April 17, 2008 - New York's New Governor Gets Ok Grades On Budget, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Say Paterson Was Right To Confess Affairs Word format New York's new Governor, David Paterson, is riding out the twin storms of extramarital affairs and a late budget as voters statewide approve 50 - 10 percent, with 39 percent undecided, of the job he is doing after one month in office, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Voters approve 52 - 18 percent, with 29 percent undecided, of the way Gov. Paterson handled the state budget enacted last week. Because of former Gov. Eliot Spitzer's involvement with prostitutes, New York State voters say 59 - 38 percent that they were "ashamed to have him as Governor," the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. But voters say 69 - 22 percent that Paterson was right to admit to extramarital affairs and cocaine use. Media should stop pressing Paterson for more details, voters say 84 - 14 percent. And voters say 76 - 20 percent that they are not ashamed to have Paterson as Governor because he admitted having affairs. Paterson will be able to govern effectively, voters say 62 - 15 percent, down from 75 - 6 percent in a March 20 Quinnipiac University poll. By 55 - 27 percent, voters say Paterson will be able to restore public trust in state government, down from 67 - 15 percent March 20. "Gov. David Paterson is surviving the double trouble of a late state budget and the fuss over his confession of extramarital affairs," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "New Yorkers think Paterson did a good job on the budget. And although his numbers slipped after the initial euphoria, they trust him to govern effectively and to restore public trust." "Yes, he should have told us about the affairs, voters say. And no, the reporters now should knock off the personal questions," Carroll added. "Are New Yorkers 'ashamed' of Paterson? Of course not. Ask that question about Spitzer and you get a different answer." Looking at whom they want as their next Governor in 2010: 32 percent pick New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg; 30 percent want former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani; 17 percent support Paterson; 13 percent name State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Only 41 percent of New York voters are "very satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied with the way things are going in the state, while 57 percent are "somewhat dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied." Looking at recent legislative action in Albany: Voters support 66 - 32 percent the $1.25 per pack hike in cigarette taxes; Voters disapprove 53 - 39 percent of the law preventing local school districts from considering student test scores in deciding teacher tenure; Voters are pleased, 53 - 32 percent, that the State Legislature did not act on the New York City congestion pricing proposal; Voters are disappointed, 69 - 24 percent, that the Legislature did not enact a "millionaire's tax," raising the tax rate on people making one million dollars a year. "Mayor Bloomberg wanted kids' test scores to be included in evaluating teachers for tenure. The teachers' union didn't want it. Guess who won in the Legislature? But voters side with the Mayor," Carroll said. "Mayor Mike also wanted congestion pricing. It lost and that's okay, too, with the voters. "But, if Bloomberg would like to move to Albany, a lot of New Yorkers would like to see him in the Governor's Mansion. He leads overall in a 2010 beauty contest, but Republicans prefer former Mayor Giuliani." From April 14 - 15, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,257 New York State 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 Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and the nation as a public service and for research. 