SHU Poll Finds Continued Strong Support for the State’s COVID-19 Response and Communication
Connecticut residents largely support legalization of recreational marijuana
A new phone and digital poll by Sacred Heart University’s Institute for Public Policy, completed between March 23 and March 31, 2021, asked 1,000 Connecticut residents questions about Governor Ned Lamont’s and the state’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, probed the Governor’s overall performance and asked residents to assess their current quality of life. It also measured opinions on public health insurance options in Connecticut, state-funded pensions and support for the legalization of recreational marijuana. Many of the survey responses were compared to similar inquiries posed to respondents just several weeks ago in February 2021.
Reflecting signs of optimism and kudos for the state’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis, residents were largely supportive of pandemic-related communication and actions, and overall quality-of-life ratings in Connecticut continued to rise.
Many respondents (59.3%) approve of the way Governor Lamont is addressing plans for Connecticut residents and families (an increase over 58.3% in February 2021), and 52.7% approve of how he is addressing plans for businesses (over 51.2% in February 2021). Ratings for communication to the public remained consistent (73.2% from 73.6% in February 2021) as did metrics for his overall response and handling of the COVID-19 crisis (70.1% from 70.7% in February 2021).
The Governor’s performance ratings, overall, continued to rise, with 57.3% of Connecticut residents saying they approve of how he is handling his job as governor, which is higher than the 55.9% who reported the same in February 2021.
Meanwhile, the pandemic has continued to take a toll on behavioral health, as 31% of respondents say their mental health has declined due to COVID-19. Yet even with this concern, 71.2% reported their quality of life as being either excellent (17.3%) or good (53.9%), which marked an increase from the 68.3% who reported the same in February of 2021. Respondents also indicated that the decline in quality of life in Connecticut was dropping between February and March 2021 (14.9% in March, compared to 16.9% in February).
Protecting housing, homeless, businesses and choice during the pandemic
Regarding other COVID-19-related issues, 53.7% of surveyed Connecticut residents said they would support executive orders to prevent housing evictions (down from 57.5% in February 2021). Also, 40.8% do not believe the homeless population should be prioritized for the COVID-19 vaccine (from 44.1% in February 2021). At the same time, 59.1% said that when considering which of the homeless population should receive the COVID-19 vaccine, both age and risk factors (medical conditions) should be prioritized (over 57.7% from February).
When asked what should be done to keep the homeless population safe from the spread of the virus, 29.6% of respondents support a protocol to provide immediate access to vaccines (up from 21.3% in February 2021). Additionally, 23.4% support protocols to distribute Government-provided Personal Protection Equipment (down from 26.5%), and 14.4% support access to COVID education through facilities like shelters and food pantries (down from 18% in February).
Regarding religious issues and vaccination, 43.7% of residents would either strongly support (23.8%) or somewhat support (19.9%) the ability for individuals to choose not to receive a vaccine based on their religious beliefs (down slightly from 45.8% in February 2021).
Residents also shared their beliefs regarding business support and closings during the pandemic. When estimating what percentage of Connecticut businesses have closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, 10% indicated less than 20% of businesses have closed, and 18.1% estimated 50% or more closures. Of note, 40% of respondents were unsure (consistent with 39.2% in February 2021).
Meanwhile, 46.6% said they were aware of the programs available to Connecticut businesses that provide pandemic-related funding (down from 48.2% in February 2021). When asked how long financial assistance should be given to businesses as a result of the pandemic, 57.8% indicated either for the next six months (26.1%) or for the next year (31.7%). Overall, 55.4% of respondents believe the state has supported businesses well during the pandemic (up from 50.1% in February 2021).
Measuring health insurance and coverage options
When prompted to describe their level of health insurance prior to the pandemic, 25.9% were insured with a PPO plan (preferred provider organization), down from 28.2% in February 2021; and 25.2% were insured through Medicare (over 24.1%). Comparatively, when asked to describe their current level of health insurance, 25.2% indicated they were insured with a PPO plan (from 27%) and 24.1% indicated Medicare (from 24.6%).
Regarding coverage, 88.4% reported their current health insurance package covered medical services (from 91% in February 2021); 76.2% indicated prescription drug services (over 75.4%); 65% had dental services (down from 66.7%); and 63.7% had vision services (over 63%).
When asked how strongly they support or oppose an increase in the amount of government-sponsored health care options, 66.8% indicated they support the initiative (consistent with the same number in February 2021).
Support for legalizing recreational marijuana
The majority of Connecticut residents surveyed in March 2021 (65.7%) support the legalization of recreational marijuana for use and possession by adults 21 and older. While generally supporting legalization, 48.1% agree the legalization of marijuana would result in a significant increase in the number of individuals operating vehicles under the influence.
The majority of Connecticut residents surveyed (77%) believe marijuana has either fewer effects (42.4%) or the same effects (34.6%) as alcohol (over 71.8% in February 2021). In contrast, 72.3% believe marijuana has fewer effects than other drugs such as heroin, amphetamines and prescription pain medications. If marijuana were legalized, 62.3% of those surveyed would support the erasure of criminal records for those previously convicted of recreational offenses/possession (consistent with 62.1% in February 2021).
Finally, in additional general findings:
- 4% of surveyed Connecticut residents say they are aware of the potential impacts of eliminating state-funded retirement (over 42.2% in February 2021)
- 3% believe Connecticut state pensions should be reformed (from 54.3% in February 2021)
- 4% of respondents support the elimination of income and capital gains taxes to prevent tax-free pensions, rather than “paying in” to help stabilize the budget (up from 41% in February 2021).
“This poll was conducted on the heels of a similar survey in February to help determine how Connecticut residents are faring more than a year into the pandemic and to see if attitudes are changing or improving as vaccination rates in the state climb,” said Lesley DeNardis, executive director of the Institute for Public Policy and director of Sacred Heart University’s master of public administration (MPA) program. “Residents continue showing significant concern for those affected by this pandemic, including businesses, tenants and the homeless, and they indicate strong support for legalizing recreational marijuana.” The questions used in both the February and March polls, she added, were chosen by Sacred Heart University MPA students based on agenda items from Connecticut’s current legislative session.
Actual polling was conducted on behalf of the SHU Institute for Public Policy, in partnership with GreatBlue Research, which administered the 45-question, Connecticut-specific telephone and digital survey interviewing 1,000 residents. Statistically, this sampling represents a margin for error of +/-3.02 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.
Sacred Heart’s Institute for Public Policy, which was established in 2017 in the College of Arts and Sciences, is aligned with the University’s master of public administration program. In addition to hosting state-wide polls, the Institute conducts public policy research, hosts public forums and workshops and serves as a public-policy learning incubator for students.