State voters don’t support the construction of more casinos, though their opposition doesn’t come without nuance, according to a Quinnipiac University Poll released Wednesday.
Of the 1,239 residents Quinnipiac polled between March 6 and March 9, 75 percent don’t support more casinos in Connecticut, though 62 percent feel casinos are good for the state.
The opposition came despite the fact that 69 percent felt it was better for gamblers to spend their money in Connecticut than elsewhere.
But there was slightly less opposition — 59 percent — to a proposal unveiled Tuesday to build several satellite casinos near the Massachusetts and New York borders. Younger voters, aged 18 to 35, support that proposal 54-46.
Opposition to tolls, support for marijuana
Respondents also don’t want the state to establish highway tolls, with 61 percent against and 36 percent in favor. That gap narrowed when voters were asked about spending the money raised specifically on roads and bridges. Under that “lockbox” scenario — which Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has proposed — respondents opposed tolls 59-40.
Meanwhile, the poll found that 63 percent of residents support legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use, while 67 percent want to reduce the penalty for possession of small amounts of illegal drugs from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Malloy’s approval rating slips to negative territory
The Q Poll also found that Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has a negative approval rating of 43-47. It’s the first time Malloy has been in negative territory since May 2014, QU said.
Respondents also disapprove of the legislature’s handling of its job, 46-39.
Asked an open-ended question about what the governor’s top priority should be, 22 percent said economy/jobs and 18 percent said taxes.
