January 20, 2010 - Christie Should Get Tough With State Workers, New Jersey Voters Tell Quinnipiac University Poll; Voters Optimistic About Governor, Not Legislature Word format New Jersey voters agree with Gov. Christopher Christie that his first priority should be curbing state spending, and voters support layoffs and wage freezes for state workers, creating jobs and ending corruption, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. A total of 71 percent of New Jersey voters are "somewhat dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied" with life in the Garden State; 80 percent say the state's budget problems are "very serious" and 17 percent call them "somewhat serious." But voters share the new Governor's optimism as 63 percent are optimistic about the next four years with Christie as Governor, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Given a list of choices, voters rank the priorities for the new Governor as: 28 percent say curbing state spending is the top priority; 13 percent say curb local spending and cut property taxes; 25 percent say create jobs; 20 percent say end corruption. New Jersey voters support 58 - 35 percent, including 50 - 44 percent in union households, layoffs or furloughs for state workers. Freeze wages for state workers, voters say 71 - 23 percent, including 62 - 38 percent among union households and 64 - 30 percent among Democrats. "New Jerseyans to Gov. Christopher Christie: We'll hand you the axe, Governor, if you want to chop state spending. In a measure that's all but unanimous, we agree the state is in terrible financial shape. That amounts to a chopping license," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "We don't know a lot about Gov. Christie, but we're optimistic that he'll do a good job." "Government workers are in the cross hairs. Most New Jerseyans, including union households, would okay layoffs. Almost three fourths would okay a wage freeze," Carroll said. "New Jersey voters, 65 percent of them, expect Christie to get tough with state workers." While they are optimistic about Christie, who does not yet have an approval rating, New Jersey voters disapprove 61 - 26 percent of the State Legislature, disapprove 41 - 38 percent of their local assembly member and split 44 - 44 percent on their local state senator. Only 15 percent of voters say the State Legislature has the political courage to make unpopular budget decisions, while 77 percent expect business as usual. New Jersey voters support 74 - 21 percent merging local governments and school districts as a way to cut property taxes. The idea wins support across the political spectrum and in every region of the state and among parents of public school students. Cut services rather than raise taxes, voters say 62 - 25 percent. Start with economic development programs, 41 percent of voters say, followed by 30 percent for social service cuts, 10 percent to whack education and 6 percent to cut health care. If taxes must be raised, 34 percent of voters say raise sales taxes, followed by 31 percent who prefer raising tolls, 13 percent for gas taxes and 10 percent for income taxes. State aid to local governments and school districts should stay the same, 65 percent of voters say, and 18 percent say aid should be increased. Only 14 percent say aid should be cut. Tax rebates should be kept the same, 46 percent say, with 31 percent who want an increase. Only 21 percent say cut the rebates. "Voters take the Goldilocks approach to big spending categories such as state aid to local government and tax rebates - not too high, not too low, they're just about right," Carroll said. "Voters are at least realistic. If the state makes cuts, it's bound to put a burden on local governments. Almost half of New Jerseyans - 44 percent - expect property taxes to go up." From January 13 - 18, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,175 New Jersey voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.9 percentage points. The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and nationally 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 Jon Corzine handled his job as Governor? