April 6, 2011 - Florida Voters Turn Thumbs Down On Gov. Scott, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Back Drug Tests For State Workers Almost 4-1 Word format The number of Florida voters who disapprove of Gov. Rick Scott has more than doubled, pushing him from a positive 35 - 22 percent job approval February 2 to a negative 35 - 48 percent approval in a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Voters also say 53 - 37 percent that his state budget proposals are unfair to them. Gov. Scott's proposed budget cuts go "too far," 47 percent of voters say, as 16 percent say they don't go "far enough" and 29 percent say they are "about right," the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University survey finds. By 78 - 20 percent, voters say Scott's order that newly-hired state government workers undergo drug testing and that those already on the job be spot-checked is a good idea. A proposal working its way through the Legislature that would end the government's practice of collecting union dues from state workers is a bad idea, voters say 47 - 43 percent. But voters support 74 - 22 percent the provision of that same bill which would require unions to get individual members' approval before using dues payments for political purposes. Voters disapprove 57 - 39 percent of a new law that will tie teachers' pay to student performance on standardized tests, and split 47 - 47 percent on the part of that law that would eliminate tenure for public school teachers hired after July 1. "While his approval rating is unchanged, Gov. Rick Scott's disapproval rating has jumped from 22 percent to 48 percent, perhaps not surprising given the magnitude of the changes he is proposing," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Today, Scott is a four-letter word to many Florida voters, but political popularity can change with time. The experience of Scott's predecessor, Charlie Crist, who had 70 percent approval ratings at this point in his tenure, shows how fickle public opinion can be." "Nonetheless, the fact that Scott is as unpopular as the State Legislature, which has a 47 - 35 percent disapproval rating, is evidence of the depth of his problem. It is exceedingly rare for an unindicted governor or president to ever be seen as poorly by the electorate as his legislature or Congress," said Brown. Voters disapprove 55 - 36 percent of the way Scott is handling the budget. They say 52 - 41 percent that Scott should not have pledged to balance the budget without raising taxes and by 64 - 24 percent they say he will not be able to keep that no-tax pledge. Voters prefer 65 - 29 percent not raising any taxes and balancing the budget only through spending cuts, rather than raising some taxes in order to reduce the number of spending cuts. "The one piece of good news for Gov. Scott seems to be that voters agree with his no- new-taxes strategy," said Brown. "Actually, there's another piece of good news: He has almost four years left to turn around public opinion." Scott's problems run deeper among women, who disapprove of the job he is doing 55 - 26 percent, than among men who approve 45 - 41 percent. He gets a 58 - 25 percent approval among Republicans, but Democrats disapprove 74 - 12 percent and independent voters turn thumbs down 48 - 33 percent. By 49 - 44 percent, voters say Scott's plan to cut $2 billion in property and business taxes is a bad idea. "One key metric that Scott will need to turn around if he is to be successful politically is voter perception that his proposed budget is unfair to them," Brown said. "Men are split, saying 46 - 44 percent it is unfair but women find it unfair by 59 - 30 percent." "It would be rare that a governor who is perceived by the electorate as unfair gets re- elected. A total of 95 percent of Florida voters say the state's budget problems are very or somewhat serious. They know something has to be done, but they want someone who treats them fairly in that process." From March 29 - April 4, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,499 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones. The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and the nation as a public service and for research. For more data or RSS feed- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter. 1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Rick Scott is handling his job as Governor? WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 35% 58% 12% 33% 45% 26% 49% Disapprove 48 25 74 48 41 55 36 DK/NA 17 17 14 18 14 19 15 North/ Union PnHnd Bay Cntrl SthW SthE HsHlds Approve 34% 34% 39% 38% 32% 29% Disapprove 45 51 45 42 54 58 DK/NA 21 15 16 20 14 13 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Rick Scott is handling his job as Governor? Apr 6 Feb 2 2011 2011 Approve 35 35 Disapprove 48 22 DK/NA 17 43 4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job? WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 35% 49% 24% 32% 40% 30% 39% Disapprove 47 33 57 53 45 50 36 DK/NA 18 18 19 16 15 20 24 North/ PnHnd Bay Cntrl SthW SthE Approve 37% 30% 40% 35% 30% Disapprove 48 52 40 50 49 DK/NA 14 17 19 15 21 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job? (*Low Approve also 30% Jul 2010, Jun 2010) APPROVE....... High Low Apr 6 Aug 19 Jul 30 Jun 9 Apr 19 Sep 23 Aug 19 2011 2010 2010 2010 2010 2004 2010* Approve 35 30 30 30 32 51 30 Disapprove 47 56 54 53 51 34 56 DK/NA 18 14 17 18 17 15 14 6. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Florida today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Very satisfied 3% 4% 1% 3% 3% 2% 4% Smwht satisfied 36 52 23 34 40 33 47 Smwht dissatisfied 34 26 40 35 31 36 29 Very dissatisfied 26 16 34 27 24 28 19 DK/NA 1 2 1 1 2 - 1 North/ PnHnd Bay Cntrl SthW SthE Very satisfied 2% 3% 3% 3% 2% Smwht satisfied 37 36 41 43 29 Smwht dissatisfied 28 31 35 36 38 Very dissatisfied 30 28 19 17 30 DK/NA 2 1 2 1 0 TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Florida today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or very dissatisfied? (*combined High also 63% Sep 2004) VERY+SMWHT.... High Low Apr 6 Feb 02 Jun 09 Apr 15 Feb 18 Feb 24 Apr 10 2011 2011 2009 2009 2009 2005* 2008 Very satisfied 3 3 6 3 3 15 5 Smwht satisfied 36 44 45 43 40 48 32 Smwht dissatisfied 34 34 33 34 33 22 34 Very dissatisfied 26 19 15 19 22 15 28 DK/NA 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 13. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Rick Scott is handling the state budget? WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 36% 58% 13% 37% 44% 28% 49% Disapprove 55 33 80 55 47 63 42 DK/NA 9 9 7 8 9 9 9 North/ PnHnd Bay Cntrl SthW SthE Approve 33% 34% 41% 44% 32% Disapprove 56 60 50 44 59 DK/NA 11 6 8 12 9 14. Do you think Governor Scott's proposals to balance the state budget are fair or unfair to people like you? WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Fair 37% 59% 14% 38% 44% 30% 51% Unfair 53 31 76 52 46 59 39 DK/NA 10 10 10 10 10 11 11 North/ PnHnd Bay Cntrl SthW SthE Fair 37% 36% 44% 44% 29% Unfair 54 56 45 44 59 DK/NA 10 8 11 11 12 15. How serious do you think Florida's budget problems are - very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious, or not at all serious? WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Very serious 63% 60% 64% 61% 60% 65% 63% Smwht serious 32 36 30 34 34 30 34 Not too serious 3 2 4 3 3 3 2 Not at all serious 1 - - 1 1 - 1 DK/NA 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 North/ PnHnd Bay Cntrl SthW SthE Very serious 62% 61% 62% 60% 66% Smwht serious 29 36 32 31 30 Not too serious 4 2 4 3 2 Not at all serious 1 - 1 2 1 DK/NA 4 1 2 4 - TREND: How serious do you think Florida's budget problems are very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious, or not at all serious? Apr 6 Feb 2 2011 2011 Very serious 63 64 Smwht serious 32 30 Not too serious 3 3 Not at all serious 1 1 DK/NA 2 2 16. What do you think about the cuts in state spending that Governor Scott has proposed in order to balance the state budget? Do you think Scott's cuts in state spending go too far, not far enough or are they about right? WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Too far 47% 26% 70% 48% 41% 52% 35% Not far enough 16 24 7 16 18 14 21 About right 29 42 15 29 34 24 34 DK/NA 9 8 8 7 7 10 10 North/ PnHnd Bay Cntrl SthW SthE Too far 45% 50% 39% 39% 55% Not far enough 14 14 20 21 14 About right 33 29 32 32 22 DK/NA 9 7 8 9 10 17. Do you think that Governor Scott's spending cuts will help Florida's economy, hurt Florida's economy, or not make a difference? WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Help 33% 55% 11% 34% 42% 25% 47% Hurt 40 19 66 37 33 47 28 No difference 19 18 16 22 19 18 15 DK/NA 8 8 7 7 6 10 10 North/ PnHnd Bay Cntrl SthW SthE Help 31% 36% 35% 44% 27% Hurt 43 41 35 33 45 No difference 18 18 21 18 18 DK/NA 9 5 9 5 10 18. Governor Scott says that state workers, who currently do not contribute to their retirement funds, should pay part of the cost. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea? WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Good idea 59% 71% 39% 67% 67% 52% 69% Bad idea 36 24 58 28 30 43 25 DK/NA 4 4 3 5 4 5 7 North/ Union PnHnd Bay Cntrl SthW SthE HsHlds Good idea 55% 57% 64% 71% 55% 57% Bad idea 39 39 32 24 41 38 DK/NA 6 5 4 5 4 5 TREND: Governor Scott says that state workers, who currently do not contribute to their retirement funds, should pay part of the cost. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea? Apr 6 Feb 2 2011 2011 Good idea 59 64 Bad idea 36 28 DK/NA 4 8 19. Governor Rick Scott has pledged that in trying to balance the state's budget deficit that he would not raise taxes or fees. Do you think Rick Scott should have made this pledge or not? WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Yes 41% 54% 33% 38% 43% 39% 43% No 52 40 62 55 51 54 52 DK/NA 6 6 5 7 5 7 5 North/ PnHnd Bay Cntrl SthW SthE Yes 40% 37% 42% 49% 42% No 54 57 51 43 52 DK/NA 7 5 6 8 6 TREND: Governor Rick Scott has pledged that in trying to balance the state's budget deficit that he would not raise taxes or fees. Do you think Rick Scott should have made this pledge or not? Apr 6 Feb 2 2011 2011 Yes 41 44 No 52 48 DK/NA 6 9 20. Do you think Rick Scott will be able to keep this pledge or not? WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Yes 24% 37% 10% 24% 29% 19% 29% No 64 47 81 65 59 69 59 DK/NA 12 15 9 11 12 12 12 North/ PnHnd Bay Cntrl SthW SthE Yes 22% 23% 25% 37% 20% No 67 66 63 54 66 DK/NA 11 11 12 9 15 TREND: Do you think Rick Scott will be able to keep this pledge or not? Apr 6 Feb 2 2011 2011 Yes 24 26 No 64 58 DK/NA 12 15 21. Governor Scott wants to cut about 2 billion dollars in property and business taxes to make Florida more attractive to businesses and attract jobs. Others say the state can't afford to lose the revenue. Do you think these tax cuts are a good idea or a bad idea? WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Good idea 44% 62% 24% 45% 53% 36% 53% Bad idea 49 33 68 49 43 55 41 DK/NA 6 5 8 5 4 8 7 North/ PnHnd Bay Cntrl SthW SthE Good idea 40% 39% 47% 50% 47% Bad idea 56 53 47 41 46 DK/NA 4 7 6 9 7 TREND: Governor Scott wants to cut about 2 billion dollars in property and business taxes to make Florida more attractive to businesses and attract jobs. Others say the state can't afford to lose the revenue. Do you think these tax cuts are a good idea or a bad idea? Apr 6 Feb 2 2011 2011 Good idea 44 50 Bad idea 49 43 DK/NA 6 8 22. Which comes closer to your view regarding Governor Scott's budget proposal which cuts taxes and government spending: A)Taxes should not be raised, there should only be spending cuts or B)Taxes should be raised so that there will be fewer spending cuts. WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Only cuts 65% 79% 56% 59% 66% 65% 74% Taxes/Fewer cuts 29 17 36 35 30 28 22 DK/NA 6 4 8 5 5 7 4 North/ PnHnd Bay Cntrl SthW SthE Only cuts 66% 64% 66% 70% 63% Taxes/Fewer cuts 29 30 28 26 30 DK/NA 5 7 6 5 7 23. Governor Scott has ordered drug testing of new state government hires and spot checks of existing state employees. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea? WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Good idea 78% 87% 65% 81% 79% 77% 84% Bad idea 20 11 31 16 19 21 15 DK/NA 3 2 4 3 3 3 1 North/ Union PnHnd Bay Cntrl SthW SthE HsHlds Good idea 77% 73% 82% 86% 75% 75% Bad idea 21 22 17 13 21 21 DK/NA 2 4 2 2 3 5 24. The legislature has passed and Governor Scott has signed legislation that will tie a teacher's pay to student performance. Do you approve or disapprove of this new law? WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 39% 50% 19% 46% 48% 32% 47% Disapprove 57 45 78 49 48 64 49 DK/NA 4 5 2 5 4 4 4 North/ Union PnHnd Bay Cntrl SthW SthE HsHlds Approve 44% 35% 41% 54% 33% 27% Disapprove 53 61 57 44 60 71 DK/NA 2 5 2 2 7 2 25. This teacher bill will end tenure for public school teachers hired after July 1. Do you approve or disapprove of this new law? WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 47% 59% 28% 55% 51% 44% 52% Disapprove 47 35 68 37 44 50 42 DK/NA 6 5 4 8 5 7 6 North/ Union PnHnd Bay Cntrl SthW SthE HsHlds Approve 49% 42% 53% 55% 42% 41% Disapprove 44 53 40 39 53 54 DK/NA 8 5 7 6 5 4 26. The legislature is considering a bill which would ban public-sector unions from using automatic payroll deductions to collect union dues and also would require that those unions get individual member's approval before using their payments for political purposes. How much have you heard or read about this bill: A lot, some, not much or nothing at all? WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl A lot 20% 23% 15% 21% 27% 14% 21% Some 26 28 27 24 28 24 24 Not much 23 18 21 27 20 25 27 Nothing at all 31 30 36 27 25 36 27 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 - 1 1 North/ Union PnHnd Bay Cntrl SthW SthE HsHlds A lot 16% 23% 18% 30% 19% 39% Some 25 25 21 23 32 24 Not much 30 22 22 23 18 14 Nothing at all 29 29 38 23 30 23 DK/NA - 1 1 1 - - 27. The bill would ban public-sector unions from using automatic payroll deductions to collect union dues. Do you think that banning these automatic payroll deductions is a good idea or a bad idea? WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Good idea 43% 58% 28% 43% 48% 38% 55% Bad idea 47 33 64 46 44 50 37 DK/NA 10 9 9 11 8 12 8 North/ Union PnHnd Bay Cntrl SthW SthE HsHlds Good idea 45% 40% 48% 43% 39% 29% Bad idea 45 52 39 50 52 68 DK/NA 10 8 13 7 9 4 28. The bill also would require that those unions get individual member's approval before using their payments for political purposes. Do you think that requiring individual member's approval before using payments for political purposes is a good idea or a bad idea? WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Good idea 74% 82% 64% 76% 77% 71% 84% Bad idea 22 15 32 20 20 23 12 DK/NA 4 4 4 4 3 5 4 North/ Union PnHnd Bay Cntrl SthW SthE HsHlds Good idea 74% 70% 77% 77% 73% 75% Bad idea 21 26 19 20 23 23 DK/NA 5 4 4 3 4 1
