March 24, 2009 - Voters Say Mayor Mike Is Cold As His Approval Chills, Quinnipiac University New York City Poll Finds; He's A Fat Cat, But Still The Top Cat In Mayor's Race Word format Mayor Michael Bloomberg is cold and businesslike, not warm and friendly, New York City voters say 55 - 30 percent in a Quinnipiac University poll released today. The Mayor's approval rating, still over 2 - 1, is 64 - 28 percent, his lowest score in his second term. The personality finding is consistent among blacks, whites and Hispanics, men and women and in all five boroughs, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Because he is the wealthiest person in New York, Mayor Bloomberg is less able to understand the needs and problems of average New Yorkers, 47 percent of voters say, but 49 percent say his wealth does not affect his ability to understand. If the 2009 mayoral election were held today: Bloomberg tops New York City Comptroller William Thompson 49 - 35 percent, compared to 50 - 33 percent February 24; Bloomberg beats U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner 46 - 36 percent, compared to 48 - 36 percent last month. Weiner tops Thompson among Democrats 30 - 23 percent, with 38 percent undecided. "New Yorkers don't warm up to Mayor Mike, but they give him high marks for doing his job. And they prefer him to either of the Brooklyn guys who say they want his job - Comptroller William Thompson, who's still in the race, and U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner, who's backing down, but catching up to Bloomberg," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Voters split almost evenly on whether the Mayor is too rich to understand the common folk. But by a 62 - 31 percent margin, they have a favorable opinion of him, while most voters know very little about those other two guys who may want to take him on." The economy is the most important issue in deciding who they will choose for Mayor, 52 percent of New York City voters say, as 21 percent list education, 10 percent cite mass transit and 9 percent say taxes. Only 5 percent list crime. Voters approve 47 - 40 percent of the way Bloomberg is handling the public schools and say 46 - 33 percent that his takeover of the public schools has been a success. Voters with children in the public schools disapprove 54 - 41 percent of Bloomberg's handling of the schools and split 42 - 40 percent on whether the takeover has been a success. New York City voters say 52 - 37 percent, including 47 - 40 percent among parents, that mayoral control of the public schools should continue. In separate questions, voters say 53 - 37 percent that the Mayor should share control of the public schools with the City Council, and 50 - 41 percent that he should share control of the schools with the borough presidents. And by a 62 - 29 percent margin, including 67 - 28 percent among parents of school children, New York City voters support the expansion of charter schools. Support is strong among all political and racial groups and in all the boroughs. "New York City voters to Albany: Let Bloomberg continue to run the schools. But have him share control with the City Council or the borough presidents," Carroll said. Voters approve 68 - 25 percent of term limits and disapprove 57 - 39 percent of the City Council action to extend term limits from two four-year terms to three terms. And by a 62 - 31 percent margin, voters want to restore the two-term limit after this year's elections. "Term limits are good and should be brought back - after Bloomberg's election - New Yorkers say," Carroll said. New York City voters approve 54 - 34 percent of the way Bloomberg is handling the city budget. A total of 94 percent of voters say the city budget problems are "very serious" or "somewhat serious." From March 17 - 22, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,142 New York City registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.9 percentage points. The survey includes 766 Democrats with a margin of error of +/- 3.5 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 or RSS feed - http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201. 