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 34% 9% 52% 34% 33% 34% 26% 62% Disapprove 56 84 35 57 61 52 66 32 DK/NA 10 7 13 9 6 14 8 5 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 34% 36% 39% 40% 25% 31% 25% Disapprove 57 55 50 49 67 55 67 DK/NA 9 9 11 11 8 14 8 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jon Corzine is handling his job as Governor?(*handled his job) APPROVE.... DIS... High Low High Jan 20 Nov 24 Jun 10 May 20 Apr 18 Nov 24 Nov 24 2010* 2009 2009 2009 2007 2009 2009 Approve 34 31 36 38 51 31 31 Disapprove 56 59 56 53 36 59 59 DK/NA 10 10 9 9 13 10 10 2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 26% 9% 40% 24% 28% 24% 22% 41% Disapprove 61 79 45 64 64 58 65 41 DK/NA 13 12 16 12 8 18 13 19 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 26% 25% 40% 26% 18% 23% 23% Disapprove 64 63 45 60 68 59 72 DK/NA 10 12 15 14 14 18 5 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job? APPROVE....... DIS.. High Low High Jan 20 Nov 24 Jun 10 May 20 Jan 26 Jul 14 Jul 14 2010 2009 2009 2009 2005 2006 2006 Approve 26 21 28 28 44 20 20 Disapprove 61 65 56 55 31 71 71 DK/NA 13 15 16 17 25 10 10 3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way your state assembly member is handling his or her job? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 38% 28% 50% 34% 39% 38% 34% 56% Disapprove 41 53 30 45 43 40 44 29 DK/NA 20 19 20 21 18 22 22 15 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 41% 47% 50% 39% 42% 33% 29% Disapprove 39 34 30 40 37 45 54 DK/NA 20 19 20 21 21 22 16 4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way your state senator is handling his or her job? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 44% 25% 60% 40% 43% 46% 38% 66% Disapprove 44 63 28 48 48 40 49 27 DK/NA 12 12 12 12 9 14 13 7 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 51% 46% 58% 45% 39% 43% 36% Disapprove 41 43 37 43 48 46 47 DK/NA 8 11 5 12 12 12 17 5. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Frank Lautenberg is handling his job as United States Senator? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 46% 24% 69% 41% 46% 47% 41% 67% Disapprove 42 64 21 47 47 37 48 20 DK/NA 12 12 11 12 7 16 11 13 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 53% 47% 59% 50% 37% 43% 41% Disapprove 34 41 29 39 52 41 50 DK/NA 13 12 13 11 11 16 9 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Frank Lautenberg is handling his job as United States Senator? (*High approve also 55% Sep 1999 & Jul 1999) APPROVE....... DIS... High Low High Jan 20 Nov 24 Jun 10 May 20 Jul 27 Feb 20 Jan 20 2010 2009 2009 2009 2000* 2008 2010 Approve 46 40 44 46 55 39 46 Disapprove 42 41 36 37 22 31 42 DK/NA 12 20 19 18 23 29 12 6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Robert Menendez is handling his job as United States Senator? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 41% 13% 64% 40% 40% 43% 33% 65% Disapprove 41 68 20 44 48 35 48 22 DK/NA 17 19 16 16 11 22 19 14 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 45% 42% 64% 46% 23% 32% 38% Disapprove 36 44 29 38 57 40 47 DK/NA 19 14 8 16 20 27 15 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Robert Menendez is handling his job as United States Senator? APPROVE....... DIS.. High Low High Jan 20 Nov 24 Jun 10 May 20 Feb 4 Feb 20 Jan 20 2010 2009 2009 2009 2009 2008 2010 Approve 41 36 40 41 42 30 41 Disapprove 41 37 31 32 30 31 41 DK/NA 17 27 28 27 28 39 17 7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 55% 16% 86% 53% 53% 57% 45% 89% Disapprove 40 80 11 41 44 37 50 7 DK/NA 5 5 3 5 3 6 5 3 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 57% 56% 73% 58% 38% 58% 46% Disapprove 39 40 26 36 59 34 52 DK/NA 4 4 1 6 3 8 