Final Top Line Survey Results

Susquehanna Polling/ABC Channel 27 Mid-state Poll

Sample Size: 300 Registered Voters

Conducted: July 20-21, 2008

 

INTRODUCTION:  We are conducting a survey of attitudes and opinions concerning some important issues facing Pennsylvania today.  May we have a few minutes of your time to complete the survey? 

 

Q1. Which of the following should be the top priority for the Governor and State Legislature in Harrisburg to concentrate on? (READ AND ROTATE LIST – ONE CHOICE ONLY)

 

61

(20%)

1. Reducing property taxes

9

(03%)

2. Fighting crime and violence

45

(15%)

3. Improving health care

71

(24%)

4. Creating jobs and strengthening the economy

24

(08%)

5. Fixing roads and bridges

24

(08%)

6. Improving education

54

(18%)

7. Reforming state government to cut down on corruption and

    abuse

11

(04%)

8. Undecided (DO NOT READ)

 

Q2. Have you recently seen, read or heard anything in the news about the announcement by Attorney General Tom Corbett to indict 12 individuals in the State House Democratic Caucus, including two state legislators, on felony charges related to the illegal payment of taxpayer-paid bonuses to House Democratic staffers for work on political campaigns, known as the bonus-gate scandal, as well as misuse of taxpayer dollars for other campaign activities?

1. Yes

241

80%

2. No

55

18%

3. Undecided

3

01%

 

Q3. In the last two years, state lawmakers in Harrisburg have made some progress reforming the way business is currently conducted, with things like changing the internal rules of the house so lawmakers have more time to vote on bills and passing an open records law as a way to make state government more open and transparent.  However, other issues like campaign finance reform, influence of lobbyists, and reducing the size and cost of the legislature still remain unresolved.  Given all the pressing issues facing the state, should lawmakers make state government reform a high or low priority?

 

1. High

246

82%

2. Low

31

10%

3. Undecided

21

07%

4. Refuse

2

01%

 

Q4. As you may or may not know, reform groups have called on state lawmakers to hold a special legislative session to discuss reform measures.  That would mean lawmakers would be asked to come back from summer break to tackle the issues in Harrisburg.  Do you think this should happen now, or can it wait until the legislature returns in the fall?

 

1. Happen now

207

69%

2. Wait until fall

74

25%

3. Undecided

18

06%

4. Refuse

2

01%

 

Q5. What is your approximate age according to the following brackets: 18 - 29, 30 - 44, 45 - 59 or 60 and over?

 

1. 18-29

13

04%

2. 30-44

51

17%

3. 45-59

136

45%

4. 60+

93

31%

5. Refuse

8

03%

 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE SURVEY. HAVE A GOOD DAY/NIGHT

 

Gender:  

 

1. Male  

144

48%

2. Female  

156

52%

 

Area:

 

1. Adams

15

05%

2. Cumberland

39

13%

3. Dauphin

46

15%

4. Franklin

22

07%

5. Lancaster

87

29%

6. Lebanon

20

07%

7. Perry

6

02%

8. York

67

22%

 

The margin of error for a sample size of 300 is +/-5.66%