1. (If registered Democrat) As you may know, there will be a New York City mayoral election this year. Thinking about the Democratic primary for mayor, if the 2009 Democratic primary for mayor were being held today and the candidates were Anthony Weiner and William Thompson, for whom would you vote? Reg Dems Weiner 30% Thompson 23 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 4 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 5 DK/NA 38 TREND:(If registered Democrat) As you may know, there will be a New York City mayoral election this year. Thinking about the Democratic primary for mayor, if the 2009 Democratic primary for mayor were being held today and the candidates were Anthony Weiner and William Thompson, for whom would you vote? (*Someone Else & Wouldn't Vote volunteered options not in option list) REGISTERED DEMOCRATS.. Mar 24 Feb 24 Jan 27 2009 2009 2009* Weiner 30 32 30 Thompson 23 22 23 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 4 2 - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 5 2 - DK/NA 38 42 47 2. If the 2009 election for mayor were being held today, and the candidates were Anthony Weiner the Democrat and Michael Bloomberg the Independent, for whom would you vote? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Weiner 36% 16% 43% 32% 28% 56% 42% Bloomberg 46 71 41 46 53 30 44 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 1 2 1 - 3 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 4 1 2 2 2 4 DK/NA 15 8 14 17 16 11 8 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Weiner 39% 47% 29% 31% 30% 35% 37% Bloomberg 45 34 52 50 62 49 43 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 2 2 1 - 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 6 1 - 2 2 2 2 DK/NA 10 16 17 17 6 12 17 TREND: If the 2009 election for mayor were being held today, and the candidates were Anthony Weiner the Democrat and Michael Bloomberg the Independent, for whom would you vote? Mar 24 Feb 24 Jan 27 Nov 25 2009 2009 2009 2008 Weiner 36 36 35 34 Bloomberg 46 48 50 50 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 2 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 2 1 1 DK/NA 15 13 12 13 3. If the 2009 election for mayor were being held today, and the candidates were William Thompson the Democrat and Michael Bloomberg the Independent, for whom would you vote? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Thompson 35% 12% 41% 31% 23% 55% 41% Bloomberg 49 76 45 49 59 30 49 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - 1 3 1 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 3 1 1 1 1 3 DK/NA 14 9 13 16 16 12 5 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Thompson 40% 43% 25% 31% 33% 33% 36% Bloomberg 44 43 57 49 57 51 47 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - 4 1 1 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 4 1 - 1 1 2 1 DK/NA 11 13 14 19 9 12 15 TREND: If the 2009 election for mayor were being held today, and the candidates were William Thompson the Democrat and Michael Bloomberg the Independent, for whom would you vote? Mar 24 Feb 24 Jan 27 Nov 25 2009 2009 2009 2008 Thompson 35 33 34 34 Bloomberg 49 50 50 49 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 2 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 2 1 2 DK/NA 14 13 13 14 4. Is your opinion of - Michael Bloomberg favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Favorable 62% 77% 62% 58% 71% 51% 54% Unfavorable 31 21 31 33 25 40 39 Hvn't hrd enough 3 - 2 4 2 4 5 REFUSED 4 1 4 4 3 5 2 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Favorable 57% 57% 70% 63% 69% 66% 59% Unfavorable 34 36 26 30 25 28 33 Hvn't hrd enough 3 3 1 4 3 2 4 REFUSED 7 4 2 3 3 4 4 TREND: Is your opinion of - Michael Bloomberg favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Mar 24 Feb 24 Jan 27 Nov 25 2009 2009 2009 2008 Favorable 62 62 66 61 Unfavorable 31 32 28 31 Hvn't hrd enough 3 2 3 4 REFUSED 4 4 3 3 5. Is your opinion of - Anthony Weiner favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Favorable 31% 23% 35% 28% 37% 28% 27% Unfavorable 13 26 10 14 13 8 15 Hvn't hrd enough 55 49 55 56 48 62 56 REFUSED 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Favorable 