3 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? APPROVE....... DIS... High Low High Jan 20 Nov 24 Aug 12 Jun 10 Jun 10 Nov 24 Nov 24 2010 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 Approve 55 51 56 68 68 51 51 Disapprove 40 42 39 25 25 42 42 DK/NA 5 7 5 7 7 7 7 8. Is your opinion of Christopher Christie favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Favorable 33% 64% 13% 30% 35% 31% 41% 13% Unfavorable 27 6 48 19 25 29 22 43 Hvn't hrd enough 38 28 36 47 38 38 35 38 REFUSED 3 1 3 4 3 3 2 6 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Favorable 30% 31% 26% 29% 49% 23% 44% Unfavorable 35 25 33 31 19 29 17 Hvn't hrd enough 32 39 36 36 30 46 39 REFUSED 2 4 5 3 2 2 1 TREND: Is your opinion of - Christopher Christie favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? (*High also 36% Jun 2009) FAVORABLE..... High Low Jan 20 Nov 24 Jun 10 May 20 Apr 22 Nov 24 Aug 12 2010 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009* 2008 Favorable 33 36 36 33 31 36 21 Unfavorable 27 25 16 11 11 25 7 Hvn't hrd enough 38 37 46 54 56 37 69 REFUSED 3 2 2 2 1 2 2 11. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New Jersey today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Very satisfied 2% 1% 2% 2% 3% 1% - 5% Smwht satisfied 26 9 42 22 22 30 22 47 Smwht dissatisfied 33 32 31 36 32 34 34 33 Very dissatisfied 38 57 24 40 43 34 42 15 DK/NA 1 2 1 - 1 2 2 - Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Very satisfied 1% 2% 3% 3% - - 1% Smwht satisfied 22 22 42 30 18 18 20 Smwht dissatisfied 33 36 24 33 31 37 37 Very dissatisfied 43 40 32 33 48 43 41 DK/NA 1 - - 1 2 1 2 TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New Jersey today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? (*High also 71% Feb 1999) VERY+SMWHT.... High Low Jan 20 Nov 24 Jul 15 Jun 10 May 20 Dec 26 Nov 24 2010 2009 2009 2009 2009 2000* 2009 Very satisfied 2 1 3 3 2 10 1 Smwht satisfied 26 24 30 29 33 61 24 Smwht dissatisfied 33 31 33 34 31 21 31 Very dissatisfied 38 42 33 33 32 7 42 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 12. Do you think Governor Corzine's 4 years as Governor were mainly a success or mainly a failure? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Success 32% 8% 50% 30% 27% 37% 26% 52% Failure 59 89 37 61 64 54 67 36 DK/NA 10 3 13 9 9 10 8 13 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Success 34% 34% 40% 37% 22% 32% 22% Failure 58 56 53 53 70 56 70 DK/NA 8 10 7 10 9 12 8 13. Are you generally optimistic or pessimistic about the next four years with Chris Christie as Governor? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Optimistic 63% 83% 48% 65% 65% 61% 67% 54% Pessimistic 30 11 46 28 30 31 26 43 DK/NA 7 6 6 8 6 8 7 3 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Optimistic 58% 68% 61% 64% 73% 51% 65% Pessimistic 36 26 37 32 22 35 25 DK/NA 6 6 3 4 5 14 9 14. How serious do you think New Jersey's budget problems are - very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious, or not at all serious? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Very serious 80% 92% 73% 81% 81% 80% 83% 64% Smwht serious 17 7 21 18 18 16 16 26 Not too serious 2 - 5 1 2 2 1 7 Not at all serious - - - - - - - - DK/NA 1 - 2 - - 1 - 3 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Very serious 86% 81% 74% 77% 89% 85% 81% Smwht serious 11 17 20 22 9 13 14 Not too serious 3 1 3 1 - 2 5 Not at all serious - 1 - - 1 - - DK/NA - - 4 - - - - TREND: How serious do you think New Jersey's budget problems are - very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious, or not at all serious? (*High also 97% Nov 2009) VERY+SMWHT.... High Low Jan 20 Nov 24 Aug 12 Jun 11 Jun 16 Jan 20 Dec 11 2010 2009 2008 2008 2006 2010 2002 Very serious 80 83 67 66 58 80 35 Somewhat serious 17 14 28 29 34 17 51 Not too serious 2 1 2 2 4 2 10 Not at all serious - - - 1 1 - 1 DK/NA 1 2 3 2 3 1 3 15. Do you think the state legislature has the political courage to make unpopular budgetary decisions or do you think it will be business as usual in Trenton? