A poll put out this week by Issues/PA, a nonprofit public interest group, tried to gauge what’s on the minds of Pennsylvanians as we begin the new year.

Not surprisingly, the economy and attracting new businesses (32 percent), fair and adequate tax system (19 percent), affordable higher education (16 percent) and retaining young people in the state (15 percent) ranked as the top four priorities.

The environment as an issue, did not make the list, although when asked about specific quality of life issues, preserving open space and farmland ranked fourth out of nine items. Creating jobs, keeping taxes low and reducing crime came first.

When asked about specific state legislative issues to be debated in the coming year - namely state support for local mass transit systems and giving voters the opportunity to approve borrowing $800 million for the Governor's Growing Greener II initiatives - Pennsylvanians surveyed were supportive.

Over two-thirds favored legislative action to provide new funding for the state's local mass transit systems. In total, 69 percent strongly favored or somewhat favored providing new funds to help local mass transit. Support is highest in Southeastern Pennsylvania (76 percent) and Southwestern Pennsylvania (71 percent) - but remains above 60 percent in other parts of the state.

Potential environmental initiatives garnered even more support. About three-quarters (74 percent) said they favored action to give voters the opportunity to approve borrowing $800 million for Gov. Rendell’s Growing Greener II. The money would be used for initiatives to preserve open space, reclaim abandoned mines and factory sites for new uses, clean up rivers and streams, and make other environmental improvements.

No question was asked about how the initiative would be paid for.

The strongest supporters of Growing Greener II are those who said loss of open space and farmland is a big problem in their region, primarily the Southeast. Some 51 percent said they're strong supporters of going forward with these initiatives, compared with 30 percent who said loss of open space isn't a big problem.

So what's the bottom line?

Based on the IssuesPA/Pew poll results, Pennsylvanians generally stand firmly behind the Growing Greener II initiative and strongly support the idea of aid for mass transit - but offer no clear way to pay for them.

NewsClip: Harrisburg Rally January 25 for Growing Greener

1/14/2005