19% 38% 35% 27% 30% 34% 29% Unfavorable 11 11 13 13 21 16 10 Hvn't hrd enough 68 50 50 58 48 47 60 REFUSED 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 TREND: Is your opinion of - Anthony Weiner favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Mar 24 Feb 24 Jan 27 Nov 25 2009 2009 2009 2008 Favorable 31 32 34 31 Unfavorable 13 12 10 10 Hvn't hrd enough 55 55 54 57 REFUSED 2 2 2 2 6. Is your opinion of - William Thompson favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Favorable 25% 16% 28% 22% 19% 39% 27% Unfavorable 5 9 5 6 5 5 6 Hvn't hrd enough 68 73 66 70 74 55 66 REFUSED 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Favorable 25% 29% 21% 23% 28% 28% 23% Unfavorable 5 6 7 4 5 6 5 Hvn't hrd enough 66 65 70 72 67 65 71 REFUSED 3 1 2 1 1 2 2 TREND: Is your opinion of - William Thompson favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Mar 24 Feb 24 Jan 27 Nov 25 2009 2009 2009 2008 Favorable 25 22 25 25 Unfavorable 5 5 5 4 Hvn't hrd enough 68 71 69 70 REFUSED 2 1 2 1 7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling his job as Mayor? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 64% 80% 62% 64% 73% 54% 53% Disapprove 28 15 29 29 21 35 37 DK/NA 8 5 9 7 5 11 9 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 60% 58% 74% 63% 74% 68% 61% Disapprove 30 35 22 25 21 26 30 DK/NA 10 7 4 12 5 7 9 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling his job as Mayor? (*also 75% on 10/03/08, 3/12/08, 1/16/07 & 11/17/05) APPROVE....... High Low Mar 24 Feb 24 Jan 27 Nov 25 Oct 21 Oct 21 Jul 2 2009 2009 2009 2008 2008 2008* 2003 Approve 64 65 69 66 75 75 31 Disapprove 28 29 25 27 20 20 60 DK/NA 8 6 6 7 6 6 8 8. 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 37% 48% 36% 35% 41% 34% 34% Disapprove 35 24 35 39 28 42 37 DK/NA 28 28 28 27 30 24 29 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 35% 39% 39% 36% 39% 43% 33% Disapprove 35 36 29 39 38 29 40 DK/NA 30 26 32 26 23 28 27 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joel Klein is handling his job as New York City Schools Chancellor? APPROVE....... High Low Mar 24 Feb 24 Jan 27 Nov 25 Oct 3 Feb 26 Mar 15 2009 2009 2009 2008 2008 2003 2007 Approve 37 44 43 43 42 46 33 Disapprove 35 36 36 35 38 27 43 DK/NA 28 20 21 22 20 28 24 9. Do you approve or disapprove of the way William Thompson is handling his job as City Comptroller? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 41% 34% 46% 36% 38% 50% 41% Disapprove 12 15 11 12 9 14 15 DK/NA 47 51 43 51 53 36 44 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 45% 42% 35% 41% 52% 48% 36% Disapprove 10 15 9 14 5 11 13 DK/NA 45 43 55 45 42 42 51 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way William Thompson is handling his job as City Comptroller? APPROVE....... High Low Mar 24 Feb 24 Jan 27 Nov 25 Oct 3 Oct 3 Feb 26 2009 2009 2009 2008 2008 2008 2003 Approve 41 46 48 48 53 53 35 Disapprove 12 11 12 12 13 13 13 DK/NA 47 44 40 40 34 34 52 10. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New York City today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Very satisfied 8% 13% 7% 7% 11% 4% 7% Smwht satisfied 45 47 46 46 52 44 32 Smwht dissatisfied 31 27 31 33 27 36 32 Very dissatisfied 14 13 14 13 8 15 28 DK/NA 1 - 1 1 1 2 1 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Very satisfied 7% 5% 11% 8% 5% 10% 6% Smwht satisfied 43 42 54 39 56 45 45 Smwht dissatisfied 32 38 20 36 28 30 32 Very dissatisfied 17 14 15 15 8 13 16 DK/NA 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New York City today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? VERY+SMWHT... High Low Mar 24 Feb 24 Jan 28 Nov 25 Oct 21 Feb 11 Jul 2 2009 2009 2009 2008 2008 1998 2003 Very satisfied 8 5 8 6 14 18 7 Smwht satisfied 45 44 47 42 46 58 23 Smwht dissatisfied 31 33 30 32 24 18 32 Very dissatisfied 14 17 15 18 14 5 38 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11. Generally speaking, do you favor or oppose setting limits on the number of years elected officials can hold office? