Missourians appear ready to increase the tax on cigarettes and to remove state control of the St. Louis Police Department, according to a new statewide poll.
The tobacco tax hike was favored by 52 percent and opposed by 40 percent of 625 likely voters in a statewide telephone survey conducted Tuesday through Thursday for the Post-Dispatch, News 4 and the Kansas City Star. Eight percent were undecided.
The police proposition, a state law change, won 50 percent support statewide and was opposed by 28 percent. A relatively large number of respondents, 22 percent, was noncommital.
The poll, bv Mason-Dixon Polling and Research Inc., also showed big majorities in favor of an anti-Obamacare proposition on health insurance exchanges and against a change in the way some judges are selected.
The health proposition, barring the governor from setting up the insurance exchanges unless authorized by the Legislature or in an election, was favored, 57-25 percent, with 18 percent undecided.
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The judicial measure, which would affect the selection of future Supreme Court and state Court of Appeals judges, was opposed, 56-21 percent. But nearly one in four respondents, 23 percent, remained undecided.
For each question, the margin for error is 4 percentage points plus or minus.
The cigarette tax plan, Proposition B, was backed in the St. Louis and Kansas City metro areas and outstate Missouri.
The measure, placed on the ballot by an initiative petition drive funded largely by the American Cancer Society, is expected to generate at least $283 million for public schools and smoking cessation programs.
A key component is hiking the state's 17-cent tax on a pack of cigarettes to 90 cents.
One respondent -- Bill Heine, 56, of south St. Louis County -- said he supports the plan because it would channel more money to schools without raising taxes generally.
"To put it bluntly, my family doesn't smoke," said Heine, a livestock consultant and political independent. "If it can improve schools, let (smokers) pay more."
The extra school money has been an emphasis of a television ad campaign launched by supporters.
Christy Thompson, 45, of Ladue, said her skepticism about that pledge helps explain her opposition to the increase.
"I'm not really convinced the funds are going to go where they're intended," said Thompson, a lawyer and a Republican.
She added that she's against "anything that is limiting people's ability to go ahead and engage in a habit" they choose.
In general, the poll showed the cigarette tax hike with stronger support from women than men.
There also was a political-party difference, with more than two thirds of  Democratic respondents in favor. In contrast, the tax boost was opposed by Republicans and independents, although by smaller margins.Â
The police measure, Proposition A, would transfer control of the St. Louis department to City Hall from a state board appointed by the governor. It's a longtime priority of Mayor Francis Slay.
Among supporters was Kim Alexander, 47, of North County.
"Why would the governor have something to do with it?" asked Alexander, a Democrat who owns a security company.
He added that the state isn't involved in running the county police department or law enforcement in county municipalities.
A "no" voter --Â Judith Powers, a Republican from South County -- said she didn't want City Hall "shenanigans" to seep into the police department.
"That's scary," said Powers, a part-time grocery employee in her 60s. "I kind of like Mayor Slay but I don't trust city government."
The police proposal, also the subject of a petition campaign, had a bigger percentage of support in the Kansas City area and outstate than in metro St. Louis.
There also was a larger percentage of undecided respondents outside the St. Louis area, said Brad Coker, managing director of the polling firm.
Because of that, he said, the contest could "tighten up" before the Nov. 6 election.
Among those uncommitted is Jodi Hollingsworth of St. Joseph in northwest Missouri, who said she had heard little about the subject.
"I imagine that several of us may leave that blank on our ballot," said Hollingsworth, 52, a dental office manager and independent.
The health exchange measure, Proposition E, was put on the ballot by the Republican-led Legislature. An exchange is an online market through which consumers could compare health insurance plans.
The federal Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, requires states to create an exchange or have one operated for them by the federal government.
