August 29, 2015
Pennsylvania is headed in the wrong direction and elected officials are to blame, according to a new poll.
The survey, released by Franklin & Marshall College's Center for Opinion Research Thursday, found that 54 percent of those polled felt the state was on the wrong track and 22 percent viewed politicians and government as the biggest issues, trumping several other problems.
Other statewide issues were addressed in the poll, including the budget impasse between Democratic Governor Tom Wolf and a Republican-controlled state legislature as well as charges brought against Attorney General Kathleen Kane.
Budget negotiations have stalled, as Wolf considers conceding offers from Republican lawmakers after vetoing their original plan, according to Newsworks. The budget is two months past due.
The poll found that more placed blame on the legislature (54 percent) than Wolf (29 percent), while those who viewed the governor favorably (43 percent) outnumbered those who viewed him unfavorably (26 percent)
Kane has been charged with leaking grand jury information in the hopes of political payback. She has aggressively proclaimed her innocence while recent reports say she is facing a potential suspension of her law license, which would force her from office.
A majority didn't believe she should resign (46 percent), but 54 percent of those surveyed thought the state legislature should vote to impeach her and have her removed from office, with 23 percent disagreeing and 25 percent unsure.
The poll was conducted from Aug. 17-24, surveying 605 registered Pennsylvania voters. It had a margin of error of 3.9 percentage points.
