UMass Poll surveyed 700 residents and found overwhelming support — 79 percent — for making universal free school meals permanent (something Mariano said the House budget would do, while Healey is only asking to extend the program for another year). The poll also found that 8 in 10 support providing free breakfast and lunch for all K-12 public school students and nearly 7 in 10 support construction of high-speed rail service between Springfield and Boston. Fifty percent strongly or somewhat support lowering the short-term capital gains tax rate to 5 percent from 12 percent, while 19 percent oppose it and 31 percent offered no opinion.UMass Amherst polling Director Tatishe Nteta expects the upcoming budget discussions will help move the needle for those in that “neither” category. (Politico, The Boston Globe,  4/10/23; WCVB-TV, 4/11/23; News Office release)