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Favor 68% 67% 69% 69% 65% 74% 68% Oppose 25 25 26 24 29 19 25 DK/NA 6 8 5 8 6 7 7 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Favor 69% 69% 65% 71% 65% 67% 69% Oppose 25 27 26 23 26 28 23 DK/NA 6 5 9 6 9 5 7 TREND: Generally speaking, do you favor or oppose setting limits on the number of years elected officials can hold office? Mar 24 Feb 24 Jan 27 Oct 21 Oct 3 Jul 16 Mar 1 2009 2009 2009 2008 2008 2008 2001 Favor 68 70 69 62 65 71 67 Oppose 25 25 25 29 29 23 28 DK/NA 6 5 6 9 6 6 5 12. As you may know, the City Council extended term limits from two to three terms for New York City elected officials. Do you approve or disapprove of this extension of term limits? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 39% 51% 38% 36% 45% 33% 33% Disapprove 57 46 58 58 51 63 62 DK/NA 5 3 4 6 4 4 5 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 32% 36% 44% 37% 58% 40% 38% Disapprove 62 60 50 60 37 56 57 DK/NA 7 4 6 3 5 4 5 TREND: As you may know, the City Council extended term limits from two to three terms for New York City elected officials. Do you approve or disapprove of this extension of term limits? Mar 24 Feb 24 Jan 27 2009 2009 2009 Approve 39 38 42 Disapprove 57 56 56 DK/NA 5 5 3 13. Do you think the two-term limit should be restored after the 2009 New York City elections or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Yes 62% 57% 63% 62% 54% 70% 72% No 31 39 29 30 40 25 19 DK/NA 7 4 7 8 6 5 9 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Yes 67% 65% 57% 64% 55% 59% 65% No 26 30 34 28 40 35 27 DK/NA 8 5 9 8 5 6 8 TREND: Do you think the two-term limit should be restored after the 2009 New York City elections or not? Mar 24 Feb 24 Jan 27 2009 2009 2009 Yes 62 63 61 No 31 31 33 DK/NA 7 6 6 14. Would you say that Michael Bloomberg is - warm and friendly or cold and businesslike? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Warm/friendly 30% 34% 31% 26% 28% 28% 31% Cold/businesslike 55 46 57 57 56 54 62 DK/NA 15 20 13 17 16 18 6 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Warm/friendly 33% 29% 32% 27% 21% 28% 31% Cold/businesslike 56 56 51 57 60 60 52 DK/NA 10 15 16 16 19 12 17 TREND: Would you say that Michael Bloomberg is - warm and friendly or cold and business like? Mar 24 Feb 4 2009 2004 Warm/Friendly 30 20 Cold/Businesslike 55 66 DK/NA 15 13 15. How much does this matter to you - a lot, some, only a little, or not at all? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp A lot 30% 27% 31% 30% 25% 37% 39% Some 25 25 25 26 24 24 23 Only a little 19 15 19 21 20 16 18 Not at all 24 33 23 21 29 21 20 DK/NA 2 - 1 2 2 2 - Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom A lot 39% 34% 20% 32% 21% 28% 31% Some 21 24 26 26 34 24 26 Only a little 17 18 24 17 19 22 17 Not at all 22 23 29 23 25 25 24 DK/NA 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 TREND: How much does this matter to you - a lot, some, only a little, or not at all? Mar 24 Feb 4 2009 2004 A lot 30 42 Some 25 22 Only a little 19 14 Not at all 24 18 DK/NA 2 4 16. As you may know, Mayor Bloomberg is the wealthiest person in New York. Do you think his wealth makes him less able to understand the needs and problems of average New Yorkers or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Yes 47% 31% 50% 46% 36% 59% 63% No 49 66 47 49 61 38 35 DK/NA 4 3 3 4 3 3 2 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Yes 51% 52% 38% 50% 40% 42% 51% No 44 45 60 45 59 54 46 DK/NA 6 4 2 5 1 4 3 17. There is a proposal to eliminate the political party label, such as Democrat or Republican, from the ballot in elections for city officials, such as Mayor or Council member. Do you think that is a good idea or bad idea? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Good idea 30% 25% 23% 47% 32% 24% 29% Bad idea 58 65 65 42 55 67 61 DK/NA 12 10 12 11 13 9 10 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Good idea 25% 34% 25% 33% 31% 30% 30% Bad idea 64 54 63 56 56 61 56 DK/NA 11 12 12 11 13 9 14 TREND: There is a proposal to eliminate the political party label, such as Democrat or Republican, from the ballot in elections for city officials, such as Mayor or Council member. Do you think that is a good idea or bad idea? Mar 24 Feb 24 Jul 2 2009 2009 2003 Good idea 30 36 37 Bad idea 58 55 55 DK/NA 12 9 7 18. Mayor Bloomberg has said that he is going to run for reelection and might run as an Independent, a Republican, or a Democrat. Would you like to see him run as an Independent, a Republican, or a Democrat? