HARRISBURG (TNS) — A majority of Pennsylvania residents, regardless of their political leanings, favor federal measures to ease financial strains on families.

A survey released Wednesday by the University of Maryland’s Program for Public Consultation found that the majority of responders in the Commonwealth, whether Republican or Democrat, favored the reinstatement of such programs as the pandemic-era child tax credit.

The survey also found robust bipartisan support for funding for free universal preschool; subsidies for childcare for low- and middle-income families; and the creation of a national 12-week paid family and medical leave program for all workers.

The survey was conducted in five other swing states, as well as nationally.

“There is strong bipartisan support for the federal government taking a more active role in strengthening the support system for families, especially those with children,” Steven Kull, director of the Program for Public Consultation, said in a statement released with the survey report.

The survey found that a bipartisan majority of responders favored the reinstatement of expanded child tax credit amounts that were temporarily increased by Congress during the pandemic.

The credit amount, rolled out under the American Rescue Plan, saw levels of child tax credit increase from $2,000 to $3,600 for qualifying children under age 6, and $3,000 for other qualifying children under age 18.

Responders, who were given the opportunity to provide personal perspective on the issues, expressed broad support for the program.

One said: “I was once a young mother that needed government assistance so I can truly relate to that tax credit especially when my boy was a baby.

Another said: “It costs a fortune to raise a baby especially during the first year. I know from experience. So this proposal seems to make good sense.”

A report published in the journal Health Affairs Scholar found that the expanded monthly payments enabled all families with children to afford enough food. In particular, the expanded benefits helped families who faced economic hardships such as illness, furloughs, or job loss.

The expanded tax credit amounts expired in 2022.

A proposal to reinstate expanded child tax credits awaits a vote in the Senate. The proposal prioritizes getting the credit to most of the roughly 19 million children who currently get a partial credit or none at all because their families’ incomes are too low, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

The Program for Public Consultation survey found that 71% of Pennsylvanians surveyed favored the reinstatement of the pandemic-era program; that included 62% of Republicans and 81% of Democrats.

Across all swing states, bipartisan majorities were in favor: with 69% of Republicans and 77% of Democrats indicating that position.

Nationally, 64% of Republicans and 83% of Democrats favored the program.

The survey is the seventh in the series entitled Swing Six Issue Surveys rolled out in the run-up to the November election in six swing states.

Unlike traditional polls, participants in the public consultation survey underwent a “policymaking simulation”, which provided briefings and arguments for and against each policy.

Among other findings, the survey found strong support for federal funding of universal preschool.

One Pennsylvania responder said: “The only slightly compelling argument against free preschool is that it can somewhat hinder parenting, but I would imagine living in poverty also puts considerable stress on the emotional development of young children. In that case, the opportunity for mothers to continue their careers seems beneficial. The states’ rights argument makes no sense, as the proposal does not require every state/city to take the money if they feel there are too many strings attached.”

In Pennsylvania, about 54% of eligible 3- and 4-year-olds, or about 78,000 kids, have no access to pre-K, according to the advocacy group Pre-K for PA.

Gov. Josh Shapiro in July signed a $47.6 billion plan for the fiscal year that includes a $33 million increase for pre-K, which would strengthen the sector and expand access to high-quality programs.

The survey found that 76% of Pennsylvania responders support the universal preschool proposal: with a partisan breakdown of 63% of Republicans and 90% of Democrats.

Across all swing states, support ranges from 76% to 83%.

The survey found that a proposal to subsidize childcare for low and middle-income families had robust support across the political spectrum.

A bipartisan majority of 76% in Pennsylvania favor the program, the survey found. That includes 63% of Republicans. Across all swing states, support ranges from 74% to 80%. Nationally, 76% are in favor.

Other findings include:

A bipartisan majority of 68% in Pennsylvania favor creating a national paid family and medical leave program that would require employers to allow all workers to take up to 12 weeks of leave; and provide workers on leave with two-thirds of their wages (up to $4,000 a month), with funds from a new 0.2% payroll tax on both employees and employers. In Pennsylvania, the proposal is favored by 81% of Democrats and a modest majority of Republicans (55%).

Across all swing states, support ranges from 68% to 75%. Nationally, 72% are in favor, including majorities of Republicans (61%) and Democrats (85%).

The survey was conducted between Aug 17-29, with 612 adults in Pennsylvania participating.