:
62%
Total oppose:
29%
1. Strongly favor 297 42%
2. Somewhat favor 141 20%
3. Strongly oppose 119 17%
4. Somewhat oppose 82 12%
5. Undecided 61 9%
6. Refuse 2 0%

Q5. Do you think local school districts and municipalities should have the option of paying union or prevailing wages on taxpayer funded construction projects, or should such projects go to the lowest bidder?

1. Must pay union/prevailing wage 153 22%
2. Go to the lowest bidder 435 62%
3. Undecided 112 16%
4. Refuse 2 0%

Q6. Do you think laws compelling certain state employees to pay fees to a labor union as a condition of government employment should be repealed?

1. Yes 437 62%
2. No 156 22%
3. Undecided 104 15%
4. Refuse 5 1%

Q7. Generally speaking, do you view the quality of public education in Pennsylvania as Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor?

1. Excellent 46 6%
2. Good 278 40%
3. Fair 219 31%
4. Poor 110 16%
5. Undecided 48 7%
6. Refuse 1 0%

Q8. Do you think Pennsylvania spends too much, about the right amount, or not enough money on public education?

1. Too much 87 12%
2. About right amount 175 25%
3. Not enough 355 51%
4. Undecided 85 12%

Q9. As a taxpayer, would you like to have the right to vote to approve any property tax increase proposed by school districts, at the local level?

1. Yes 601 86%
2. No 80 11%
3. Undecided 19 3%
4. Refuse 2 0%

Q10. If local property taxes had to be replaced with another tax, would you favor a local earned income tax, a local sales tax, or a combination of earned income and sales taxes?

1. Local earned income tax 121 17%
2. Local sales tax 165 24%
3. Combination of both 309 44%
4. Undecided 101 14%
5. Refuse 6 1%

Q11. Do you favor or oppose giving taxpayer-funded tuition vouchers to parents to allow them to send their children to the public, private or parochial school of their choice?

1. Favor 341 49%
2. Oppose 308 44%
3. Undecided 52 7%
4. Refuse 1 0%

Q12. Pennsylvania is currently one of 13 states in the country that imposes an inheritance tax, often called the death tax, which taxes people’s estates after their death. This tax generates more than $700 million per year for the state. If it were up to you, would you: (READ CHOICES BELOW –ONE ANSWER ONLY)

1. Keep the tax as it is today 106 15%
2. Reduce the tax slightly 151 22%
3. Eliminate the tax and cut state spending 303 43%
4. Eliminate the tax and increase other taxes 80 11%
5. Undecided 62 9%

Q13. Should Pennsylvania reduce the amount of taxpayer money spent enticing businesses to move into the state, and return this money to the taxpayer?

1. Yes, reduce economic development spending 294 42%
2. No, don’t reduce economic development spending 330 47%
3. Undecided 75 11%
4. Refuse 3 0%

Q14. Generally speaking, do you think sports stadiums and arenas should be paid for with taxpayer money, or should they be financed privately?

1. Paid with tax money 25 4%
2. Financed privately 626 89%
3. Undecided 50 7%
4. Refuse 1 0%

Q15. If current state tax revenues fall short of budget projections, should the General Assembly and Governor Rendell reduce spending and eliminate government programs, or increase taxes and maintain current programs?

1. Reduce spending/Eliminate programs 403 57%
2. Increase taxes/Maintain programs 152 22%
3. Undecided 137 20%
4. Refuse 10 1%

Q16. Do your favor or oppose a constitutional amendment that would require voter approval for statewide tax increases that exceed the rate of inflation? (Test Intensity)

Total favor:
76%
Total oppose:
17%
1. Strongly favor 345 49%
2. Somewhat favor 188 27%
3. Strongly oppose 56 8%
4. Somewhat oppose 67 9%
5. Undecided 42 6%
6. Refuse 4 1%

Q17. Do you support allowing slot machines at racetracks in Pennsylvania?

1. Yes 463 66%
2. No 197 28%
3. Undecided 40 6%
4. Refuse 2 0%

Q18. Do you favor or oppose allowing other gaming in Pennsylvania, such as riverboat casinos?

1. Favor 418 60%
2. Oppose 234 33%
3. Undecided 47 7%
4. Refuse 3 0%

Q19. Have you personally had any difficulty accessing health care because providers have gone out of business due to an inability to obtain medical malpractice insurance?

1. Yes 82 12%
2. No 610 87%
3. Undecided 8 1%
4. Refuse 2 0%

Q20. Thinking of Pennsylvania state government, do you see any real difference between the policies and actions of Republicans and Democrats?

1. Yes 313 45%
2. No 325 46%
3. Undecided 61 9%
4. Refuse 3 0%

Now, I just have a few more questions for demographical purposes, and then we’ll be through…

Q21. Are you registered to vote in Pennsylvania as a Republican, Democrat, Independent or something else?

1. Republican 303 43%
2. Democrat 327 47%
3. Independent/Other 58 8%
4. Refuse 14 2%

Q22. What is your age according to the following brackets: 18 – 34, 35 – 44, 45 – 54, 55 – 64, or over 65?

1. 18-34 65 9%
2. 35-44 145 21%
3. 45-54 176 25%
4. 55-64 143 21%
5. 65+ 171 24%
6. Refuse 2 0%

Q23. Do you consider yourself to be a Libertarian, Conservative, Moderate, or Liberal when thinking about politics?

1. Libertarian 9 1%
2. Conservative 247 35%
3. Moderate 241 34%
4. Liberal 122 18%
5. Undecided 55 8%
6. None/Other 21 3%
7. Refuse 7 1%

Q24. What is your current household income level according to the following brackets: less than $15,000, $15 – 30,000, $31 – 50,000, $51 – 75,000, $76 – 100,000 or more than $100,000?

1. Less than $15,000 50 7%
2. $15,000 – $30,000 129 18%
3. $31,000 – $50,000 147 21%
4. $51,000 – $75,000 142 20%
5. $76,000 – $100,000 77 11%
6. More than $100,000 55 8%
7. Undecided 4 1%
8. Refuse 98 14%

Q25. Is your main racial heritage or background of White, African-American, Hispanic, or another background?

1. White/Caucasian 631 90%
2. African American 33 4%
3. Hispanic 4 1%
4. Asian or pacific islander 0 0%
5. Native American 2 0%
6. Other/None 13 2%
7. Refuse 19 3%

Q26. Is your main religious background Mainline Protestant, Catholic, Evangelical Christian, Eastern Orthodox, Jewish, Mormon, Agnostic or Atheist, or something else?

1. Mainline Protestant 242 34%
2. Catholic 260 37%
3. Evangelical Christian 69 10%
4. Eastern Orthodox 4 1%
5. Jewish 9 1%
6. Mormon 2 0%
7. Agnostic or Atheist 12 2%
8. Other/None 87 12%
9. Refuse 17 3%

Thank you for your participation in the survey. Have a good day/evening.

Q27. Gender

1. Male 301 43%
2. Female 401 57%

Q28. Area Breaks

1. Erie MM 37 5%
2. Pittsburgh MM 165 24%
3. Johnstown/Altoona MM 68 10%
4. Central PA/Hbg/York MM 86 12%
5. Northeast MM 99 14%
6. Philadelphia MM 247 35%

 

The margin of error for sample size of 702 is 3.70%.