SHU Poll Finds Strong Support for Lamont’s Handling of Pandemic
Respondents also gave their opinions on health insurance, housing and legalized marijuana
A new phone and digital poll by Sacred Heart University’s Institute for Public Policy found that almost three-quarters (70.7%) of the 1,000 Connecticut residents who responded approved of the way Gov. Ned Lamont is handling the pandemic. That number is an increase over the results of an October poll, in which 67% of respondents approved.
The poll, completed between Feb. 16 and 21, also explored the debate over legalizing recreational marijuana, public health insurance options in Connecticut, state-funded pensions and quality of life in the state. Several of the survey responses in the poll analysis were compared to similar inquiries posed to residents last October.
Residents generally approved of Lamont’s ongoing communication to the public (73.6%, over 71.2% in October). Respondents also support how he is addressing a plan for Connecticut residents and families, consistent with 58.3% in October. Additionally, 51.2% approve of the way Lamont is handling a plan for businesses in the state, which is slightly down from the last poll (53.1% in October).
The majority of Connecticut residents surveyed in February (55.9%) said they approved of how Lamont is carrying out his job as governor, which is higher than the 53.5% who reported on the same question in October. The breakdown by affiliation is 38.6% approval among Republicans (18% unsure); 49% approval among unaffiliated voters (27.1% unsure); 51.3% approval among independent voters (23.1% unsure); and 77.2% approval among Democrats (14.4% unsure).
Despite the challenges facing Connecticut and the nation, 68.3% of surveyed Connecticut residents reported in February that their quality of life is either excellent (16.8%) or good (51.5%), a slight decrease from the 69.1% who answered that way in October. Additionally, fewer February respondents believe the quality of life in Connecticut is declining (16.9%), compared to those who reported the same in October (18.3%).
Measuring Connecticut responses to COVID-19 crisis
Regarding other questions related to the handling of COVID-19 issues, residents responded as follows:
- 1% do not believe the homeless population should be prioritized for the COVID-19 vaccine, but the majority (57.7%) believe that age and risk factors such as medical conditions in this population should be the primary focus
- When asked what should be implemented or considered to keep the homeless population safe from COVID-19 infection, 26.5% of respondents supported distribution of government-provided personal protection equipment, 21.3% supported immediate access to vaccines, and 18% said the state should ensure COVID-19 education through facilities like shelters and food pantries
- 8% of surveyed Connecticut residents support individuals’ ability to choose not to receive a vaccine because of their religious beliefs
- 2% of respondents said they are aware of programs available to Connecticut businesses that provide funding as a result of pandemic-related economic losses
- When asked how long financial assistance should be available to businesses as a result of the pandemic, 61.7% chose either the next six months (25.9%) or the next year (35.8%)
- Overall, 50.1% of respondents believe the state has supported businesses well during the pandemic
- 5% of Connecticut residents would support executive orders to prevent housing evictions
- 82% believe eviction moratoriums have had a negative impact on landlords
Weighing in on health insurance coverage, state pension issues
In a question about health insurance coverage that was in place prior to the pandemic, 28.2% were insured with a preferred provider organization (PPO) and 24.1% were insured through Medicare. Under current health insurance coverage, 27% are insured with a PPO and 24.6% are covered through Medicare.
Most respondents surveyed (91%) reported their current health insurance package covers medical services, 75.4% had prescription drug services, 66.7% had dental insurance and 63% had vision insurance. Regarding the strength of their support or opposition to an increase in government-sponsored health-care options, 66.8% either strongly support (33.9%) or somewhat support (32.9%) increasing government-sponsored initiatives.
As for the impact of potentially eliminating state-funded retirement, 42.2% of surveyed Connecticut residents were aware of the potential impact, while 43.8% said they were not aware and 14% were unsure. Comparatively, 39.4% of survey participants claimed to be aware of the stability level of the Connecticut State Employee Retirement Fund.
Furthermore, 54.3% of surveyed residents believe Connecticut state pensions should be reformed, 32.5% indicated they were unsure, and 13.2% said state pensions should not be reformed. On a related note, 41% 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.
Support high for legalization of recreational marijuana
The majority of Connecticut residents surveyed in February (66.2%) support the legalization of recreational marijuana use and possession for adults age 21 and older. While 40.8% of respondents agreed marijuana is a “gateway drug” that leads to using other drugs/substances, the majority (71.8%) believe marijuana has either fewer effects (37.5%) or the same amount (34.3%) as alcohol. Of note, 73.4% believe marijuana has fewer effects than other drugs, such as heroin, amphetamines and prescription pain medications, while 12.7% reported the same effects, 4.1% reported more effects and 9.8% were unsure.
If marijuana were legalized, 62.1% of surveyed residents would support the erasure of criminal records for those previously convicted of recreational use or possession.
“Considering the trauma Connecticut residents have been through this past year relative to the pandemic, support for the governor’s handling of this public health and economic crisis has been generally positive, and quality-of-life metrics in the state remain high,” said Lesley DeNardis, executive director of the Institute for Public Policy and director of Sacred Heart University’s master of public administration (MPA) degree program.
DeNardis said some of the topics used in this poll were chosen by Sacred Heart University MPA students, based on agenda items from Connecticut’s current legislative session. “Residents continue to demonstrate strong support for legalizing recreational marijuana and a strong level of empathy for everyone affected by this pandemic, including businesses, landlords and the homeless,” she said.
Polling was conducted on behalf of the SHU Institute for Public Policy, in partnership with GreatBlue Research, which administered the 42-question, Connecticut-specific scientific telephone survey. 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 & Sciences, is aligned with the University’s master of public administration degree 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.
Photo of Governor Ned Lamont by Timothy Koster (August 2020)