July 26, 2007 - Congestion Pricing Is Bad, But Fare Hikes Are Worse, New York City Voters Tell Quinnipiac University Poll; Most Say Bring Back Board Of Education Word format New York City voters oppose congestion pricing 52 - 41 percent, but would support the measure 58 - 36 percent if congestion pricing fees were used to prevent hikes in mass transit fares and bridge and tunnel tolls, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Manhattan voters support congestion pricing 59 - 37 percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Voters in the other boroughs oppose it: 53 - 38 percent in Queens; 59 - 35 percent in Brooklyn; 61 - 34 percent in The Bronx; 60 - 32 percent in Staten Island. Men support congestion pricing 49 - 46 percent while women oppose it 58 - 35 percent. When congestion pricing is linked to fares and tolls, support ranges from 50 - 41 percent in The Bronx to 68 - 26 percent in Manhattan. "Albany finally pieced together a sort of a congestion pricing deal. But New Yorkers outside Manhattan still think it's a bad idea," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "But voters dislike fare hikes even more than congestion pricing. So if - IF - congestion pricing helps avoid a hike in mass transit fares and bridge and tunnel tolls, New Yorkers would back it. "It's interesting to note the 16-point gender gap on the congestion pricing issue, with women opposing the idea by 13 points while men narrowly support it." In an open-ended question, where respondents can give any answer, 16 percent of New York City voters list education as the most important problem facing the city today, followed by 12 percent who list terrorism, 11 percent who cite the economy and 10 percent who list crime. Another 9 percent list transportation, the highest ranking for this issue since Quinnipiac University began asking the "most important problem" question in 1996. Traffic congestion is at 4 percent, also the highest ranking ever. Voters approve 52 - 33 percent of the way Bloomberg is handling the public schools and approve 41 - 39 percent of the job Schools Chancellor Joel Klein is doing. Bloomberg's take-over of the public schools has been a success, voters say 51 - 27 percent, including 53 - 32 percent among parents of children in public school. But voters are negative or mixed on several other questions, saying: 45 - 33 percent that the bureaucracy has not effectively addressed teacher concerns; 47 - 37 percent that the bureaucracy has effectively addressed public concerns; 41 - 37 percent that the bureaucracy has effectively addressed parent concerns; 61 - 28 percent that parents should have more say in how public schools are run. When Bloomberg leaves office, the next mayor should share control of the public schools with a board of education, 51 percent of voters say, while 28 percent say the next mayor should continue total control of the public schools and 9 percent say the next mayor should give up all control of the public schools. "Education remains the city's top problem, but most New Yorkers think that Bloomberg is doing a good job handling the schools," Carroll said. "There's ambivalence, though. Most call Bloomberg's take-over of the public schools a success. But a majority thinks it should stop with him, that his successor should share control. And a large majority would like parents to have more say in how public schools are run." From July 18 - 23, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,194 New York City registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points. The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and nationwide as a public service and for research. For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x271.xml, or call (203) 582-5201. 3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joel Klein is handling his job as New York City Schools Chancellor? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 41% 41% 41% 42% 41% 40% 41% Disapprove 39 34 40 38 34 51 39 DK/NA 20 25 19 20 25 10 19 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 39% 40% 44% 43% 43% 47% 37% Disapprove 49 39 35 36 34 35 42 DK/NA 12 21 21 21 22 18 21 HaveKids InPubSch Approve 45% Disapprove 48 DK/NA 7 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joel Klein is handling his job as New York City Schools Chancellor? Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jul 26 May 23 Mar 15 Jul 12 Apr 12 Feb 26 Mar 15 2007 2007 2007 2006 2006 2003 2007 Approve 41 37 33 37 38 46 33 Disapprove 39 39 43 40 39 27 43 DK/NA 20 23 24 22 23 28 24 9. What do you think is the most important problem facing New York City today? Tot Education Total 16% Education general 11 Teachers 1 Funding education 2 School choice/Vouchers 1 Education other 1 Terrorism Total 12% Terrorism general 8 Security/Safety 4 Economy Total 11% Economy general 2 Unemployment/jobs 4 Cost of living 5 Crime Total 10% Crime/Violence general 9 Drugs 1 Housing Total 9% Housing Costs/ Availability 8 Rent control/ Stabilization 1 Transportation Total 9% Quality mass transit/ Public trans 3 Traffic congestion (roads/highways) 4 Poor conditions roads/highways 2 Environment/Pollution 3% Healthcare/Costs/ Ins/HMO's 2% Immigration 2% Police Total 2% Police general 1 Police brutality/ Racism 1 Politicians Total 2% Political corruption 1 Mayor/City leadership 1 Poverty/Homeless 2% Taxes Total 2% Taxes general 1 Property tax 1 Budget general 1 Children's issues 1 Class inequality 1 Gun control 1 Overcrowding/Over population 1 Quality of life 1 Racism/Race relations 1 War (Iraq) 1 Other 3 DK/NA 3 TREND: What do you think is the most important problem facing New York City today? Jul 26 Jul 12 Apr 12 Mar 8 Feb 2 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 Crime Total 10% 12% 11% 12% 11% Crime/Violence general 9 10 8 10 9 Gangs/Youth crime - 1 1 1 1 Drugs 1 1 2 1 1 Economy Total 11% 11% 14% 11% 15% Economy general 2 3 3 1 3 Unemployment/jobs 4 4 5 5 7 Minimum wage too low - - - - 1 Cost of living 5 4 6 5 4 Education Total 16% 19% 24% 25% 25% Education general 11 15 19 20 20 Teachers 1 1 1 2 1 Funding education 2 2 2 3 3 School choice/Vouchers 1 1 1 - 1 Education other 1 - 1 - - Environment/Pollution 3% 1 1 1 - Housing Total 9% 12% 10% 10% 11% Housing general - 1 1 2 3 Housing Costs/Availability 8 11 8 8 7 Rent control/Stabilization 1 - 1 - 1 Immigration 2% 2% 3% 1% 1% Police Total 2% 1% 1% 1% - Police general 1 1 1 1 - Police brutality/Racism 1 - - - - Politicians/Campaigns Total 2% 2% - 3% - Politicians/Campaigns general - - - 1 - Political corruption 1 1 - 1 - Mayor/City leadership 1 1 - 1 - Poverty/Homeless 2% 1% 2% 3% 3% Taxes Total 2% 2% 3% 3% 3% Taxes general 1 2 2 2 2 Property tax 1 - 1 1 1 Terrorism/Security Total 12% 10% 6% 6% 6% Terrorism general 8 6 3 3 3 Security/Safety 4 4 3 3 3 Transportation Total 9% 2% 3% 3% 4% Better mass trans/Public trans 3 2 1 1 2 Traffic congestion (roads/highways) 4 - 1 - 1 Poor condition of roads/highways 2 - - 1 - Transportation other - - 1 1 1 Other 3 5 5 6 6 DK/NA 3 4 6 5 5 17. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling the public schools? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 52% 60% 52% 52% 55% 49% 51% Disapprove 33 27 37 32 27 41 37 DK/NA 14 13 12 15 17 10 12 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 51% 51% 54% 54% 51% 59% 47% Disapprove 36 35 29 33 35 29 37 DK/NA 12 14 17 13 14 12 16 HaveKids InPubSch Approve 56% Disapprove 39 DK/NA 5 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Mayor Bloomberg is handling the public schools? (* = ...of the way "Michael" Bloomberg...) Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jul 26 Mar 15 Mar 8 Sep 22 Apr 1 Mar 8 May 7 2007* 2007* 2006 2005 2004 2006 2003* Approve 52 50 54 52 42 54 35 Disapprove 33 39 34 33 45 34 52 DK/NA 14 11 13 14 13 13 12 18. Are you generally satisfied with the quality of the public schools in New York City, or are you not satisfied? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Satisfied 25% 30% 24% 24% 23% 22% 30% Not satisfied 63 55 64 67 61 73 62 DK/NA 12 15 12 9 16 6 8 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Satisfied 21% 26% 18% 29% 34% 31% 19% Not satisfied 73 60 67 60 57 60 66 DK/NA 6 14 15 11 9 9 14 HaveKids InPubSch Satisfied 34% Not satisfied 64 DK/NA 3 TREND: Are you generally satisfied with the quality of the public schools in New York City, or are you not satisfied? * - also 12% on 2/5/04, 3/27/02, 4/20/00, 3/31/97 Highest Lowest Satis Satis Jul 26 Mar 15 Mar 8 Sep 22 Feb 5 Jul 26 Feb 5 2007 2007 2006 2005 2004 2007 2004 * Satisfied 25 19 21 21 12 25 12 Not satisfied 63 64 67 66 74 63 74 DK/NA 12 16 12 13 13 12 13 19. Are you generally satisfied with the quality of public schools in your neighborhood, or are you not satisfied? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Satisfied 38% 43% 39% 34% 45% 28% 36% Not satisfied 46 41 46 49 33 63 54 DK/NA 16 16 14 17 22 9 9 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Satisfied 36% 40% 28% 45% 47% 41% 36% Not satisfied 54 45 48 42 38 45 47 DK/NA 11 15 24 13 15 14 18 HaveKids InPubSch Satisfied 40% Not satisfied 55 DK/NA 5 TREND: Are you generally satisfied with the quality of the public schools in your neighborhood, or are you not satisfied? Highest Lowest Satis Satis Jul 26 Mar 15 Mar 8 Feb 5 Oct 22 Mar 31 Feb 5 2007 2007 2006 2004 2003 1997 2004 Satisfied 38 34 36 27 30 41 27 Not satisfied 46 47 46 56 52 40 56 DK/NA 16 19 18 17 18 19 17 20. Do you think Mayor Bloomberg's take-over of the public schools has been a success or failure? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Success 51% 57% 49% 54% 52% 49% 49% Failure 27 26 30 27 22 34 32 DK/NA 22 18 22 20 26 17 19 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Success 50% 52% 48% 54% 55% 58% 46% Failure 33 29 25 23 26 22 31 DK/NA 18 20 27 23 19 19 24 HaveKids InPubSch Success 53% Failure 32 DK/NA 15 TREND: Do you think Mayor Bloomberg's take-over of the public schools has been a success or failure? Jul 26 Mar 15 2007 2007 Success 51 39 Failure 27 34 DK/NA 22 27 21. Since the Mayor took control of New York City public schools, do you think that the New York City bureaucracy has more effectively addressed teacher concerns or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Yes 33% 33% 33% 30% 29% 35% 32% No 45 46 47 47 41 54 48 DK/NA 22 21 20 23 29 12 19 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Yes 36% 32% 32% 33% 29% 35% 31% No 50 48 35 47 52 42 48 DK/NA 14 20 33 20 18 23 22 HaveKids InPubSch Yes 40% No 48 DK/NA 13 22. Since the Mayor took control of New York City public schools, do you think that the New York City bureaucracy has more effectively addressed public concerns or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Yes 47% 52% 47% 50% 50% 42% 44% No 37 35 39 34 31 48 38 DK/NA 16 13 15 16 18 10 17 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Yes 47% 45% 51% 47% 48% 52% 44% No 40 39 30 38 34 32 41 DK/NA 13 16 19 15 17 16 16 HaveKids InPubSch Yes 52% No 36 DK/NA 12 23. Since the Mayor took control of New York City public schools, do you think that the New York City bureaucracy has more effectively addressed parent concerns or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Yes 41% 45% 39% 41% 40% 41% 42% No 37 34 39 38 31 47 41 DK/NA 22 21 22 22 29 11 17 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Yes 44% 43% 38% 38% 44% 46% 36% No 39 37 32 42 38 30 43 DK/NA 18 20 30 20 18 23 21 HaveKids InPubSch Yes 47% No 43 DK/NA 9 24. Do you think that parents have enough say in how New York City public schools are run or do you think they should have more say? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Yes/Enough 28% 35% 24% 33% 38% 16% 17% No/More 61 53 65 57 46 79 79 DK/NA 11 12 11 10 17 6 4 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Yes/Enough 22% 26% 31% 30% 33% 32% 25% No/More 70 61 54 62 58 60 62 DK/NA 8 13 15 8 9 8 13 HaveKids InPubSch Yes/Enough 15% No/More 81 DK/NA 4 25. When Michael Bloomberg leaves office, do you think that the next mayor should retain complete control of the public schools, should share control with an independent school board, or should give up all control of the public schools? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Retain control 28% 40% 27% 29% 35% 19% 26% Share control 51 39 55 50 46 59 54 Give up control 9 10 9 10 7 13 13 DK/NA 11 11 9 11 13 9 7 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Retain control 27% 27% 27% 28% 45% 35% 23% Share control 54 50 53 53 37 45 57 Give up control 11 11 10 7 8 10 9 DK/NA 8 11 11 13 10 11 11 HaveKids InPubSch Retain control 25% Share control 53 Give up control 11 DK/NA 11 26. The Bloomberg administration has suggested using congestion pricing to reduce traffic in New York City by charging a fee for vehicles that drive south of 86th Street in Manhattan. Do you support or oppose the Bloomberg administration's congestion pricing plan? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Support 41% 33% 42% 45% 46% 31% 41% Oppose 52 63 53 48 47 63 55 DK/NA 6 5 5 6 7 5 5 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Support 34% 35% 59% 38% 32% 49% 35% Oppose 61 59 37 53 60 46 58 DK/NA 5 6 4 9 8 5 7 27. Would you support congestion pricing if the money were used to prevent an increase in mass transit fares and bridge and tunnel tolls? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Yes 58% 52% 57% 62% 57% 56% 63% No 36 41 37 32 36 41 31 DK/NA 6 7 6 6 7 4 6 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Yes 50% 59% 68% 52% 54% 60% 56% No 41 34 26 44 43 34 38 DK/NA 9 7 6 4 4 6 6
