Do Pennsylvanians want Gov. Rendell to reduce spending or increase taxes?

Pennsylvanians overwhelming say...

Poll Question: "As you know Pennsylvania is facing a financial crisis.  Please tell me whether you approve or disapprove of each of the following ideas to increase state income:"

"Increase the sales tax"

Approve = 18.6%

Disapprove = 78.4%

Don't Know = 3.0%

"Increase the income tax"

Approve = 17.7%

Disapprove = 79.1%

Don't Know = 3.2%

Poll Question: "Please tell me whether you approve or disapprove each of the following ideas to reduce state spending:"

"Privatize the state liquor stores"

Approve = 58.1%

Disapprove = 32.8%

Don't Know = 9.2%

"Reduce the number of public employees"

Approve = 51.5%

Disapprove = 43.0%

Don't Know = 5.5%

*  Mansfield University poll (February 9-27, 2003 of 2,200 respondents with a margin of error of +/- 2.1%)

Poll Question:  "To balance the state budget, if you had to choose, would you prefer raising taxes or cutting government programs?"

57% = cut government programs

29% = raise taxes

14% = undecided

*  Quinnipiac University poll (February 12-18, 2003 of 1,099 Pennsylvania registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 3%)

Poll Question:  "If current state tax revenues fall short of budget projections, should the General Assembly and Governor Rendell reduce spending and eliminate government programs, or increase taxes and maintain current programs?"

57% = reduce spending and eliminate government programs

22% = increase taxes and maintain current programs

20% = undecided

*  The Pulse Poll (January 21-23, 2003 of 702 Pennsylvania registered voters with a margin of error of +\- 3.70%)