January 26, 2011 - New Yorkers Oppose Many Budget-Cutting Ideas, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; But 3-1 Support Freezing State Worker Pay Word format New York State's new governor, Andrew Cuomo, gets a 47 - 11 percent favorability rating from voters, with 36 percent saying they don't know enough about him to form an opinion, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. While 77 percent of voters say New York State's budget problems are "very serious," and 19 percent call them "somewhat serious," voters oppose many of the possible budget cuts that could help close the state's deficit, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. New York State voters support 75 - 20 percent a wage freeze for state workers, with 68 - 25 percent support among Democrats and 73 - 24 percent from voters with at least one union member in the household. But a look at other budget-cutting measures shows: 45 - 47 percent split on layoffs of state workers; 52 - 30 percent support furloughs for state workers; 55 - 38 percent oppose reducing state worker pensions; 79 - 18 percent oppose cutting state aid to public schools; 69 - 28 percent oppose cutting Medicaid. "In what is usually the 'honeymoon' for new officials, Gov. Andrew Cuomo gets a so-so welcome. We didn't ask about his job approval, since he's been on the job less than a month, but more New Yorkers give him a 'favorable' rating than an 'unfavorable,' meaning they like him. Still, about a third are taking a wait-and-see attitude," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "But the same voters who agree the state's in horrendous fiscal shape reject many of the standard remedies. Except when it comes to public employees. Gov. Cuomo has called for a wage freeze and New Yorkers are with him more than 3-1, even those in union households." "But that's about where it stops. Layoffs? Voters are divided. Furloughs? A little more support. School aid? Leave it alone. Medicaid? Don't cut it," Carroll added. By an overwhelming 82 - 13 percent margin, New York State voters support a cap on property tax increases, with strong support from every group. In an open-ended question, allowing for any answer, 37 percent list economy or jobs as the state's most important problem, followed by 19 percent who cite the budget and 17 percent who list taxes. No other issue gets more than 6 percent. Given a choice between raising taxes or cutting services to balance the budget, New York State voters prefer service cuts 60 - 27 percent. Democrats split 42 - 43 percent, while support for service cuts is 82 - 8 percent among Republicans and 66 - 22 percent among independent voters. In a straight out "support" or "oppose" question, voters oppose 66 - 32 percent increasing state taxes to balance the budget. Democrats oppose tax hikes 54 - 43 percent. But voters say 74 - 19 percent that the state will increase taxes. The feeling that taxes are going up is strong among all groups. By a small 42 - 39 percent margin, voters say Cuomo and the State Legislature will be able to solve New York State's budget problems. And by a larger 57 - 29 percent margin, voters are hopeful that Cuomo will be able to open up the budget negations to more state legislators, breaking the long tradition of "three men in a room," the governor, the Assembly speaker and the State Senate majority leader, making major budget decisions. "New Yorkers are cynical about Albany. By 2-1, they don't want tax increases but by almost 4-1, voters think Albany will do it anyway," Carroll said. "But most think Cuomo might be able to end the infamous 'three-men-in-a-room' way of doing the public business." Andrew Cuomo will be a better governor than his father, Mario Cuomo, 26 percent of voters say, while 5 percent give the nod to Mario Cuomo and 41 percent think father and son will be about the same. From January 18 - 24, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,436 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.6 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. Is