OLYMPIA -- Seven out of 10 Washington voters turn thumbs down to spending public money on pro sports facilities, but a strong majority favors same-sex domestic partner benefits, according to a new statewide poll.

The Elway Poll, published Friday by independent pollster Stuart Elway, also showed support for simple-majority approval of school levies and backing for paid family medical leave.

A majority said the state should rebuild the Alaskan Way Viaduct or shift money to other projects, rather than accede to Seattle's desire for a more expensive tunnel.

Elway said people are paying more attention to legislative news this year -- with 54 percent saying they are watching the developments, up 13 percent from a similar poll question a year ago and somewhat above the average since 1998.

The telephone poll was conducted among 405 registered voters Feb. 8-12, with a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.

Some highlights:

SPORTS ARENAS. Lawmakers are considering plans for partial public financing for sports venues for NASCAR, the Seattle Sonics, minor league baseball teams and a rodeo and equestrian center. Asked a general question about whether pro sports owners should pay for their own facilities without taxpayer subsidies, 71 percent agreed, while 23 percent called subsidies a good investment.

About 77 percent opposed use of public dollars for major sports facilities such as the Sonics' Renton proposal. Public financing for a NASCAR racetrack was opposed by 79 percent.

DOMESTIC PARTNERS: A strong majority, 57 percent to 38 percent, favored a plan for same-sex domestic partnership rights, such as health benefits. About 63 percent of those west of the Cascades favored the idea, which the Legislature is expected to pass this year. In Eastern Washington, the number plunged to 33 percent. Women, Democrats, independents and those under age 65 were more likely to support it.