Schools, jobs tops for Virginians

BY JEFF E. SCHAPIRO
Media General News Service
Published: May 29, 2008

Politicians talk a lot about transportation, but Virginians are mostly focused on education and jobs.

The Commonwealth Poll, by Virginia Commonwealth University, shows transportation lagging public schools, employment and — possibly — the environment as the public’s top priorities. Respondents could list multiple issues as top priorities.

Sixty-seven percent say public schools should be the first concern of state government. That’s followed by employment at 54 percent, and the environment, 49 percent.

Transportation, subject of a special session of the General Assembly beginning June 23, is at 46 percent.

But given the poll’s margin of error — 3 percentage points in either direction — roads and rail could be in a statistical tie with the environment as well as illegal immigration, at 45 percent.

The poll, conducted May 12-18, is based on telephone interviews with 1,003 adults, of whom 852 identified themselves as registered voters.

The Commonwealth Poll shows that voter priorities vary with party affiliation. However, schools and transportation ranked first and fourth, respectively, with Democrats and Republicans.

Priorities among Democrats: schools, 75 percent; jobs, 64 percent; environment, 63 percent; transportation, 52 percent; mental health, 49 percent; and illegal immigration, 36 percent.

Among Republicans: schools, 62 percent; illegal immigration, 51 percent; jobs, 44 percent; transportation, 40 percent; environment, 36 percent; and mental health, 28 percent.

Jeff E. Schapiro is a staff writer at the Richmond Times-Dispatch.