Poll: Voters dislike how Chafee handled 38 Studios

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - More than half of Rhode Islanders disapprove of how Gov. Lincoln Chafee handled the collapse of Curt Schilling's video game company, a sign the issue may not be a political winner for the beleaguered independent, according to an exclusive WPRI 12 poll released Tuesday night.

The new survey of 501 likely voters in Rhode Island shows only 32% of voters approve of how Chafee handled the 38 Studios crisis, while 53% disapprove and 14% aren't sure. Schilling's Providence-based company filed for bankruptcy in June two years after receiving a $75 million loan backed by Rhode Island taxpayers.

The telephone interview poll with 501 likely Rhode Island voters was conducted last Wednesday through Saturday by Fleming & Associates of Cumberland, R.I. The survey has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus approximately 4.38 percentage points on statewide questions and 6.2 points on questions in a congressional district.

• Interactive: Breakdown of poll results
• Related: Raimondo, Taveras do best

Chafee opposed the 38 Studios deal when he was running for governor in 2010 and refused Schilling's pleas last spring for additional state aid despite some suggestions the state should step in. The deal was never popular with voters, and taxpayers are now on the hook for $100 million to pay off the 38 Studios loan.

"I think everybody is just sick about what happened and they're lumping everybody in," Chafee told WPRI.com after he was informed about the poll results. He called the 38 Studios deal "an absolutely ridiculous investment" for the state to have made.

"I can just say that we're working hard to recoup that money that we lost, and hopefully when the citizens see how hard I worked to recoup that money, and hopefully with some success ... those numbers will change," the governor said.

The poll also finds Chafee's approval rating is just 29% among likely voters, up from 21% in February but still lower than that of any other politician in the state. Chafee won the 2010 election with 36% of the votes in a four-way race.

"The challenges are enormous, as we know, in the state - different issues we've had to deal with from the beginning - but we're working hard every day and progress is being made," Chafee said.

"I can pledge to the Rhode Island citizens that they're going to have a better Rhode Island through my tenure in office," he added. "All I know is I'm working hard every day, and good times are ahead."

Rhode Islanders look likely to approve a ballot question next month asking whether the state's two gaming facilities, Lincoln's Twin River and Newport Grand, should be allowed to become full casinos by adding table games.

The polls shows 59% of likely voters favor legalizing casino gambling, while 33% oppose doing so and 9% aren't sure. Support for table games runs highest among union households (64% in favor), Democrats and seniors (63% each). Opposition is highest in the 2nd Congressional District (38% opposed) and among Republicans (37% opposed).

"This poll reflects what we are hearing in our conversations with Newporters and voters across the state: Rhode Island cannot afford to lose Newport Grand's 200 jobs and gaming revenues," Newport Grand CEO Diane Hurley said in a statement.

Separately from the statewide ballot question, voters in the two municipalities where the gaming facilities are located will need to approve the addition of table games in their communities. "We are confident that voters in November will support our plan to add tables games so we can protect and grow jobs and revenue, and stay competitive with Massachusetts," Hurley said.

Ted Nesi ( tnesi@wpri.com ) covers politics and the economy for WPRI.com and writes the Nesi's Notes blog. Follow him on Twitter: @tednesi