Public opinion continues to shift on a major privatization issue: selling the state liquor stores as part of a plan to transfer the sale and distribution of alcohol from the public to private hands. Until February 2013, a sizeable majority of PA voters supported the idea.
Three valid opinion surveys now show that majority has disappeared, although opinion has not shifted enough to say that voters oppose privatizing the state liquor stores. Rather, public opinion on this issue is not settled.
The first survey (Franklin & Marshall College, February 2013) found a majority support privatization, but the majority is within the margin of error of the survey. The second (Muhlenberg College, February 2013) found support at just 45%. The third (Franklin & Marshall College, May 2013) also found support under 50%, but still within the margin of error of the survey.
Therefore, we continue to list selling the state stores as pending.
Therefore, we have removed it from the Majority Mandate and list it simply as pending.
Pending:
Sell the state liquor stores…
47% support; 40% oppose. Note that the majority is within the margin of error of the poll (4.3 percentage points).
Franklin & Marshall, May 2013
53% support; 34% oppose. Note that the majority is within the margin of error of the poll (3.9 percentage points).
Franklin & Marshall, February 2013
62% support; 31% oppose
Quinnipiac University, September 29, 2011
64% support; 26% oppose
Franklin & Marshal, March 17, 2011
….to balance the state budget.
45% support; 39% oppose.
Muhlenberg College, February 2013
60% support; 29% oppose
Franklin & Marshall, June 6, 2012
57% support; 31% oppose
Muhlenberg College, April 2012
56% support; 30% oppose
Franklin & Marshall College, August 29, 2011
66% support; 26% oppose
Quinnipiac University, December 15, 2010
The majority believes proposals to privatize state government functions should require approval by the legislature. However, there is only one opinion survey on this subject. Therefore, it cannot be part of the Majority Mandate until at least one other opinion survey confirms the majority.
- 84% support requiring legislative action; 10% oppose requiring legislative action; 7% don’t know.
Franklin & Marshall, February 2013
The majority opposes turning over management of the Pennsylvania Lottery to a private company. However, there is only one opinion survey on this subject. Therefore, it cannot be part of Majority Mandate until at least one other opinion survey confirms the majority.
- 18% support; 64% oppose; 18% don’t know.
Franklin & Marshall, February 2013
The majority opposes privatizing the state parks. However, there is only one opinion survey on this subject. Therefore, it cannot be part of the Majority Mandate until at least one other opinion survey confirms the majority.
- 64% oppose; 28% support
Quinnipiac University, September 29, 2011
The majority opposes leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike in order to balance the state budget. However, there is only one opinion survey on this subject, and the majority is within the margin of error of the poll. Therefore it cannot be part of the Majority Mandate until further opinion surveys confirm a settled majority on the topic.
- 47% oppose; 29% support.
Muhlenberg College, March 2011
- 52% oppose; 36% support.
Quinnipiac University, December 15, 2010