6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way David Paterson is handling his job as Governor? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 50% 48% 56% 45% 49% 52% 51% 67% Disapprove 10 14 7 12 11 10 10 7 DK/NA 39 38 36 43 40 39 39 26 UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Approve 51% 53% 53% 50% 47% 49% 53% Disapprove 12 10 11 10 10 12 9 DK/NA 37 36 37 41 43 40 38 7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Hillary Clinton is handling her job as United States Senator? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 62% 34% 85% 57% 56% 66% 56% 75% Disapprove 31 58 10 35 37 25 37 18 DK/NA 8 8 5 8 7 8 7 7 UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Approve 54% 54% 54% 70% 61% 63% 61% Disapprove 39 37 37 22 32 28 32 DK/NA 7 9 8 8 7 9 7 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Hillary Clinton is handling her job as United States Senator? Highest Lowest Approve Approve Apr 17 Mar 24 Dec 12 Oct 2 Jul 31 Dec 14 Feb 14 2008 2008 2007 2007 2007 2006 2001 Approve 62 64 64 65 63 72 38 Disapprove 31 29 29 30 30 23 30 DK/NA 8 7 7 5 7 5 33 8. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Charles Schumer is handling his job as United States Senator? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 65% 49% 77% 65% 63% 67% 63% 75% Disapprove 18 30 9 17 22 14 19 9 DK/NA 17 21 13 17 14 19 18 16 UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Approve 56% 59% 59% 70% 70% 57% 69% Disapprove 19 20 20 16 18 18 18 DK/NA 25 21 22 15 12 25 13 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Charles Schumer is handling his job as United States Senator? (*also 69% on 10/02/01) Highest Lowest Approve Approve Apr 17 Mar 24 Dec 12 Oct 2 Jul 31 Dec 8 Apr 15 2008 2008 2007 2007 2007 2004* 1999 Approve 65 66 59 63 63 69 51 Disapprove 18 18 22 20 21 16 22 DK/NA 17 16 19 17 16 15 28 10. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 32% 34% 36% 24% 27% 36% 30% 36% Disapprove 51 50 46 61 62 43 54 49 DK/NA 17 15 18 15 11 21 17 15 UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Approve 28% 32% 31% 31% 35% 38% 29% Disapprove 52 54 53 52 48 44 56 DK/NA 20 14 16 18 17 17 16 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job? Highest Lowest Approve Approve Apr 17 Oct 2 Jul 31 Jun 19 Apr 4 Apr 4 Aug 11 2008 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2004 Approve 32% 30 32 31 34 34 26 Disapprove 51 52 49 49 43 43 57 DK/NA 17 18 19 20 23 23 16 11. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Thomas DiNapoli is handling his job asState Comptroller? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 27% 27% 30% 26% 32% 23% 28% 34% Disapprove 16 19 11 19 18 14 15 18 DK/NA 57 54 59 55 49 63 57 49 UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Approve 31% 30% 31% 21% 32% 24% 30% Disapprove 13 14 14 19 16 20 14 DK/NA 55 56 56 60 52 57 55 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Thomas DiNapoli is handling his job as State Comptroller? Apr 17 Oct 2 Jul 31 Jun 19 Apr 4 2008 2007 2007 2007 2007 Approve 27 30 34 25 24 Disapprove 16 12 15 14 13 DK/NA 57 58 51 61 63 12. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Andrew Cuomo is handling his job as State Attorney General? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 65% 55% 74% 64% 66% 65% 66% 66% Disapprove 13 20 9 14 15 11 13 14 DK/NA 21 26 18 22 19 24 21 20 UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Approve 62% 68% 67% 62% 68% 60% 68% Disapprove 12 14 14 14 11 13 14 DK/NA 26 18 20 24 21 26 18 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Andrew Cuomo is handling his job as State Attorney General? Highest Lowest Approve Approve Apr 17 Mar 24 Oct 2 Jul 31 Jun 19 Jul 31 Feb 13 2008 2008 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 Approve 65 59 62 68 59 68 42 Disapprove 13 12 17 19 18 19 16 DK/NA 21 30 21 14 23 14 42 13. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Sheldon Silver is handling his job as State Assembly Speaker? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 34% 28% 40% 30% 33% 34% 31% 40% Disapprove 31 34 25 38 42 22 34 24 DK/NA 35 38 35 33 25 44 35 36 UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Approve 36% 30% 31% 41% 27% 38% 32% Disapprove 27 31 30 32 32 21 37 DK/NA 38 39 39 27 40 41 31 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Sheldon Silver is handling his job as State Assembly Speaker? Highest Lowest Approve Approve Apr 17 Oct 2 Jul 31 Jun 19 Apr 4 Oct 2 Aug 11 2008 2007 2007 2007 2007 2003 2004 Approve 34 29 33 29 30 35 26 Disapprove 31 35 35 33 30 26 33 DK/NA 35 36 32 37 40 39 41 14. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joseph Bruno is handling his job as State Senate Majority Leader? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 40% 52% 36% 38% 41% 40% 41% 48% Disapprove 32 23 33 35 39 25 32 28 DK/NA 28 25 31 26 20 35 26 23 UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Approve 47% 42% 43% 33% 47% 42% 40% Disapprove 21 31 29 37 29 25 35 DK/NA 32 27 28 30 24 33 24 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joseph Bruno is handling his job as State Senate Majority Leader? Highest Lowest Approve Approve Apr 17 Dec 12 Oct 2 Jul 31 Jun 19 Apr 17 Feb 13 2008 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2007 Approve 40 26 30 33 26 40 25 Disapprove 32 36 39 40 34 32 39 DK/NA 28 39 32 27 40 28 36 32. Now I'm going to name four people who might run for Governor in 2010. After I read all four names, please tell me which one you would most like to see elected Governor in 2010. Here are the choices: Governor David Paterson, State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, or former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Paterson 17% 10% 23% 15% 17% 18% 13% 41% Cuomo 13 6 19 11 15 11 12 16 Bloomberg 32 27 32 39 32 32 30 33 Giuliani 30 49 18 30 31 30 37 5 DK/NA 7 8 7 6 5 9 9 5 UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Paterson 18% 20% 19% 21% 6% 12% 20% Cuomo 16 14 14 11 13 10 15 Bloomberg 15 16 15 43 48 32 32 Giuliani 35 40 39 21 28 39 26 DK/NA 16 11 12 3 5 8 7 TREND: Now I'm going to name four people who might run for Governor in 2010. After I read all four names, please tell me which one you would most like to see elected Governor in 2010. Here are the choices: Governor David Paterson, State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, or former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani? Apr 17 Mar 20 2008 2008 Paterson 17 27% Cuomo 13 11 Bloomberg 32 29 Giuliani 30 25 DK/NA 7 8 16. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New York State today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Very satisfied 3% 7% 4% 0% 4% 3% 3% 4% Smwht satisfied 38 34 43 32 36 39 35 42 Smwht dissatisfied 33 33 32 36 35 32 34 32 Very dissatisfied 24 24 18 30 23 24 26 22 DK/NA 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 0 UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Very satisfied 1% 1% 1% 8% 1% 5% 3% Smwht satisfied 24 28 27 46 45 42 35 Smwht dissatisfied 37 38 37 28 34 31 35 Very dissatisfied 35 33 34 16 18 20 26 DK/NA 3 - 1 2 2 2 1 TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New York State today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? Apr 17 Mar 24 Dec 12 May 17 Mar 29 Jan 20 Dec 20 Oct 5 2008 2008 2007 2006 2006 2006 2005 2005 Very satisfied 3 3 5 3 3 5 4 4 Somewhat satisfied 38 34 44 36 42 41 47 44 Somewhat dissat 33 37 33 35 34 32 32 32 Very dissatisfied 24 23 18 26 20 21 16 19 DK/NA 2 2 1 - 1 1 2 1 21. Would you describe the state of New York State's economy these days as - Excellent, good, not so good, or poor? