As state lawmakers and the governor struggle to work out a consensus on transportation, a new poll indicates the issue isn’t high on Pennsylvania voters’ list of wants.

Announced by the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (PBPC), a Harrisburg-based, liberal-leaning think tank, the poll conducted by Lake Research Partners, found only 6 percent of respondents “personally most want the governor and state legislature to do something about” funding for roads and bridges.

The poll, whose questions focus on education issues, found that the top issue for respondents (28 percent) is education and funding for public schools, followed closely by 27 percent stating economic development and jobs was tops for them.

“Elected officials should carefully examine the fact that all voters, and especially women who vote, are as concerned about the cuts to public schools as they are about the economy,” said Donna Cooper, Executive Director of Public Citizens for Children and Youth, which, along with PBPC, commissioned the poll. “That’s a remarkable change in public opinion and speaks to a very high level of public concern for what’s happening to our schools.”

After education and jobs, the poll found that 15 percent said healthcare was most important, 13 percent said taxes, 6 percent said roads and bridges, 5 percent said crime and drugs, 3 percent said the environment, two percent said other, and one percent said they didn’t know.

Lake Research Partners conducted the telephone survey of 604 likely 2014 general election voters in Pennsylvania between June 19 and June 23. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent.

This is the second poll in the last couple of months that showed a low level of support for fixing transportation funding. An April poll by the Harper Polling Firm, and commissioned by United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1776, reported only 12 percent of that poll’s 500 respondents said transportation is a top priority for elected state officials to accomplish.

Capitolwire.com – June 24, 2013