July 22, 2009 - Connecticut Gov. Rell's High Approval Is Lowest Ever, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Slam Legislature In Budget Stalemate Word format Plagued by a sagging economy and a state budget stalemate, Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell's approval rating has dropped to 65 - 30 percent, her lowest overall score ever but still much higher than governors in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and Ohio with similar problems, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Connecticut voters disapprove 45 - 39 percent of the way the State Legislature is doing its job, down from a 45 - 38 percent approval in a May 9, 2007 poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN- uh-pe-ack) University. Voters approve 50 - 42 percent of the way Gov. Rell is handling the state budget and disapprove 56 - 29 percent of the way Democrats in the State Legislature are handling the budget. A total of 88 percent of Connecticut voters say the failure to adopt a state budget by the July 1 deadline is a "very serious" or "somewhat serious" problem. Democrats in the legislature are mostly to blame, 29 percent say, while 16 percent blame Rell; 14 percent blame Republicans and 26 percent blame everyone equally. "Gov. Jodi Rell's honeymoon with Connecticut voters just won't end, despite a recession and a budget stalemate," said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, PhD. "She has defied political gravity for five years by almost always topping 70 percent in job approval, and enjoying high marks not only among Republicans and Independents but Democrats as well. The love affair with Democrats is wearing thin, but she's still in very good shape. "While the economy and budget battle are taking a small toll on Gov. Rell's popularity, she is doing much better than governors in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, all with negative approval scores in recent Quinnipiac University polls." "If Rell is down a step or two, the Democrats are tumbling down the stairs," Dr. Schwartz added. "Approval of the Democratically controlled State Legislature is below 40 percent and more blame the Democrats than Rell for the late budget." By a 60 - 30 percent margin, Connecticut voters would rather cut services than raise taxes to balance the state budget. But voters support 71 - 27 percent raising the state income tax for individuals making at least $265,000 per year and couples making at least $500,000. The measure wins 90 - 9 percent support from Democrats and 71 - 26 percent support from independent voters, while Republicans oppose it 57 - 40 percent. Voters reject 55 - 42 percent that argument that raising taxes will force wealthier residents to move out of Connecticut. Voters also support 51 - 45 percent raising taxes on corporations and 72 - 26 percent raising the cigarette tax an additional 75 cents a pack. Even Republicans support the cigarette tax 64 - 34 percent. Governor Rell's Prospects A total of 58 percent of Connecticut voters, including 40 percent of Democrats, say they "definitely" or "probably" will vote for Rell for reelection in 2010. Rell has done an "excellent" job as Governor, 12 percent say, while 45 percent say she has done a "good" job; 33 percent say "fair" job and 9 percent say she has done a "poor" job. Connecticut voters like Jodi Rell: 54 percent like her as a person and like most of her policies, while 30 percent like her as a person even as they don't like most of her policies. Looking at Rell's qualities, voters say: 84 - 11 percent that she is honest and trustworthy; 76 - 21 percent that she has strong leadership qualities; 53 - 37 percent that she shares their views on issues about which they care. "With scores like these, Jodi Rell is a formidable candidate if she decides to run for a second full term in 2010," Schwartz said. From July 16 - 20, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,499 Connecticut registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points. The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and the nation as a public service and for research. For more data and RSS feed - http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201. 13. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling her job as Governor? