Floridians narrowly support the creation of casino resorts even though most of them believe that they would be good for the state's economy, a new poll released Tuesday found.
The poll, by Quinnipiac University, also found that Florida voters overwhelmingly oppose the idea of cutting Medicaid spending to put more money into education.
Polled residents also gave Gov. Rick Scott a negative 38-50 job approval rating, up slightly from the same poll in September.
On gambling, 48 percent of those polled said they support expanded casino gambling in the state, while 43 percent are opposed and 9 percent don't know. The question they were asked was: "Do you support or oppose the creation of non-Indian casinos in Florida, similar to those in Atlantic City and Las Vegas?"
Despite that slim margin of support, a much larger group believes they would help the economy, even if they don't want them here. By a 61-33 percent margin, respondents said they thought casino gambling would boost the economy.
"Creating Las Vegas style, non-Indian casinos in Florida gets a narrow thumbs up from the voters," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, "But there are interesting partisan, gender and educational and age differences." Republicans split 46 - 48 percent on casinos, while support is 51 - 40 percent among Democrats and 53 - 39 percent among independent voters. Women are divided 44 - 45 percent, while men favor casinos 53 - 40 percent. By a 73-22 margin, respondents said they don't believe casino gambling is morally wrong.
Voters also say Florida's economy is worse rather than better since Scott took office by a 34-16 margin, and 65 percent of those who say it is worse blame Scott. But among the 16 percent who believe it has improved, 81 percent of them say Scott should get the credit.
Scott's budget calls for $1 billion in additional spending on education, and would have lawmakers balance the budget in part by reducing spending in Medicaid, the health care program for the poor.
"Gov. Rick Scott's proposal to reduce Medicaid spending and use part of that money for education gets a big no from the voters. The best he gets is a 59 - 30 percent no from Republicans," said Brown.
Women oppose Medicaid spending to boost education by 63 to 25 percent.
Scott has said that Floridians have told him, however, that education is a top priority. In his State of the State address later Tuesday, he plans to tell lawmakers he won't budge off the request to add $1 billion to education spending. Some of that money is needed to accommodate new students, and the rest would make up for falling local tax revenues and replace some money that was cut last year.
Scott got some good news, at least on the partisan front. His own party is starting to warm to him. Republicans approve of Scott 67 - 22 percent. Democrats and independents drag down his approval rating, with 75 percent of Democrats disapproving and 54 percent of independents.
"Scott needs to bring home more of his own party members and improve his standing among independents," said Brown. Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio has a 50 percent job approval, while Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, who faces re-election this year, has a 47 approval rating with 30 percent disapproving. The Legislature has a negative 33 - 49 percent approval rating. From January 4 - 8, Quinnipiac surveyed 1,412 registered voters with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points. Live interviewers called land lines and cell phones.
By DAVID ROYSE
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45942534/ns/local_news-fort_myers_fl/
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