The Associated Press

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A new Quinnipiac Poll says Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett‘s job approval rating is on the rise.

The poll out Thursday said the first-term Republican had a 50 percent favorable rating, his best so far, thanks partly to stronger support among women.

The poll also says 62 percent of state voters feel the economic boost from Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling outweighs the environmental problems, and 64 percent support imposing a tax on gas extraction.

Voters are 2-to-1 in favor of privatizing the state liquor store system, but oppose privatizing state parks by a slightly wider margin.

Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey’s job approval rating is 43 percent, basically level.

Quinnipiac surveyed 1,370 voters over six days last week. The poll’s margin of error is plus or minus 2.7 percentage points.