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Independent 35% 30% 32% 48% 40% 29% 29% Republican 13 38 10 9 14 10 11 Democrat 19 6 28 6 14 21 28 DK/NA 33 27 31 38 32 39 32 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Independent 27% 33% 40% 36% 41% 36% 34% Republican 11 12 10 16 18 13 13 Democrat 25 22 16 17 15 19 20 DK/NA 38 33 35 31 25 33 33 TREND: Mayor Bloomberg has said that he is going to run for reelection and might run as an Independent, a Republican, or a Democrat. Would you like to see him run as an Independent, a Republican, or a Democrat? Mar 24 Feb 24 Jan 27 2009 2009 2009 Independent 35 41 30 Republican 13 11 10 Democrat 19 19 23 DK/NA 33 29 36 19. (If registered Republican) Do you think Michael Bloomberg deserves to run as a Republican, or do you think he should do something specific to earn it? Reg Reps Deserves to run 47% Should earn it 32 DK/NA 22 TREND: (If registered Republican) Do you think Michael Bloomberg deserves to run as a Republican, or do you think he should do something specific to earn it? REGISTERED REPUBLICANS Mar 24 Feb 24 2009 2009 Deserves to run 47 42 Should earn it 32 44 DK/NA 22 14 20. As you may know, Mayor Michael Bloomberg spent millions of dollars of his own money to be elected Mayor and says he will do the same in this year's race for Mayor. Which comes closer to your point of view: A) By financing his own campaigns Bloomberg is free from being beholden to lobbyists and other special interests who would otherwise finance his campaign. Or B) By financing his own campaigns Bloomberg has an unfair advantage and looks like he is trying to buy the election? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp A) Free of special interests 50% 67% 47% 52% 59% 36% 43% B) Unfair/Buying election 42 27 44 42 34 56 53 DK/NA 8 6 8 6 7 8 5 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom A) Free of special interests 46% 46% 60% 46% 57% 52% 48% B) Unfair/Buying election 48 47 34 44 36 41 44 DK/NA 6 7 7 11 7 7 8 TREND: As you may know, Mayor Michael Bloomberg spent millions of dollars of his own money to be elected Mayor and says he will do the same in this year's race for Mayor. Which comes closer to your point of view: A) By financing his own campaigns Bloomberg is free from being beholden to lobbyists and other special interests who would otherwise finance his campaign. Or B) By financing his own campaigns Bloomberg has an unfair advantage and looks like he is trying to buy the election? Mar 24 Feb 24 Jan 27 Mar 30 2009 2009 2009 2005 A) Free of special interests 50 57 54 47 B) Unfair/Buying election 42 37 40 45 DK/NA 8 6 6 8 21. Which of the following will be the single most important issue in your vote in the general election for mayor this year - the economy, education, crime, taxes or mass transit? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Economy 52% 43% 54% 52% 51% 47% 56% Education 21 16 24 14 17 25 28 Crime 5 9 4 7 5 7 6 Taxes 9 26 5 9 13 5 3 Mass transit 10 5 9 15 11 11 5 SOMETHING ELSE(VOL) 1 - 1 2 1 2 1 DK/NA 2 - 2 2 3 2 1 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Economy 56% 45% 59% 51% 47% 53% 51% Education 20 26 18 19 13 16 24 Crime 7 5 3 6 9 6 5 Taxes 6 8 7 10 25 10 8 Mass transit 7 12 9 10 4 11 8 SOMETHING ELSE(VOL) 1 2 1 1 - 1 1 DK/NA 2 2 3 2 2 3 2 TREND: Which of the following will be the single most important issue in your vote in the general election for mayor this year - the economy, education, crime, taxes or mass transit? Mar 24 Feb 24 2009 2009 Economy 52 53 Education 21 19 Crime 5 7 Taxes 9 12 Mass transit 10 7 SOMETHING ELSE(VOL) 1 2 DK/NA 2 1 22. If Michael Bloomberg is reelected Mayor, do you think New York City's economy will get better, get worse, or stay about the same? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Get better 30% 39% 30% 28% 34% 24% 26% Get worse 10 6 9 12 6 9 17 Stay the same 53 50 53 54 51 59 52 DK/NA 8 5 8 6 9 7 5 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Get better 22% 29% 36% 28% 29% 33% 27% Get worse 11 10 10 9 14 8 12 Stay the same 62 53 46 55 48 52 53 DK/NA 5 8 8 8 10 7 8 TREND: If Michael Bloomberg is reelected Mayor, do you think New York City's economy will get better, get worse, or stay about the same? Mar 24 Feb 24 2009 2009 Get better 30 32 Get worse 10 12 Stay the same 53 47 DK/NA 8 8 23. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling the city budget? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 54% 65% 53% 55% 63% 42% 45% Disapprove 34 23 36 32 24 47 42 DK/NA 12 13 11 12 13 10 12 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 52% 48% 63% 50% 66% 60% 49% Disapprove 34 39 26 38 23 31 36 DK/NA 14 13 11 12 11 9 15 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling the city budget? APPROVE....... High Low Mar 24 Feb 25 Jan 28 Nov 25 Oct 22 Jan 28 Sept 9 2009 2009 2009 2008 2003 2009 2003 Approve 54 54 55 51% 36 55 33 Disapprove 34 38 38 38 51 38 59 DK/NA 12 9 7 11 13 7 8 24. To balance the city budget, if you had to choose, would you prefer - raising taxes or cutting government programs and services? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Raising taxes 52% 24% 60% 52% 49% 61% 52% Cutting services 37 73 28 38 41 29 38 DK/NA 11 3 12 10 10 10 10 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Raising taxes 53% 56% 59% 44% 42% 49% 55% Cutting services 35 34 29 46 45 42 32 DK/NA 12 10 12 10 14 10 12 TREND: To balance the city budget, if you had to choose, would you prefer - raising taxes or cutting government programs and services? Mar 24 Feb 25 Jan 28 Nov 25 2009 2009 2009 2008 Raising taxes 52 53 46 48 Cutting services 37 39 39 37 DK/NA 11 8 15 15 25. To balance the city budget, if you had to choose, which city tax do you think should be increased - personal income tax, sales tax or property tax? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Personal income tax 28% 15% 31% 28% 32% 23% 27% Sales tax 39 50 37 40 40 41 38 Property tax 24 20 27 21 19 27 26 DK/NA 9 16 6 11 9 8 9 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Personal income tax 20% 32% 32% 26% 27% 29% 28% Sales tax 37 42 29 44 50 39 39 Property tax 30 18 32 21 15 23 24 DK/NA 13 9 8 9 8 9 9 TREND: To balance the city budget, if you had to choose, which city tax do you think should be increased - personal income tax, sales tax or property tax? Mar 24 Feb 25 Jan 28 Nov 25 May 7 Nov 21 Jul 17 2009 2009 2009 2008 2003 2002 2002 Income tax 28 21 22 21 23 19 21 Sales tax 39 49 43 44 40 37 30 Property tax 24 22 24 24 23 32 35 DK/NA 9 7 10 11 14 12 14 26. How serious do you think New York City's budget problems are - very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious or not at all serious? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Very serious 65% 55% 69% 63% 61% 71% 72% Smwht serious 29 35 27 32 33 23 24 Not too serious 3 7 2 3 3 4 3 Not at all serious - 1 - - - - - DK/NA 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Very serious 66% 66% 70% 65% 51% 67% 64% Smwht serious 28 29 26 29 46 28 31 Not too serious 3 3 2 5 2 4 3 Not at all serious - 1 - - 1 - - DK/NA 3 2 2 1 1 1 2 TREND: How serious do you think New York City's budget problems are - very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious or not at all serious (*also 95% on 1/28/09) VERY+SMWHT... High Low Mar 24 Feb 25 Jan 28 Nov 25 May 7 Feb 25 Jul 17 2009 2009 2009 2008 2003 2009* 2002 Very serious 65 61 64 66 68 61 46 Smwht serious 29 34 31 28 24 34 41 Not too serious 3 3 3 3 4 3 9 Not at all serious - 1 1 1 1 1 1 DK/NA 2 1 1 2 3 1 3 27. To balance the city budget, if you had to choose, where do you think city spending should be decreased - public schools, police, firefighters, sanitation, social services or culture and recreation? