Hassenfeld/Bryant poll: tolls with strong opposition, real support

SMITHFIELD – Rhode Islanders are largely divided on whether the state should assess a toll on large trucks to pay to fix the state’s roads and bridges, although the opposition is more certain than those in favor.

That’s according to the newest poll released by the Hassenfeld Institute of Public Leadership at Bryant University.

The institute’s fourth public opinion survey released Friday shows 49.4 percent of respondents oppose Gov. Gina M. Raimondo’s proposed toll plan that would use future revenue to pay off a $1 billion bond spent to fix the state’s crumbling infrastructure. Conversely, 43.9 percent of respondents said they favor the governor’s plan.

Breaking the numbers down further, however, show respondents who “strongly oppose” – 35.4 percent – greatly outnumber those who’re “strongly in favor,” 14 percent, according to the results.

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An alternative toll plan proposal, using a “pay as you go” system to fix the state’s roads and bridges, was also met with strong opposition. Results show 51.9 percent of respondents opposing the plan while 37.7 percent were in favor. However, 27.4 percent of respondents strongly opposed the alternative plan while 8.2 percent were strongly in favor.

When asked how respondents would fix the state’s infrastructure, which is ranked among the worst in the country, the largest number, 57.8 percent, said they were in favor of reallocating money from the state’s budget. Nearly 50 percent of respondents opposed increasing the diesel fuel tax, while 41 percent were in favor, according to the results.

Other issues

On other issues, the institute polled respondents on their elected officials, what the General Assembly should address this legislative session, issues of education and general feelings about the current condition of the state.

Results show 43.9 percent of respondents feel “things have moved in the wrong direction,” while 35.4 percent say the state is moving in the right direction. Job creation emerged as the most important issue the state should work on in the current legislative session, followed by curbing government corruption, 18.2 percent, and limiting government spending, 16.7 percent.

“However, when asked if recently passed measures, including tax credits for businesses, $25 million program for development of vacant land in Providence and a tourism marketing campaign, would make a difference Rhode Islanders are divided,” according to the institute.

Indeed, 44.9 percent of respondents said the new policies would not make a difference while 42.1 percent said the changes would create jobs.

On politics, respondents largely do not like their elected leaders, as 60.8 percent said local leaders were doing either a fair or poor job while 73.1 percent said their state leaders were doing a fair or poor job.

On the issue of education – under the pretext that recent testing shows most students not meeting expectations on English or math assessments – respondents were asked what would best help improve education:

  • 25.4 percent said make it easier to deal with underperforming teachers
  • 20.2 percent said give principals more authority
  • 19.7 percent said redirect the school aid formula to areas of greatest student need
  • 18.5 percent said expand school choice
  • 7.7 percent said lengthen the school day
  • 8.5 percent said not sure

The institute estimates the poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percent. Independents represented the largest number of self-identified respondents at 41.1 percent followed by Democrats, 40.1 percent, and Republicans, 14.5 percent.

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