Group says poll results reflect support for conservative agenda

The socially conservative Family Foundation Tuesday touted new polls results they say show Virginians support their legislative priorities to limit abortion, restrict adoptions by gays and promote school choice measures.

Among the bills the group is backing this winter are measures to codify the rights of faith-based agencies to deny child placement to would-be gay parents.

Gay rights advocates oppose those bills, saying the state shouldn't sanction discrimination by organizations with state contracts to place children.

Statewide, the Mason-Dixon poll sponsored by the group found 54 percent of registered voters oppose forcing faith-based groups to adopt children to prospective parents in violation of their beliefs.

Also sampled in the survey were public attitudes on requiring clinics to offer an ultrasound image to women before abortions, something abortion rights groups oppose.

On education, poll respondents were asked whether home school students should be allowed to participate in public school athletics, and about their feelings on a proposed state tax credit for companies that contribute towards private school scholarships for needy kids.

The Mason-Dixon poll of 625 registered voters was conducted Jan. 16-18. It has a 4 percent margin of error. The results and crosstabs are below.

-- Julian Walker

2012-1-20 VA Fam Found Polling Results

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