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Public schools 5% 11% 5% 4% 6% 6% 8% Police 8 2 8 13 5 12 11 Firefighters 2 - 3 1 2 4 1 Sanitation 8 5 9 6 7 8 10 Social services 13 27 11 14 15 9 15 Culture/recreation 48 47 47 50 51 45 39 DK/NA 15 7 17 13 14 16 16 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Public schools 11% 4% 5% 5% 3% 6% 5% Police 6 12 8 7 6 10 7 Firefighters - 4 2 2 1 4 1 Sanitation 9 7 8 9 5 8 8 Social services 12 10 12 18 21 18 10 Culture/recreation 46 49 46 47 53 43 52 DK/NA 17 14 20 13 11 13 17 TREND: To balance the city budget, if you had to choose, where do you think city spending should be decreased - public schools, police, firefighters, sanitation, social services or culture and recreation? Mar 24 Feb 25 Jan 28 Nov 25 May 7 2009 2009 2009 2008 2003 Public schools 5 4 7 3 4 Police 8 6 6 7 6 Firefighters 2 3 2 3 2 Sanitation 8 7 8 6 8 Social Services 13 14 12 12 14 Culture/recreation 48 53 50 51 42 DK/NA 15 13 16 18 24 28. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling the public schools? HvKids Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp PubSch Approve 47% 64% 45% 47% 56% 42% 41% 41% Disapprove 40 21 43 39 26 49 52 54 DK/NA 13 15 12 13 18 9 7 5 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 41% 51% 50% 42% 55% 55% 41% Disapprove 44 39 34 45 34 32 46 DK/NA 15 11 16 13 11 13 13 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling the public schools? APPROVE....... High Low Mar 24 Feb 25 Jan 28 Jul 16 Jul 26 Jul 16 May 7 2009 2009 2009 2008 2007 2008 2003 Approve 47 50 53 56 52 56 35 Disapprove 40 39 35 32 33 32 52 DK/NA 13 11 13 12 14 12 12 29. Do you think Mayor Bloomberg's take-over of the public schools has been a success or failure? HvKids Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp PubSch Success 46% 57% 46% 44% 52% 41% 37% 42% Failure 33 21 34 33 23 37 50 40 DK/NA 22 22 20 23 25 22 12 18 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Success 39% 48% 43% 45% 59% 54% 39% Failure 38 33 27 34 28 28 36 DK/NA 23 18 29 21 13 19 24 TREND: Do you think Mayor Bloomberg's take-over of the public schools has been a success or failure? Mar 24 Feb 25 Jan 28 Jul 16 Nov 21 Jul 26 Mar 15 2009 2009 2009 2008 2007 2007 2007 Success 46 50 47 54 47 51 39 Failure 33 31 31 26 25 27 34 DK/NA 22 19 22 20 27 22 27 30. Mayoral control of the public schools expires this year, unless the state legislature renews it. Do you think mayoral control of the public schools should continue or not? HvKids Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp PubSch Continue 52% 64% 51% 52% 59% 48% 43% 47% Stop 37 25 38 39 29 39 49 40 DK/NA 12 11 11 8 13 12 8 13 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Continue 46% 54% 55% 48% 54% 59% 46% Stop 42 36 30 41 34 29 42 DK/NA 12 10 15 11 12 12 12 TREND: Mayoral control of the public schools expires this year, unless the state legislature renews it. Do you think mayoral control of the public schools should continue or not? Mar 24 Feb 25 Jan 28 2009 2009 2009 Continue 52 55 56 Stop 37 35 34 DK/NA 12 9 10 31. Do you think the mayor should share control of the public schools with the city council or not? HvKids Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp PubSch Yes 53% 46% 55% 55% 48% 53% 57% 51% No 37 43 35 36 41 35 34 42 DK/NA 11 11 11 9 11 12 9 8 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Yes 67% 48% 46% 55% 59% 47% 57% No 22 41 43 35 33 42 32 DK/NA 11 11 11 10 8 10 11 32. Do you think the mayor should share control of the public schools with the borough presidents or not? HvKids Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp PubSch Yes 50% 41% 53% 50% 42% 57% 62% 52% No 41 50 38 43 49 34 33 42 DK/NA 8 9 9 6 9 9 5 5 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Yes 60% 53% 40% 51% 49% 44% 55% No 32 39 49 42 44 48 36 DK/NA 8 8 10 7 7 7 9 33. As you may know, charter schools are operated by private or non-profit organizations. The schools are paid for with public funds. Do you think there should be an expansion of charter schools in New York City or not? HvKids Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp PubSch Yes 62% 69% 62% 60% 59% 66% 67% 67% No 29 25 30 28 31 27 24 28 DK/NA 9 5 9 11 9 7 9 5 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Yes 62% 62% 62% 61% 66% 63% 61% No 25 31 28 31 26 29 29 DK/NA 13 7 11 8 8 9 10 TREND: As you may know, charter schools are operated by private or non-profit organizations. The schools are paid for with public funds. Do you think there should be an expansion of charter schools in New York City or not? Mar 24 Feb 25 2009 2009 Yes 62 67 No 29 26 DK/NA 9 8
