Articles

(May 2004) With the legislature expected to tackle the issue of legalized gambling in the weeks ahead, Pennsylvanians seem willing to consider other high-priority uses - beyond efforts to reduce property taxes - for proposed gambling revenue. This emerging trend is based on results of the latest IssuesPA/Pew poll conducted in April.

Over 6 in 10 Pennsylvanians who participated in the April poll said they supported slot machines in the state, with 33% of Pennsylvanians strongly supporting and 31% somewhat supporting the measure. At the same time, 34% opposed slot machines, with 14% somewhat opposed and 20% strongly opposed.

What are other trends?

While support remains steady for legalized gambling, it's clearly not fixed. About half said they felt strongly about the issue - either strongly for or strongly against. The other half (45%) only somewhat supported or opposed legalized gambling, which implies that overall support for legalized gambling in Pennsylvania may be somewhat soft. Implications? How the money is spent and how the legislation is written will make a big difference in their opinions.

When it comes to how to divide the proceeds, Pennsylvanians aren't united in their thinking - and many have more than one favorite. While 48% of participants said they strongly supported using gambling revenue to reduce property taxes 10%, they also strongly supported other uses for the money. Nearly 60% said gambling revenue would be better targeted for increased spending on state priorities such as healthcare, public safety and economic development. Further, 53% said the money would be put to better use in closing the spending gap between rich and poor school districts. Reducing taxes on individuals, such as the income tax, also received significant support - 39%.

Click here to for details about percent of Pennsylvanians supporting gambling and the potential uses of proceeds.

According to the poll, Pennsylvanians opposed two uses of the revenues that policymakers have advanced: major projects such as convention centers, sports facilities and airports (58% opposed); and improving the competitiveness of the state's horse racing industry (62% opposed).

What about Pennsylvania's local tax dilemma?

Pennsylvanians still are united in their distaste for new taxes. Based on poll results, anti-tax sentiment in Pennsylvania is as strong, if not stronger, than it was last year. Eight in 10 state residents (81%) said the amount of taxes they must pay is at least somewhat of a problem for their family, and 4 in 10 (42%) said it's a big problem. A majority (62%) said the taxes individuals in Pennsylvania must pay are too high.

This concern about their own wallets and pocketbooks comes into play in proposals for new funds for education. As for providing more money for schools, relatively few Pennsylvanians said they personally would pay higher property taxes (23%), pay higher state income or sales taxes (35%) or contribute money in addition to what they pay in taxes (28%) in order to improve the schools. However, a large majority (78%) supported using the proceeds from new slot machines at racetracks and other locations to reduce the funding gap between rich and poor school districts; 53% said they strongly supported that notion.

Bottom line? The concept of using gambling revenues to offset taxes continues to resonate with Pennsylvanians. But so does using the revenue to address other state priorities such as health care and public safety, and to reduce the spending gap between rich and poor school districts. The plot thickens.