The economy and health care are the two biggest problems facing Vermont, according to a new poll. Respondents to the poll are also concerned with the stateâ s young adults leaving the state. With less than 11 percent saying they were not concerned by the youth leaving Vermont, 47.4 percent were very concerned and another 41.2 percent were concerned, meaning 88.6 percent of Vermonters are to some degree worried about this issue.
In perhaps the most surprising result of the poll of likely Vermont voters released today, is that while most Vermonters want the government to keep local post offices and central mailing centers open, by a wide margin they would not support the federal government continuing to subsidize the US Postal Service in order to continue Saturday delivery. Only 34.8 percent of respondents support subsidizing Saturdays, while 57.5 percent oppose it.
The polling, which is being rolled out all this week, was commissioned by Vermont Business Magazine, WCAX-TV and WDEV Radio. It was conducted by the Castleton Polling Institute at Castleton College during the second week of May.
Also in todayâ s poll was a question about special taxing districts. These TIFs, Tax Increment Financing districts, have been helpful to towns like Winooski tackle large, downtown redevelopment projects. But they could also reduce the amount of revenue going to the statewide property tax, which funds public education. With more than a third of respondents not sure about the issue, and another 35.7 percent opposing it, only 29 percent of Vermonters in this poll support this complex financing method.
However, education was not a top concern for Vermonters overall. In asking the question of what is the most important problem facing the state, only 10.7 percent of respondents indicated education, far below the economy (34.9 percent) and health care (26.5 percent). Another 12 percent said taxes are the biggest problem. Crime was the chief concern for only 3.6 percent of people.
This survey was conducted for WCAX, WDEV and Vermont Business Magazine by the Castleton Polling Institute at Castleton College. A total of 607 likely voters were interviewed statewide by telephone between May 7th and May 16th.
Those interviewed were selected from a random sample of registered voters in Vermont. The margin for error, according to standards customarily used by statisticians, is no more than plus or minus 4 percentage points.
This survey was conducted for WCAX, WDEV and Vermont Business Magazine by the Castleton Polling Institute at Castleton College.A total of 607 likely voters were interviewed statewide by telephone between May 7th to May 16th.
Those interviewed were selected from a random sample of registered voters in Vermont.The margin for error, according to standards customarily used by statisticians, is no more than plus or minus 4 percentage points.
Thursday's poll to first run at 11 am onvermontbiz.comwill feature questions on the economy and business, and the polling will conclude Friday with a report on WCAX at noon on health care, cell phone use while driving and death with dignity.
Monday:Sorrell outpaces Donovan, Illuzzi in new Vermont Attorney General poll
Tuesday:Poll: Shumlin approval rating high
Wednesday:POLL: Vermonters split on Vermont Yankee and GMP-CVPS merger, support renewables
Most important problem facing the state
Frequency
Percent
The economy
212
34.9
Taxes
73
12.0
Health Care
161
26.5
Education
65
10.7
Crime
22
3.6
Or something else
71
11.7
Total
604
99.5
System
3
.5
Total
607
100.0
Would you support the creation of â special property tax districts’in order to fund local development efforts, even if it means less property tax revenue for state government?
Frequency
Percent
Yes, support special property tax districts
176
29.0
No, do not support special property tax districts
217
35.7
Not/Sure/It depends
205
33.8
Refused
7
1.2`
Total
605
99.7
System
2
.3
Total
607
100.0
How concerned are you that the state of Vermont is losing young adults who are moving out-of-state for job opportunities?
Frequency
Percent
Very concerned
288
47.4
Somewhat concerned
182
30.0
Concerned just a little bit
68
11.2
Not concerned at all
65
10.7
Not sure/it depends
2
.3
Total
605
99.7
System
2
.3
Total
607
100.0
Do you favor or oppose having the federal government financially aid the U.S. Postal Service in order to continue Saturday delivery?
Frequency
Percent
Favor
211
34.8
Oppose
349
57.5
Not/Sure/It depends
44
7.2
Refused
1
.2
Total
605
99.7
Missing System
2
.3
Total
607
100.0
Do you favor or oppose having the federal government financially aid the U.S. Postal Service in order to keep local post offices from closing down?
Frequency
Percent
Favor
376
61.9
Oppose
180
29.7
Not/Sure/It depends
49
8.1
Refused
1
.2
Total
605
99.7
Missing System
2
.3
Total
607
100.0