THE STATE HOUSE NEWS POLL

SEPTEMBER, 2005

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The following are key findings from The State House News Poll, a

telephone poll of 400 adults living in Massachusetts. The poll was

conducted by KRC/Communications Research for The State House News Service

from September 14-17, 2005, using standard random-digit-dialing techniques,

and carries an overall margin of error of +/-4.8%, with a margin of error

of +/-5.0% for the subset of 364 registered voters and +/-7.3% for the

subset of 177 Democratic primary voters.

The lead findings:

BALLOT QUESTIONS:

1. GAY MARRIAGE

--The majority of Massachusetts voters, 51.9%, oppose the proposed ballot question that, if approved, would require state, local, and county governments to license and recognize only those marriages between a man and a woman, prohibiting future same-sex marriages but allowing continued recognition of those already established, while 42.6% supports this question. Stark gender, education, age, and party differences are apparent:

Total Men Women <Coll Coll Coll+ 18-39 40-64 65+ Dem Ind GOP

Support 42.6% 45.3% 40.2% 54.9% 52.4% 32.0% 29.7% 42.4% 61.5% 41.5% 36.3% 72.0%

Oppose 51.9% 47.6% 55.7% 35.4% 42.7% 62.7% 62.2% 52.9% 32.7% 54.5% 58.3% 24.0%

2. HEALTH INSURANCE

--The majority of Massachusetts voters, 62.1%, supports the proposed ballot question that, if approved, would set up a program to help small businesses and moderate-income households buy health insurance and allow the state to cover more low-income adults and children as well as certain residents who are not citizens but legally reside here, by raising money from a 60-cent-per-pack increase in the cigarette tax and from a new payroll assessment on employers who do not provide specified health insurance for their workers, while 33.0% opposes this question. Among relevant demographic subgroups, only Republicans and respondents over the age of 65 oppose this ballot question.

3. IRAQ TROOP REMOVAL

--Massachusetts voters are evenly split on the ballot question that, if approved, would require the Governor to take all necessary steps under existing laws and issue all necessary orders to bring about the immediate withdrawal from Iraq of all Massachusetts National Guard troops, with 46.7% opposing and 46.2% supporting this question. Stark gender, party, and age differences are apparent:

Total Men Women Dem Ind GOP 18-39 40-64 65+

Support 46.2% 41.8% 50.0% 61.0% 46.4% 14.0% 54.1% 46.2% 34.6%

Oppose 46.7% 55.9% 38.7% 32.5% 45.8% 80.0% 43.2% 56.2% 53.8%

4. WINE SALES IN FOOD STORES

--Massachusetts voters, by a margin of 76.4%-22.3%, overwhelmingly support the ballot question that, if approved, would allow local licensing authorities to issue licenses for food stores to sell wine. This question is supported by more than 60% of all relevant demographic subgroups.

GUBERNATORIAL POLITICS

--Very little has changed in hypothetical match-ups for governor in the 2006 general election when Mitt Romney is posed as the potential Republican nominee, but Kerry Healey fares far worse than does Romney:

Tom Reilly maintains a narrow lead over Mitt Romney, 45%-40% (as opposed to

47%-44% in July, 2005, 48%-38% in May, 2005, and 49%-40% in March, 2005), which is a statistically-insignificant dead heat within the 4.8% margin of error,

Bill Galvin (40% now, 40% in July, 2005, 42% in May, 2005, 44% in March, 2005) remains statistically tied with Mitt Romney (43% now, 49% in July, 2005,

41% both May and March, 2005),

Mitt Romney remains ahead of Deval Patrick, 46%-29% (similar to 50%-35% in July, 2005, 46%-34% in May, 2005 and 46%-33% in March, 2005).

On the other hand, Tom Reilly has a statistically significant lead over Kerry Healey, 49%-28%. Bill Galvin’s lead over Healey of 43%-32% is just outside the 5% margin of error while Deval Patrick trails Healey (but within the margin

of error) by 36%-31%.

The difference in Romney’s strength as opposed to Healey’s is largely due to Romney’s advantage over Healey in statewide name recognition and favorability.

Romney maintains the majority-favorable personal rating that he achieved in our last polls in July, May, and March. Not surprisingly, Romney, like Healey,

is best-regarded by Republicans and worst-regarded by Democrats but maintains positive ratings virtually across the board:

NAME RECOGNITION FAVORABLE UNFAVORABLE

Romney Now 99% 54% 37%

Healey Now 90% 36% 21%

Romney Past:

July, 2005 99% 55% 37%

May, 2005 97% 52% 34%

March, 2005 99% 55% 41%

Romney’s job rating also remains statistically similar to that of our last polls:

EXC/ABOVE AVE AVERAGE BELOW AVE/POOR

Mitt Romney: Now 47% 8% 44%

July, 2005 48% 8% 43%

May, 2005 44% 5% 49%

March, 2005 46% 9% 44%

In a hypothetical 2006 3-way Democratic primary for governor, Tom Reilly leads with 36%, followed by Bill Galvin at 17% and Deval Patrick at 7%.

MASSACHUSETTS IN GENERAL

--While 48% (the same as in July, as opposed to 43% in May and 46% in March) of Massachusetts residents say things in the state are generally going in the right direction, 39% (as opposed to 42% in July, 45% in May, and 39% in March) say things are seriously off on the wrong track. As in July, May, and March, younger respondents are far more optimistic than older respondents.