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 65% 81% 49% 70% 67% 62% Disapprove 30 14 45 25 31 30 DK/NA 5 5 6 5 2 8 MdlSex Toll,Wndm Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon Approve 78% 56% 68% 63% 59% Disapprove 20 37 27 31 35 DK/NA 2 7 6 7 6 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling her job as Governor? (*Low also 65% 7/1/08) APPROVE....... High Low Jul 22 May 27 Apr 02 Mar 10 Feb 10 Jan 13 Jul 22 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2005 2009 Approve 65 73 72 75 75 83 65 Disapprove 30 20 22 19 19 3 30 DK/NA 5 7 6 6 6 14 5 14. Would you say that Jodi Rell has done an excellent, good, fair, or poor job as Governor? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Excellent 12% 23% 5% 12% 12% 12% Good 45 51 39 48 46 45 Fair 33 20 41 32 32 33 Poor 9 3 14 8 10 9 DK/NA 1 2 1 - 1 1 15. Regardless of your overall opinion of Jodi Rell, what do you think is the best thing she has done as Governor? JRappQ13 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve Handling of budget/ Budget cuts/ Taxes 23% 39% 14% 22% 30% 17% 31% Overall good decision maker/Fair/Open minded 4 3 3 4 4 4 5 Honest/Restored trust/ Turned state around after Rowland mess 11 9 10 13 13 10 13 Education 3 1 5 2 1 4 3 Support of Death Penalty 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 Money for mass transit/ Highways 1 1 2 1 - 2 1 Other 14 8 15 14 14 13 11 Nothing 4 1 6 2 3 4 - Don't know/Can't say/ Not sure 40 35 44 40 33 46 35 16. Regardless of your overall opinion of Jodi Rell, what do you think is the worst thing she has done as Governor? JRappQ13 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom DisApp Handling of budget/ Budget cuts/Taxes 23% 19% 26% 24% 22% 24% 34% Handling of Health care 5 3 6 5 5 5 7 Handling of Education 3 2 3 2 2 3 5 State workers/Furloughs 3 2 3 2 3 2 4 Support of Gay marriage/ Civil unions 2 4 2 1 2 2 3 Handling of Transportation issues 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Support of Death penalty 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Other specify 15 10 19 15 18 13 28 Nothing 5 6 3 5 5 5 - Don't know/Can't say/ Not sure 43 51 37 44 40 45 17 17. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 39% 25% 54% 36% 37% 41% Disapprove 45 61 31 47 51 40 DK/NA 16 14 15 17 12 19 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job? Jul 22 May 9 Feb 15 Jun 3 Nov 21 Oct 9 Jul 31 2009 2007 2007 2004 2003 2003 2003 Approve 39 45 47 48 38 35 29 Disapprove 45 38 34 33 45 49 57 DK/NA 16 17 18 19 18 16 14 20. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Richard Blumenthal is handling his job as State Attorney General? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 79% 70% 87% 79% 78% 80% Disapprove 13 22 7 12 16 10 DK/NA 8 8 6 9 6 10 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Richard Blumenthal is handling his job as State Attorney General? APPROVE....... High Low Jul 22 May 27 Mar 10 Feb 10 Jul 27 Mar 10 Nov 23 2009 2009 2009 2009 2005 2009 2004 Approve 79 78 81 79 73 81 71 Disapprove 13 9 10 12 14 10 15 DK/NA 8 13 9 9 13 9 13 23. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Connecticut today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very satisfied 3% 3% 4% 1% 2% 3% Smwht satisfied 45 42 52 42 43 47 Smwht dissatisfied 35 33 32 38 36 34 Very dissatisfied 17 22 12 18 19 15 DK/NA 1 1 - 1 1 1 TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Connecticut today? Very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? VERY+SMWHT SAT High Low Jul 22 May 27 Mar 10 Feb 10 Dec 17 Oct 21 Mar 13 2009 2009 2009 2009 2008 1998 2003 Very Satisfied 3 3 3 4 2 21 4 Smwht Satisfied 45 53 39 37 41 62 32 Smwht Dissatisfied 35 29 36 38 35 14 34 Very Dissatisfied 17 13 21 21 20 3 29 DK/NA 1 2 1 1 1 - 1 24. How likely are you to vote to re-elect Jodi Rell for Governor in 2010, do you think you will definitely vote for her, probably vote for her, probably not vote for her, or definitely not vote for her? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Definitely 15% 34% 5% 13% 14% 15% Probably 43 47 35 48 43 43 Probably not 19 8 28 16 18 19 Definitely not 16 5 23 14 17 14 DK/NA 8 5 8 9 7 9 TREND: How likely are you to vote to re-elect Jodi Rell for Governor in 2010, do you think you will definitely vote for her, probably vote for her, probably not vote for her, or definitely not vote for her? Jul 22 Dec 17 Jul 1 2009 2008 2008 Definitely 15 14 13 Probably 43 40 40 Probably not 19 18 20 Definitely not 16 13 13 DK/NA 8 14 13 25. Which one of the following statements comes closest to the way you feel about Jodi Rell - A) I like Jodi Rell as a person and I also like most of her policies, B) I like Jodi Rell as a person but I don't like most of her policies, C) I don't like Jodi Rell as a person but I do like most of her policies OR D) I don't like Jodi Rell as a person and I also don't like most of her policies? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom A) Like person and policies 54% 72% 40% 57% 54% 54% B) Like person not policies 30 16 41 28 30 29 C) Like policies not person 2 2 2 3 3 1 D) Not policies not person 8 3 12 6 8 7 DK/NA 6 7 6 7 5 8 TREND: Which one of the following statements comes closest to the way you feel about Jodi Rell - A) I like Jodi Rell as a person and I also like most of her policies, B) I like Jodi Rell as a person but I don't like most of her policies, C) I don't like Jodi Rell as a person but I DO like most of her policies, D) I don't like Jodi Rell as a person and I also don't like most of her policies. Jul 22 Jul 1 May 9 2009 2008 2007 A) Like person and policies 54 53 62 B) Like person not policies 30 28 23 C) Like policies not person 2 2 2 D) Not policies not person 8 7 5 DK/NA 6 10 8 26. What do you think is the most important problem facing Connecticut today? Tot Economy Total 45% Economy general 10 Unemployment/Jobs 30 Cost of living 2 Business leaving/ Outsourcing 2 Economy other 1 Budget Total 21% Budget general 8 Budget cuts/Cuts in services 2 Budget deficits 6 Gov too big/Gov spending 2 Lack of/Late budget 1 Budget priorities 2 Taxes Total 12% Taxes general 8 Property tax 2 Income Tax 1 Taxes other 1 Healthcare costs/Ins/HMO's 5% Education Total 3% Education general 1 Funding education 1 Education other 1 Crime/Violence general 1 Housing General 1 Transportation general 1 Politicians General 1 Other 3 DK/NA 4 TREND: What do you think is the most important problem facing Connecticut today? (additional trend points available on request) Jul 22 Dec 17 May 9 Jun 8 May 2 Feb 16 2009 2008 2007 2006 2006 2006 Budget/Spending Total 21% 6% 1 2% 1% 2% Crime Total 1 1 1 8 3 4 Economy Total 45 59 22 19 22 27 Education Total 3 5 8 9 7 10 Energy costs Total - 1 5 7 15 1 Healthcare Total 5 3 8 3 3 4 Housing Total 1 - - - - - Immigration - 1 2 2 2 - Politicians/Campaigns Tot 1 2 1 1 2 3 Taxes Total 12 14 29 21 20 22 Transportation/DMV Total 1 2 4 6 8 7 Other 3 2 2 4 4 4 DK/NA 4 3 6 7 5 7 27. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling taxes? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 47% 62% 33% 51% 50% 44% Disapprove 43 29 55 39 43 43 DK/NA 10 9 11 11 7 13 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling - taxes? Jul 22 Apr 6 2009 2005 Approve 47 40 Disapprove 43 37 DK/NA 10 23 28. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling the job situation in Connecticut? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 42% 59% 35% 41% 44% 41% Disapprove 43 26 52 43 43 42 DK/NA 15 15 13 16 13 17 29. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling the state budget? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 50% 67% 35% 55% 53% 48% Disapprove 42 26 56 37 40 43 DK/NA 8 7 9 8 7 9 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling the state budget? (*Governor Rell) Jul 22 Feb 10 Apr 6 Feb 18 2009 2009 2005 2005* Approve 50 66 54 51 Disapprove 42 22 20 29 DK/NA 8 13 26 20 30. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Democrats in the state legislature are handling the state budget? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 29% 9% 49% 24% 27% 31% Disapprove 56 84 34 61 62 52 DK/NA 14 6 17 15 11 17 31. Would you say that Jodi Rell is honest and trustworthy or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 84% 91% 80% 86% 85% 82% No 11 6 13 11 13 10 DK/NA 5 4 6 4 2 7 TREND: Would you say that Jodi Rell is honest and trustworthy or not? Jul 22 Jan 12 Jul 27 Jan 13 2009 2006 2005 2005 Yes 84 83 87 82 No 11 7 5 3 DK/NA 5 11 8 14 32. Would you say that Jodi Rell has strong leadership qualities or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 76% 82% 69% 80% 74% 79% No 21 15 27 17 24 18 DK/NA 3 3 4 3 3 4 TREND: Would you say that Jodi Rell has strong leadership qualities or not? Jul 22 Jul 27 Jan 13 2009 2005 2005 Yes 76 82 79 No 21 11 7 DK/NA 3 7 14 33. Would you say that Jodi Rell shares your views on issues that you care about or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 53% 73% 39% 55% 54% 52% No 37 20 54 31 36 37 DK/NA 10 7 8 14 10 10 TREND: Would you say that Jodi Rell shares your views on issues that you care about or not? Jul 22 Jul 27 Jan 13 2009 2005 2005 Yes 53 64 60 No 37 21 15 DK/NA 10 15 25 45. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling the economy? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 54% 67% 43% 56% 56% 53% Disapprove 35 24 45 32 34 35 DK/NA 11 9 12 12 11 12 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling the economy? Jul 22 Mar 10 Feb 10 2009 2009 2009 Approve 54 68 67 Disapprove 35 24 23 DK/NA 11 8 10 46. Do you think Governor Rell's policies have helped Connecticut's economy, hurt Connecticut's economy, or haven't made a difference? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Helped 28% 37% 20% 29% 29% 27% Hurt 18 13 25 15 18 19 No difference 46 44 48 47 45 47 DK/NA 7 6 7 8 7 7 47. Looking forward, do you think Governor Rell's policies will help Connecticut's economy, will hurt Connecticut's economy, or won't make a difference? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Will Help 40% 57% 30% 42% 42% 39% Will Hurt 19 14 28 15 19 20 No difference 33 23 33 35 32 33 DK/NA 8 6 9 7 7 8 48. Do you think Governor Rell's policies have helped your personal financial situation, hurt your personal financial situation, or haven't made a difference? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Helped 7% 12% 3% 8% 8% 6% Hurt 18 13 22 16 19 17 No difference 73 73 73 73 70 75 DK/NA 2 2 2 3 3 2 49. Looking forward, do you think Governor Rell's policies will help your personal financial situation, will hurt your personal financial situation, or won't make a difference? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Will Help 20% 30% 16% 20% 23% 18% Will Hurt 21 12 25 20 19 22 No difference 52 51 53 52 52 53 DK/NA 7 6 6 8 6 7 64. Connecticut has not had a budget since July first, the start of the fiscal year. Do you think that the state's failure to pass a budget is a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, a not too serious problem or not a problem at all? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very serious 52% 53% 50% 54% 52% 52% Smwht serious 36 33 39 35 32 39 Not too serious 8 11 9 7 11 6 Not a problem at all 2 2 1 1 4 1 DK/NA 2 2 1 2 2 1 TREND: Connecticut has not had a budget since July first, the start of the fiscal year. Do you think that the state's failure to pass a budget is a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, a not too serious problem, or not a problem at all? Jul 22 Jul 31 2009 2003 Very serious 52 58 Smwht serious 36 34 Not very serious 8 5 Not serious at all 2 2 DK/NA 2 2 65. Who do you think is most to blame for the state's failure to pass a budget, Governor Rell, the Republicans in the state legislature, or the Democrats in the state legislature? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Governor Rell 16% 4% 25% 14% 16% 17% Republicans in leg 14 1 31 8 11 17 Democrats in leg 29 68 9 28 36 23 BLAME ALL(VOL) 26 21 18 34 26 27 DK/NA 14 7 16 15 10 17 66. To balance the state budget, if you had to choose, would you prefer raising taxes or cutting government programs and services? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Raising taxes 30% 8% 51% 26% 25% 35% Cutting services 60 82 41 64 68 54 DK/NA 10 10 9 10 7 12 TREND: To balance the state budget, if you had to choose, would you prefer raising taxes or cutting government programs and services? Jul 22 Feb 10 Mar 13 2009 2009 2003 Raising taxes 30 23 38 Cutting services 60 67 46 DK/NA 10 10 16 67. To help balance the state budget, would you support or oppose raising the income tax for individuals earning more than $265,000 annually and for couples earning more than $500,000 annually? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 71% 40% 90% 71% 65% 75% Oppose 27 57 9 26 33 22 DK/NA 2 3 1 3 2 3 68. To help balance the state budget, would you support or oppose raising taxes on corporations? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 51% 26% 70% 50% 43% 58% Oppose 45 70 26 46 55 36 DK/NA 4 4 5 4 2 6 69. To help balance the state budget, would you support or oppose raising taxes on cigarettes an additional 75 cents a pack? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 72% 64% 84% 68% 65% 78% Oppose 26 34 15 29 33 20 DK/NA 2 3 1 3 2 2 70. Do you think an increase in taxes is necessary to balance the budget or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 48% 31% 65% 44% 47% 48% No 45 64 28 49 48 43 DK/NA 7 5 7 7 5 8 TREND: Do you think an increase in taxes is necessary to balance the budget or not? Jul 22 Mar 10 2009 2009 Yes 48 32 No 45 63 DK/NA 7 5 71. Some people say that raising the state income tax rate on wealthier residents will lead them to move out of Connecticut. Do you agree or disagree? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Agree 42% 67% 21% 45% 45% 39% Disagree 55 31 73 52 52 57 DK/NA 4 3 6 3 3 4
