GoLocal Statewide Poll: Just 13% of Rhode Islanders ‘Strongly Support’ Funding the PawSox Stadium

Friday, June 08, 2018

Kate Nagle, GoLocal News Editor

PawSox owners garner little support for their $40 million ask

“With taxes being the most significant challenge facing the state in the eyes of voters, building broad public support for a Paw Sox stadium deal that includes public financing of most any kind continues to be an uphill battle,” said Harvard’s John Della Volpe who conducted the statewide poll in partnership with GoLocal. The poll was released on Thursday morning.

Just 13 percent of Rhode Islanders ‘strongly support’ public financing and on 33 percent overall support state funding.

The poll question asked, “The Rhode Island General Assembly is in the process of negotiating a $40 million public financing deal with the Pawtucket Red Sox for a new stadium, hoping to bring a vote before the House and Senate this summer.

In general, do you favor or oppose the use of public funds to help finance a new stadium for the Pawtucket Red Sox?”

Net: Favor 33%

Strongly favor 13%

Somewhat favor 21%

Net: Oppose 59%

Somewhat oppose 21%

Strongly oppose 38%

Don't know 8%

John Della Volpe of Harvard

“With an understanding that the General Assembly is in the process of negotiating a $40 million public financing deal with the Pawtucket Red Sox for a new stadium -- we found that a solid majority of likely voters are opposed to the use of public funds to help finance the stadium. Nearly three-in-five (59%) likely voters tell us that they are generally opposed to the use of public funds for the stadium, including 38% who strongly oppose the measure. In contrast, one-third of voters favor public funds for this purpose -- with 13% strongly in favor,” said Della Volpe.

Della Volpe is Director of Polling at Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics.