3/2: New opinion poll highlights AL voters' top concerns

ALABAMA: New opinion poll lists voters' top concerns in state: education, health, highways

The Public Research Council of Alabama has conducted an opinion poll to state voters' top concerns for 2010. They are: education, health care, public safety and highways.

A majority said they were willing to pay higher taxes to avoid substantial cuts in education and health-care services, generally understood to be Medicaid.

The poll, conducted in January by Samford University political science professor Randolph Horn, asked about gambling, a major issue facing the legislators this year. The poll asked if gambling should be taxed and regulated. In response, 72 percent said yes and 26 percent said it should be outlawed.

Also in the South:

ARKANSAS: U of A enters racial controversy over national stepping competition win

FLORIDA: Report says FL is deadliest state for pedestrians and bicyclists

GEORGIA: President Obama to bring "Cash for Caulkers" program to Savannah

KENTUCKY: State House approves pilot project to open some family courts to public

LOUISIANA: State prison officials look for ways to cut recidivism, escapes

MISSISSIPPI: Lawmakers propose soft drink tax to offset high obesity rate

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue wants to know value of privatizing state liquor stores

SOUTH CAROLINA: Budget proposal cuts 1,000 state employees

TENNESSEE: Three TN road projects blocked by KY Sen. Bunning

VIRGINIA: Strategy by state Democrats aimed at blocking gun bills

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