RI’s Still Dissatisfied About Direction, Supports Charter Schools, Tourism and Legalized Marijuana

RI’s Still Dissatisfied About Direction, Supports Charter Schools, Tourism and Legalized Marijuana

Rhode Islanders continue to be disappointed in how things are going in Rhode Island. According to Brown’s poll released on Sunday, 54 percent of Rhode Islanders think the state is on “the wrong track.” Only 33.2 percent believe RI is moving in the right direction.

"This is the Rhode Island way of thinking -- it's pretty steady in our polling," said James Morone, Brown Professor of Political Science and Director of the Taubman Center. "The last poll we did was 40% and now it's down to 33%.  In the context of RI, it's really hard to get Rhode Islanders to say we're on the "right track," so it's not an eye popping figure. What is interesting is that whites say we're on the wrong track more than black and Latino Rhode Islanders, who say we're on the right track."

Charter Schools

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The poll also found that while the legislature is trying to freeze and cut the number of charter schools, that Rhode Islanders strongly support the expansion of the number.  

The poll finds that 59 percent support or strongly support the expansion and only 27.8 percent oppose the expansion.

"We were completely surprised, with all the fuss around them right now," said Morone "As you go up the education rankings, i.e. high school degree to advanced degree voters, the approval rating goes up." 

Rhode Islanders Support Tourism

Despite the chaotic launch of the Rhode Island tourism campaign complete with footage of Iceland, more than 62 percent of Rhode Islanders support spending to promote tourism. Only 30.1 percent oppose state spending.

Legalization of Marijuana

When asked, “Thinking beyond Medical Marijuana, do you support or oppose changing the law in Rhode Island, to regulate and tax the use of Marijuana, similarly to Alcohol? — a majority of Rhode Islanders support legalization. 

According to the poll, 55.1 percent support and only 36.1 oppose legalization of marijuana. No state in New England has legalized, but Governor Gina Raimondo has proposed a non-binding resolution to gauge voter support. This poll is consistent with a poll released by advocates of legalization released last year that found 57 percent of Rhode Islanders support legalization.

Presently, Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and Washington have legalized marijuana.