Harvard's John Della Volpe -- GoLocal's polling partner
The GoLocalProv/Harvard’s Della Volpe Poll unveils Rhode Islanders' opinions on everything from their views on the biggest political match-ups, critical business, and healthcare issues.
John Della Volpe's Rhode Island statewide poll unveils that Rhode Islanders overwhelmingly believe that Governor Gina Raimondo should return $12,500 in campaign donations from the Sackler family.
The Sackler family are the billionaire owners of Purdue Pharma which is being sued by the state of Rhode Island for its role in causing the opioid crisis linked to hundreds of thousands of deaths in America. More than a thousand Rhode Islanders have died of overdoses during Raimondo’s tenure as Governor.
The poll found that 71 percent of Rhode Islanders believe Raimondo should return the money, and 15 percent she should keep the money. And, 14% percent said they don’t know.
Both local and national voices have called for Raimondo to return the political donations.
Raimondo has refused to return donations from Sackers - 71% think she should
Two leading national artist activists artist Domenic Esposito and Stamford, CT Gallery owner Fernando Luis Alvarez joined GoLocalProv News Editor Kate Nagle on GoLocal LIVE in September, “So it’s okay to take money from them but not from Pablo Escobar or El Chapo in Mexico? It’s the same thing — it’s probably worse, because they have sugar coated it,” said Alvarez. “Have they become so cynical and weak to the point where some Americans have become complacent to this?”
GoLocalProv columnist Bob Whitcomb has also urged Raimondo to return the donations in a recent column, “The Raimondo campaign is very well-heeled and doesn’t need the money. Returning it would make a strong statement about the evil done by the intensely avaricious and status-obsessed Sackler family, who control Purdue and made a fortune from peddling Oxycontin (and are famous for giving money to already rich institutions and then having their name plastered on their walls).”
Raimondo has repeatedly refused to return the donations.
GoLocal CEO Josh Fenton and News Editor Kate Nagle breakdown the poll
Education - Free College, School Resource Officers, Students Bill of Rights
The poll found that the majority of Rhode Islanders believe that the free tuition program which is now available at the Community College of Rhode Island should be expanded to the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College.
According to the poll 55 percent support expanding the program, 40 percent oppose and 5 percent don’t have an opinion.
One of the issue with the strongest support of the entire poll is the idea of an Educational Bill of Rights for students and parents — 84 percent support the idea. More impressively strong support is 51 percent and strongly oppose is just 2 percent.
Now in October, Whitehouse has moved 2 percent of the undecided and Flanders has remained stagnant.
If the election for the U.S. Senate were held today and the candidates were: [ROTATE] Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse and Republican Robert Flanders, for whom would you vote?
Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat: 56%
Robert Flanders, a Republican: 32%
Don't know: 12%
Nagle and Harvard's John Della Volpe discuss the 2018 Governor's race
SEE ALL THE RESULTS BELOW
Related Slideshow: GoLocal Statewide Poll - FULL RESULTS, Conducted by Harvard’s Della Volpe Oct. 2018
Sponsor: GoLocal Prov
Sample: N=502 Rhode Island General Election Voters
Interviewing Period: October 5 – October 9, 2018
Directed by: John Della Volpe, Harvard University, SocialSphere, Inc.
Slideshow: responses are not in the order of the questionnaire
This question is about the total income of YOUR HOUSEHOLD for the PAST 12 MONTHS. Please include your income PLUS the income of all members living in your household (including cohabiting partners and armed forces members living at home).
What particular ethnic group or nationality - such as English, French, Italian, Irish, Latino, Jewish, African American, and so forth - do you consider yourself a part of or feel closest to?
When it comes to voting, do you consider yourself to be affiliated with the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, Moderate, or Unaffiliated with a major party?
In November, there will be a statewide general election for Governor and many other state offices. How likely is it that you will vote in this election? Will you definitely be voting, will you probably be voting, are you 50-50...
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Will ensure that we have high-quality affordable health care.
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Will make government more accountable to the people.
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Is committed to improving education in public schools.
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
If the election for Governor were held today and the candidates were: [ROTATE] Democrat Gina Raimondo, Republican Allan Fung and Independent Joe Trillo, for whom would you vote?
Attorney generals in several states have begun investigating sexual abuse by Roman Catholic clergy, opening investigations and issuing subpoenas for documents.
Do you favor or oppose the Rhode Island Attorney General opening an investigation into the Archdiocese of Providence on issues related to possible sexual abuse of children?
If the election for the U.S. Senate were held today and the candidates were: [ROTATE] Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse and Republican Robert Flanders, for whom would you vote?
Recently, it was announced that state officials approved a fast-track regulatory review of Massachusetts based Partners HealthCare’s proposed takeover of Care New England, Rhode Island’s second-largest hospital system, and operator Women & Infants, Butler and Kent Hospitals. [RANDOMIZED]
Do you believe the quality of care for Rhode Islanders will:
Recently, it was announced that state officials approved a fast-track regulatory review of Massachusetts based Partners HealthCare’s proposed takeover of Care New England, Rhode Island’s second-largest hospital system, and operator Women & Infants, Butler and Kent Hospitals. [RANDOMIZED]
Do you believe the number of jobs available to Rhode Islanders will:
Earlier this year, legislation was filed in the General Assembly that would require that all Rhode Island public schools have a school resource officer on the premises -- if a school has over 1,200 students -- two school resource officers would need to be present.
Do you support or oppose expanding Rhode Island’s free college tuition program at the
Community College of Rhode Island to the state’s two four-year colleges so that the last two
years of tuition at Rhode Island College and URI would be free for those recent high school
graduates, who are in a solid academic standing, and on track to graduate in four years? It is estimated that the cost of the program would be $35 million.
Do you support or oppose an Educational Bill of Rights for students and parents in Rhode Island that includes:
1) The right to be taught by effective teachers.
2) The right not to be taught by teachers who, after due process evaluation, fail to meet standards established by state and local education officials.
3) The right to appropriate academic materials and resources.
4) The right to safe, clean and environmental-friendly school facilities.
5) The right to emotionally supportive schools that do not tolerate harassment, discrimination or abuse.
6) The right to attend a school where funding is based on student need with the goal of providing
access to adequate educational opportunities.
7) The right to a pathway out of a failing school.
8) The right to a fair, accurate and transparent assessment system that measures student
performance and need.
9) The right of parents to current and reliable information about their child’s progress and performance.