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Excellent 1% 2% 1% 1% 2% 0% 1% 2% Good 20 25 20 15 22 17 21 13 Not so good 53 48 55 56 52 53 52 58 Poor 25 25 21 28 22 28 25 27 DK/NA 1 - 2 1 1 1 2 - UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Excellent 5% - 1% 2% - 2% 1% Good 9 15 14 22 27 25 16 Not so good 43 52 50 57 51 49 55 Poor 42 31 34 17 21 24 26 DK/NA 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 TREND: Would you describe the state of New York State's economy these days as: Excellent, good, not so good, or poor? Apr 17 Mar 29 Oct 2 Feb 12 Dec 18 Sep 26 Jan 23 2008 2006 2003 2003 2002 2002 2002 Excellent 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 Good 20 35 18 19 25 29 31 Not so good 53 40 47 47 51 47 53 Poor 25 22 33 33 23 19 13 DK/NA 1 2 1 - 1 3 2 25. Do you think that Governor David Paterson will or will not be able to govern the state effectively? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Effectively 62% 53% 70% 61% 61% 63% 61% 80% NOT Effectively 15 23 11 13 19 12 16 10 DK/NA 23 24 19 26 20 25 23 10 UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Effectively 57% 67% 65% 61% 56% 61% 64% NOT Effectively 18 13 14 15 19 16 16 DK/NA 26 20 21 24 25 24 21 TREND: Do you think that Governor David Paterson will or will not be able to govern the state effectively? Apr 17 Mar 20 2008 2008 Effectively 62 75% Not effectively 15 6 DK/NA 23 19 26. Do you think that Governor David Paterson will or will not be able to restore public trust in state government? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Will restore trust 55% 51% 59% 56% 54% 56% 53% 76% Will not 27 34 21 28 33 22 29 11 DK/NA 18 15 21 15 13 23 18 13 UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Will restore trust 52% 56% 55% 58% 48% 51% 58% Will not 30 30 30 22 31 30 25 DK/NA 18 15 15 20 21 19 17 TREND: Do you think that Governor David Paterson will or will not be able to restore public trust in state government? Apr 17 Mar 20 2008 2008 Will restore trust 55 67% Will not 27 15 DK/NA 18 18 27. Do you think David Paterson cares about the needs and problems of upstate residents or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 57% 48% 62% 59% 59% 55% 55% 84% No 16 18 13 17 17 16 17 7 DK/NA 27 33 24 24 25 29 28 9 UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Yes 54% 55% 54% 65% 49% 52% 61% No 20 23 22 11 13 21 14 DK/NA 26 22 23 24 38 27 26 28. Do you think David Paterson cares about the needs and problems of New York City residents or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 72% 66% 78% 72% 75% 70% 72% 83% No 9 11 9 9 9 10 8 10 DK/NA 18 23 14 19 17 20 20 7 UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Yes 75% 74% 74% 73% 68% 64% 78% No 5 7 7 12 11 14 7 DK/NA 20 18 19 16 21 21 16 29. Do you think David Paterson cares about the needs and problems of residents of New York City's suburbs or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 63% 54% 69% 63% 68% 59% 61% 81% No 13 17 11 11 12 13 13 9 DK/NA 24 29 20 26 20 28 26 10 UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Yes 61% 67% 66% 66% 54% 60% 66% No 12 9 10 12 19 14 11 DK/NA 27 24 24 22 27 26 23 30. Do you approve or disapprove of the way David Paterson handled the state budget? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 52% 51% 51% 57% 54% 52% 54% 60% Disapprove 18 22 16 18 22 16 19 8 DK/NA 29 27 33 25 25 33 27 32 UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Approve 46% 58% 55% 49% 53% 50% 55% Disapprove 23 20 21 18 14 20 18 DK/NA 31 22 24 33 33 31 27 31. The state Legislature passed one dollar and twenty five cents a pack tax increase on cigarettes. Do you approve or disapprove of raising the tax on a pack of cigarettes by one dollar and twenty five cents? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 66% 59% 73% 61% 62% 69% 63% 73% Disapprove 32 40 25 36 37 28 36 24 DK/NA 2 - 1 3 2 2 1 2 UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Approve 52% 59% 57% 71% 74% 66% 65% Disapprove 47 39 40 27 25 32 33 DK/NA 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 Smokers Approve 27% Disapprove 73 DK/NA - 32. The State Legislature passed a law blocking local school districts from considering student test scores when they decide whether teachers should receive tenure, which amounts to a lifetime job guarantee. Do you approve or disapprove of this action by the state legislature? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 39% 37% 40% 40% 35% 43% 38% 39% Disapprove 53 56 51 53 58 49 54 57 DK/NA 8 7 9 7 7 9 7 4 UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Approve 35% 35% 35% 40% 46% 43% 37% Disapprove 56 59 58 49 49 50 55 DK/NA 9 7 7 10 5 7 8 HvKids PubSch Approve 39% Disapprove 51 DK/NA 10 33. As you may know, there was a proposal to use congestion pricing to reduce traffic in New York City by charging a fee for vehicles that drive south of 60th Street in Manhattan. The New York State legislature did not pass this plan. Are you pleased or disappointed that the New York State legislature did not pass this congestion pricing plan? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Pleased 53% 53% 55% 50% 55% 52% 51% 61% Disappointed 32 28 34 35 34 31 32 32 DK/NA 14 19 11 15 11 17 17 7 UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Pleased 52% 45% 47% 59% 56% 54% 53% Disappointed 21 30 28 36 36 35 32 DK/NA 28 25 26 4 8 12 15 34. There was also a proposal to raise taxes on residents earning 1 million dollars or more a year. The New York State legislature did not pass this plan. Are you pleased or disappointed that the New York State legislature did not pass this plan to raise taxes on residents earning 1 million dollars or more a year? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Pleased 24% 34% 17% 26% 26% 23% 26% 20% Disappointed 69 58 76 69 67 71 68 77 DK/NA 7 7 8 5 7 6 7 3 UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Pleased 21% 23% 22% 27% 24% 29% 21% Disappointed 70 71 71 68 69 64 73 DK/NA 9 6 7 5 8 8 6 Annual Household Income...... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Pleased 23% 20% 23% 26% Disappointed 69 75 71 67 DK/NA 8 4 6 7 35. As you may know, Governor Paterson has confessed to several extramarital affairs and said that he had used cocaine in his twenties. Do you think he should have made these admissions or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 69% 69% 69% 70% 69% 69% 72% 71% No 22 22 22 22 21 22 20 21 DK/NA 9 8 9 8 10 9 8 8 UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Yes 71% 73% 73% 70% 61% 65% 72% No 22 18 19 22 27 24 21 DK/NA 7 9 8 8 12 11 7 36. Reporters have continued to press the governor for more personal details. Should they continue or call a halt? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Continue 14% 14% 13% 11% 16% 11% 12% 8% Call a halt 84 84 84 87 81 86 86 92 DK/NA 3 2 3 2 2 3 2 - UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Continue 17% 13% 14% 13% 14% 20% 10% Call a halt 79 84 83 84 85 76 88 DK/NA 4 3 3 3 1 5 1 37. What was your reaction to the news about former Governor Eliot Spitzer's involvement with prostitutes - Were you ashamed to have him as Governor, or didn't you feel that way? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Ashamed 59% 76% 48% 61% 60% 58% 65% 40% Not ashamed 38 21 47 35 37 38 32 56 DK/NA 4 2 5 3 3 4 3 4 UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Ashamed 66% 64% 64% 51% 61% 60% 59% Not ashamed 31 32 32 44 37 36 37 DK/NA 3 4 4 4 2 3 4 38. What is your reaction to Governor Paterson's confession of several extramarital affairs - Are you ashamed to have him as Governor, or don't you feel that way? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Ashamed 20% 25% 18% 19% 21% 19% 21% 10% Not ashamed 76 68 78 78 75 76 74 88 DK/NA 4 7 4 3 4 4 5 2 UpState..... UpState Age Age Urban Othr Total NYC Sub 18-44 45+ Ashamed 25% 22% 22% 17% 19% 23% 18% Not ashamed 68 72 71 81 76 73 77 DK/NA 7 6 6 1 5 3 5 39. Do you currently smoke cigarettes? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 18% 17% 17% 18% 18% 17% 18% 19% No 82 83 83 81 82 83 82 81 DK/NA - - - - - - - -
