Referendum language sways support for casinos, poll shows
By DAN O'REGAN
According to a new Siena poll, New York voters are likely to support a constitutional amendment allowing Las Vegas style casinos to be built in New York state. However, the wording of the amendment on the ballot is suspected to sway the voters' opinions.
When asked whether they "support or oppose passing an amendment to the state Constitution to allow non-Indian, Las Vegas style casinos to be built in New York," voters were evenly divided, 46 to 46 percent, down from 49 to 42 percent support last month.
When given the specific wording of the amendment on the ballot in November and asked if they would vote to approve an amendment to "allow the Legislature to authorize up to seven casinos in New York state for the legislated purposes of promoting job growth, increasing aid to schools and permitting local governments to lower property taxes through revenues generated," 55 percent said yes they would approve it, compared to 42 percent who said no they would not.
"While more voters support the amendment and think it's fairly worded, there is more intensity on the opposition side," Siena college pollster Steven Greenberg said. "Only seven percent of supporters say they will be very upset if the amendment fails, while 22 percent of opponents say they will be very upset if it passes. Overall, 40 percent of supporters will be at least somewhat upset if it fails but more than two thirds of opponents will be at least somewhat upset if it passes."
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http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2013-09-30-85258.113122-Referendum-language-sways-support-for-casinos-poll-shows.html