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Has courage 15% 20% 12% 14% 14% 15% 15% 12% Business as usual 77 68 82 77 79 75 76 83 DK/NA 8 12 6 9 7 10 9 5 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Has courage 12% 15% 12% 16% 19% 12% 11% Business as usual 78 77 85 77 70 76 79 DK/NA 9 8 4 7 11 12 10 16. 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 Wht Blk Raising taxes 25% 4% 42% 21% 24% 26% 19% 49% Cutting services 62 84 45 65 66 59 70 38 DK/NA 13 12 14 14 10 15 11 13 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Raising taxes 27% 26% 33% 28% 18% 24% 17% Cutting services 56 64 52 60 74 59 70 DK/NA 16 10 15 12 8 17 13 TREND: To balance the state budget, if you had to choose, would you prefer raising taxes or cutting government programs and services? Jan 20 Nov 24 Mar 16 Jan 26 Apr 2 Dec 12 2010 2009 2006 2006 2003 2002 Raising taxes 25 23 29 28 32 28 Cutting services 62 68 58 57 54 61 DK/NA 13 9 13 16 14 12 17. If it is necessary to raise new revenues, which of the following would be your first choice to raise - tolls, gas taxes, income taxes or sales taxes? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Tolls 31% 32% 29% 32% 28% 34% 34% 28% Gas taxes 13 10 12 15 16 10 14 11 Income taxes 10 6 13 10 13 8 10 14 Sales taxes 34 36 36 30 33 34 31 41 DK/NA 12 15 9 13 11 13 12 6 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Tolls 33% 43% 23% 30% 37% 36% 29% Gas taxes 10 9 16 13 15 7 12 Income taxes 9 7 14 10 8 12 10 Sales taxes 36 30 37 37 25 33 33 DK/NA 12 11 10 10 15 13 15 TREND: If it is necessary to raise new revenues, which of the following would be your first choice to raise - tolls, gas taxes, income taxes, or sales taxes? Jan 20 Nov 24 Feb 20 2010 2009 2008 Tolls 31 30 23 Gas taxes 13 15 13 Income taxes 10 13 13 Sales taxes 34 28 31 DK/NA 12 14 20 18. To balance the state budget, if you had to choose, where do you think state spending should be decreased - health care, education, economic development or social services? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Health care 6% 6% 6% 5% 4% 7% 6% 1% Education 10 12 4 16 13 8 12 2 Economic dev 41 33 50 38 37 45 42 48 Social services 30 41 26 27 35 25 29 31 DK/NA 13 8 14 14 11 14 11 18 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Health care 4% 5% 2% 6% 9% 4% 8% Education 10 6 10 10 9 9 15 Economic 48 40 45 43 35 42 39 Social services 24 38 23 31 38 28 28 DK/NA 14 11 20 11 9 17 10 TREND: To balance the state budget, if you had to choose, where do you think state spending should be decreased - health care, education, economic development, or social services? Jan 20 Nov 24 2010 2009 Health care 6 7 Education 10 11 Economic dev 41 41 Social services 30 30 DK/NA 13 11 19. To help balance the state budget do you support or oppose layoffs or furloughs for state employees? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 58% 67% 45% 63% 62% 54% 65% 39% Oppose 35 27 49 28 32 37 28 50 DK/NA 7 6 6 10 6 8 7 11 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Support 50% 61% 46% 54% 71% 57% 66% Oppose 44 31 47 38 25 35 27 DK/NA 6 8 7 8 4 8 8 TREND: To help balance the state budget do you support or oppose - layoffs or furloughs for state employees? Jan 20 Nov 24 2010 2009 Support 58 61 Oppose 35 33 DK/NA 7 6 20. To help balance the state budget, do you support or oppose a wage freeze for state workers? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 71% 77% 64% 74% 76% 67% 76% 58% Oppose 23 16 30 20 19 27 20 31 DK/NA 6 7 5 6 5 6 4 11 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Support 62% 68% 55% 72% 77% 75% 74% Oppose 38 27 30 24 18 23 20 DK/NA - 5 15 4 5 2 6 TREND: To help balance the state budget, do you support or oppose a wage freeze for state workers? Jan 20 Nov 24 2010 2009 Support 71 75 Oppose 23 21 DK/NA 6 4 21. Do you think state aid to local governments and school districts should be increased, decreased, or kept about the same? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Increased 18% 16% 28% 12% 17% 19% 15% 28% Decreased 14 24 8 13 16 12 16 10 Kept the same 65 57 63 72 64 66 67 60 DK/NA 3 3 2 3 2 3 3 2 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Increased 23% 21% 31% 18% 18% 18% 9% Decreased 13 11 8 14 14 14 20 Kept the same 62 66 58 66 66 64 68 DK/NA 2 3 3 2 2 4 3 TREND: Do you think state aid to local governments and school districts should be increased, decreased, or kept about the same? Jan 20 Nov 24 2010 2009 Increased 18 20 Decreased 14 16 Kept the same 65 60 DK/NA 3 4 22. Do you think state aid to your local government and your school district should be increased, decreased, or kept about the same? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Increased 21% 18% 28% 15% 20% 21% 17% 24% Decreased 14 21 8 15 15 13 16 9 Kept the same 64 60 63 67 64 64 64 67 DK/NA 2 2 1 3 2 2 3 - Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Increased 24% 25% 36% 21% 20% 20% 9% Decreased 11 10 6 15 14 14 19 Kept the same 61 63 57 63 66 64 68 DK/NA 3 2 1 1 - 2 5 TREND: Do you think state aid to your local government and your school district should be increased, decreased, or kept about the same? Jan 20 Nov 24 2010 2009 Increased 21 21 Decreased 14 15 Kept the same 64 62 DK/NA 2 2 23. Do you think state aid to urban local governments and urban school districts should be increased, decreased, or kept about the same? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Increased 27% 12% 40% 23% 25% 28% 19% 49% Decreased 20 36 9 21 23 17 24 10 Kept the same 51 51 49 53 50 52 55 41 DK/NA 2 2 2 3 2 3 3 - Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Increased 26% 22% 42% 30% 19% 29% 10% Decreased 17 23 9 18 25 20 30 Kept the same 54 53 48 49 55 47 57 DK/NA 2 3 1 2 1 3 4 TREND: Do you think state aid to urban local governments and urban school districts should be increased, decreased, or kept about the same? Jan 20 Nov 24 2010 2009 Increased 27 24 Decreased 20 21 Kept the same 51 51 DK/NA 2 4 24. Do you think tax rebates should be increased, decreased, or kept about the same? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Increased 31% 38% 29% 27% 27% 33% 28% 29% Decreased 21 17 20 24 25 17 24 10 Kept the same 46 41 50 45 44 47 44 61 DK/NA 3 4 1 4 4 2 4 - Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Increased 31% 31% 27% 36% 28% 26% 29% Decreased 23 18 18 19 26 18 24 Kept the same 41 47 53 42 41 55 42 DK/NA 5 3 2 3 4 1 5 TREND: Do you think tax rebates should be increased, decreased, or kept about the same? Jan 20 Nov 24 2010 2009 Increased 31 29 Decreased 21 21 Kept the same 46 45 DK/NA 3 5 25. To help finance road improvements and mass transportation, would you support or oppose an increase in the gasoline tax? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 39% 30% 44% 39% 47% 31% 40% 45% Oppose 59 69 54 58 52 66 58 55 DK/NA 2 1 2 3 1 4 2 - Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Support 43% 32% 47% 37% 40% 32% 40% Oppose 55 67 52 61 59 63 59 DK/NA 2 1 1 2 2 5 1 TREND: To help finance road improvements and mass transportation, would you support or oppose an increase in the gasoline tax? (*Jan 2005 question did not include "and mass transportation") Jan 20 Nov 24 Dec 11 Mar 16 Jan 26 Jan 27 2010 2009 2007 2006 2006 2005 Support 39 37 24 31 27 39 Oppose 59 62 74 67 69 57 DK/NA 2 2 2 3 3 4 26. With Christopher Christie as Governor, do you think your property taxes will go up, go down or stay about the same? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Go up 44% 24% 55% 47% 39% 49% 39% 61% Go down 9 15 7 7 9 9 9 5 Stay the same 40 54 32 39 45 36 45 27 DK/NA 6 6 6 7 7 6 7 7 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Go up 53% 47% 46% 47% 37% 51% 36% Go down 6 8 13 10 7 7 7 Stay the same 37 42 31 37 50 37 49 DK/NA 4 4 9 6 6 6 7 27. One recommendation to raise the money needed to fund a cut in property taxes is to merge neighboring municipal governments and school districts. Would you support or oppose merging school districts or governments in the county in which you live if it meant lowering your property taxes? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 74% 69% 75% 78% 74% 73% 76% 70% Oppose 21 22 23 17 21 22 19 27 DK/NA 5 9 2 4 5 4 6 3 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Support 73% 67% 71% 68% 79% 80% 77% Oppose 21 29 26 28 15 15 15 DK/NA 6 5 3 4 6 5 8 TREND: One recommendation to raise the money needed to fund a cut in property taxes is to merge neighboring municipal governments and school districts. Would you support or oppose merging school districts or governments in the county in which you live if it meant lowering your property taxes? Jan 20 Nov 24 Dec 6 2010 2009 2006 Support 74 73 61 Oppose 21 22 31 DK/NA 5 5 8 34. Do you think Governor Christie will or will not end corruption? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Will 34% 58% 23% 31% 34% 35% 39% 20% Will not 61 38 71 65 62 59 56 73 DK/NA 5 3 6 5 4 6 4 7 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Will 32% 35% 34% 32% 44% 28% 39% Will not 64 60 61 63 53 68 55 DK/NA 4 5 5 5 3 5 6 35. Do you think Governor Christie will or will not seek to impose limits on local spending to cut property taxes? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Will 62% 78% 54% 57% 61% 62% 66% 52% Will not 30 16 37 33 30 30 25 42 DK/NA 8 6 9 10 9 8 8 6 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Will 58% 58% 58% 61% 74% 56% 62% Will not 32 33 35 31 21 35 28 DK/NA 11 9 8 8 5 9 10 36. Do you think Governor Christie will or will not curb state spending? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Will 63% 82% 50% 62% 68% 58% 69% 42% Will not 33 15 46 32 29 37 28 54 DK/NA 4 3 4 6 3 5 4 4 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Will 57% 68% 55% 61% 79% 55% 66% Will not 35 28 40 36 19 38 29 DK/NA 7 4 5 3 2 7 5 37. Do you think Governor Christie will or will not create jobs through economic development projects? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Will 48% 62% 36% 46% 50% 46% 50% 38% Will not 42 28 55 40 42 42 39 55 DK/NA 10 10 8 14 9 12 11 7 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Will 39% 48% 49% 46% 55% 43% 48% Will not 52 43 39 44 34 49 40 DK/NA 9 9 12 10 11 7 13 38. Do you think Governor Christie will or will not get tough with state workers' unions? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Will 65% 76% 60% 65% 67% 64% 69% 54% Will not 26 16 31 25 26 26 23 36 DK/NA 9 8 9 11 7 11 8 9 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Will 76% 68% 66% 62% 78% 64% 61% Will not 18 24 22 28 18 26 31 DK/NA 7 8 12 10 4 10 8 39. Which of the following do you think should be Governor Christie's top priority - A) Curb state spending, B) Get tough with the teachers' unions, C) End corruption, D) Seek to impose curbs on local spending to cut property taxes, E) Create jobs through economic development projects, F) Get tough with state workers' unions? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Curb state spending 28% 36% 24% 27% 28% 29% 30% 29% Get tough w/ teachers' unions 3 4 2 5 4 3 4 2 End corruption 20 25 17 20 21 19 21 13 Curb local spending 13 15 13 13 11 14 12 12 Create jobs 25 11 35 24 23 26 22 38 Get tough w/state workers' unions 6 5 4 7 7 4 7 3 OTHER(VOL)SPECIFY 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 1 DK/NA 2 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 Union HvKids Philly Hshlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Curb state spending 22% 27% 21% 28% 34% 28% 30% Get tough w/ teachers' unions 4 3 1 2 5 4 6 End corruption 29 20 25 20 22 19 17 Curb local spending 15 15 16 15 10 11 10 Create jobs 24 27 26 25 20 29 22 Get tough w/state workers' unions 3 6 6 5 6 4 8 OTHER(VOL)SPECIFY 3 1 1 3 3 3 4 DK/NA 1 2 3 2 - 2 2
