Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, May 29, 1995 TAG: 9505300114
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
The poll, conducted by the Richmond Times-Dispatch and WWBT-TV, showed that 38 percent of those surveyed favor a Republican takeover in the November legislative elections, while 33 percent prefer continued Democratic dominance. However, 29 percent were undecided or gave no answer.
The poll has a margin of error of 5 percentage points, which suggests that neither party has a clear advantage.
The poll is based on interviews conducted May 17-25 with 484 registered voters.
Republicans are within striking distance of their first-ever legislative majority, holding 47 of 100 seats in the House of Delegates and 18 of 40 seats in the Senate.
The elections are vital for both parties. Gov. George Allen needs a Republican takeover to help revive his conservative agenda, which was battered by Democrats during the recent General Assembly session. Democrats, humbled by the loss of the governorship after 12 years, are desperate to preserve their last significant political bulwark.
The survey also revealed declining support for Allen from last year.
Fifty-nine percent of those surveyed approved of the way Allen is doing his job, compared with 78 percent in a September poll.
Allen was elected in November 1993. Traditionally, Virginia governors approaching midterm enjoy high favorable ratings. However, Allen's predecessor, Democrat Douglas Wilder, saw his plunge into the 20th percentile, largely because of public anger over his presidential candidacy.
One bright spot for Allen was that 46 percent of those questioned liked his idea of returning lottery profits to localities, even if it means reductions in state services.
The survey also found that if given a choice, 62 percent would prefer a cut in local personal property taxes, to 38 percent who wanted to cut the state sales or income tax.
Allen proposed a $2.1 billion tax cut that would have reduced or eliminated state levies for most middle- and lower-income Virginians, and scuttled a locally imposed licensing and gross-receipts tax on business. The legislature rejected both proposals.
Allen said he was pleased with the findings.
``That's fine,'' he said. ``We are trying to change things.''
by CNB