your opinion of Governor Andrew Cuomo favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Favorable 47% 34% 64% 39% 45% 50% 50% Unfavorable 11 18 5 13 13 9 13 Hvn't hrd enough 36 40 26 43 36 35 29 REFUSED 6 8 5 5 5 6 7 UpStat NYC Sub Favorable 40% 53% 52% Unfavorable 12 10 11 Hvn't hrd enough 42 32 31 REFUSED 6 6 6 TREND: Is your opinion of Andrew Cuomo favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? (*High also 63% Apr 2009 and Feb 2009/**Added title "Governor Andrew Cuomo") FAVORABLE..... High Low Jan 26 Sep 01 Jun 22 Apr 13 Feb 3 Jun 24 Jan 26 2011** 2010 2010 2010 2010 2009* 2011** Favorable 47 54 57 59 54 63 47 Unfavorable 11 21 18 19 16 15 11 Hvn't hrd enough 36 22 22 20 28 20 36 REFUSED 6 3 3 2 2 2 6 5. 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? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Very satisfied 2% 1% 2% 2% 2% 2% 1% Smwht satisfied 26 11 39 21 20 31 23 Smwht dissatisfied 37 37 40 36 37 38 40 Very dissatisfied 33 48 17 39 38 29 33 DK/NA 2 2 2 3 3 1 2 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? VERY+SMWHT SAT High Low Jan 26 Dec 08 Sep 01 Jul 28 Jun 23 Feb 25 Jun 23 2011 2010 2010 2010 2010 1998 2010 Very satisfied 2 2 1 3 1 13 1 Smwht satisfied 26 23 19 20 18 60 18 Smwht dissatisfied 37 31 31 32 33 20 33 Very dissatisfied 33 42 47 45 47 7 47 DK/NA 2 1 1 - 1 1 1 6. What do you think is the most important problem facing New York State today? Tot Economy Total 37% Economy general 6 Unemployment/Jobs 27 Cost of living 2 Business leaving/ Outsourcing 1 Economy other 1 Budget Total 19% Budget general 5 Budget cuts/Cuts in services 2 Budget deficits 6 Gov too big/Gov spending 3 Budget priorities 2 State workers/Union contracts too costly 1 Taxes Total 17% Taxes general 11 Property tax 5 Income Tax 1 Politicians Total 6% Politicians/Campaigns general 1 Political corruption 2 Governor/State leadership/ Legislature 2 Politicians other 1 Education Total 5% Education general 3 Funding education 1 Education other 1 Healthcare Total 3% Healthcare/Costs/Ins/HMO's 2 Medicare 1 Crime Total 2% Crime/Violence general 1 Crime other 1 Welfare 1% Poverty/Homeless 1% Senior issues 1% Lack of ethics/Morality 1% Mass Transit Total 1% War (Iraq) 1% Other 2% DK/NA 3% 7. Do you think Andrew Cuomo will be a better governor than his father, Mario Cuomo, a worse governor, or about the same? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Better 26% 33% 23% 26% 25% 27% 25% Worse 5 7 4 6 6 5 7 About the same 41 37 45 39 42 41 43 DK/NA 27 23 28 28 27 28 25 UpStat NYC Sub Better 26% 22% 32% Worse 4 9 3 About the same 40 45 39 DK/NA 30 25 26 TREND: Do you think Andrew Cuomo would be a better governor than his father, Mario Cuomo, a worse governor, or about the same? (* "will" be a better governor) Jan 26 Jun 22 2011* 2010 Better 26 26 Worse 5 10 About the same 41 51 DK/NA 27 18 8. Would you describe the state of New York State's economy these days as; excellent,good, not so good, or poor? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Excellent 1% 1% 1% - 1% 1% 1% Good 10 5 15 8 10 9 8 Not so good 44 38 48 44 40 47 44 Poor 45 56 34 48 49 41 48 DK/NA 1 - 2 1 - 2 - UpStat NYC Sub Excellent 0% 1% 1% Good 7 14 8 Not so good 37 48 48 Poor 55 36 41 DK/NA - 1 2 TREND: Would you describe the state of New York State's economy these days as - excellent, good, not so good, or poor? EXCLNT+GOOD... High Low Jan 26 Apr 07 Feb 19 Jan 15 Dec 24 Mar 29 Apr 07 2011 2009 2009 2009 2008 2006 2009 Excellent 1 - 1 - - 2 - Good 10 4 4 7 6 35 4 Not so good 44 40 40 40 43 40 40 Poor 45 55 55 52 51 22 55 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 9. Do you think New York State's economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Better 16% 11% 24% 11% 17% 15% 16% Worse 35 40 26 40 38 33 37 The same 46 44 48 46 43 49 45 DK/NA 3 4 2 3 3 3 2 UpStat NYC Sub Better 12% 20% 17% Worse 41 32 31 The same 45 46 48 DK/NA 3 2 4 TREND: Do you think New York State's economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same? Jan 26 Apr 07 2011 2009 Better 16 5 Worse 35 56 The same 46 37 DK/NA 3 2 10. Would you describe the state of your own personal finances these days as; excellent, good, not so good, or poor? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Excellent 4% 6% 3% 4% 4% 4% 5% Good 49 57 45 48 53 45 57 Not so good 30 22 35 29 27 33 27 Poor 15 13 14 17 13 16 10 DK/NA 2 2 2 1 2 2 0 UpStat NYC Sub Excellent 3% 3% 7% Good 50 44 55 Not so good 27 36 26 Poor 18 14 10 DK/NA 2 2 2 TREND: Would you describe the state of your own personal finances these days as - excellent, good, not so good, or poor? Jan 26 Apr 07 Feb 19 Dec 24 Jan 23 Nov 15 2011 2009 2009 2008 2002 2001 Excellent 4 6 4 5 9 8 Good 49 48 44 43 53 59 Not so good 30 32 35 35 28 25 Poor 15 13 15 16 8 6 DK/NA 2 2 2 1 1 2 11. Do you think your personal finances are getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Better 13% 15% 14% 10% 16% 10% 14% Worse 28 23 26 31 27 29 30 The same 58 61 59 58 57 59 55 DK/NA 1 2 - 1 - 1 - UpStat NYC Sub Better 13% 14% 12% Worse 27 30 26 The same 59 56 60 DK/NA 1 1 1 TREND: Do you think your personal finances are getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same? Jan 26 Apr 07 2011 2009 Better 13 10 Worse 28 28 The same 58 60 DK/NA 1 2 12. How serious do you think New York State's budget problems are; very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious, or not at all serious? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Very serious 77% 81% 73% 79% 81% 75% 78% Smwht serious 19 18 22 17 16 21 19 Not too serious 1 - 2 2 2 1 2 Not at all serious 1 1 1 - - 1 - DK/NA 2 - 3 1 1 2 1 UpStat NYC Sub Very serious 80% 74% 79% Smwht serious 17 20 19 Not too serious - 3 - Not at all serious 1 - - DK/NA 1 3 2 TREND: How serious do you think New York State's budget problems are - very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious, or not at all serious? VERY SERIOUS.. High Low Jan 26 Dec 09 Feb 04 Aug 18 Feb 18 Feb 04 Dec 18 2011 2010 2010 2009 2009 2010 2002 Very serious 77 78 81 65 69 81 48 Smwht serious 19 19 15 28 26 15 44 Not too serious 1 1 3 5 4 3 5 Not at all serious 1 1 1 1 - 1 1 DK/NA 2 1 1 1 1 1 5 13. Do you think Governor Cuomo and the legislature will be able to solve New York State's budget problems or not? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Yes 43% 36% 54% 37% 40% 46% 38% No 39 45 29 45 46 34 43 DK/NA 17 19 17 19 14 20 19 UpStat NYC Sub Yes 40% 43% 49% No 45 37 33 DK/NA 15 19 18 TREND: Do you think Governor Cuomo and the legislature will be able to solve New York State's budget problems or not? Jan 26 Dec 09 2011 2010 Yes 43 38 No 39 46 DK/NA 17 16 14. To balance the state budget, if you had to choose, would you prefer; raising taxes or cutting government programs and services? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Raising taxes 27% 8% 42% 22% 26% 28% 28% Cutting programs/ Services 60 82 43 66 64 57 64 DK/NA 13 9 15 12 10 15 8 UpStat NYC Sub Raising taxes 17% 41% 21% Cutting programs/ Services 67 47 70 DK/NA 15 12 9 TREND: To balance the state budget, if you had to choose, would you prefer - raising taxes or cutting government programs and services? Jan 26 Dec 09 Feb 04 Aug 18 Feb 18 Jan 15 Dec 24 2011 2010 2010 2009 2009 2009 2008 Raising taxes 27 30 30 33 34 30 36 Cutting services 60 56 58 54 51 56 53 DK/NA 13 15 12 13 15 14 11 15. To help balance the state budget do you support or oppose - layoffs for state employees? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Support 45% 60% 33% 49% 48% 43% 39% Oppose 47 33 57 44 47 47 56 DK/NA 8 6 10 7 6 10 5 UpStat NYC Sub Support 50% 36% 52% Oppose 42 57 38 DK/NA 8 7 9 TREND: To help balance the state budget do you support or oppose - layoffs for state employees? Jan 26 Dec 09 2011 2010 Support 45 43 Oppose 47 52 DK/NA 8 6 16. To help balance the state budget do you support or oppose - furloughs for state employees? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Support 52% 56% 47% 57% 52% 53% 54% Oppose 30 30 33 28 33 29 33 DK/NA 17 14 20 15 16 19 13 UpStat NYC Sub Support 52% 47% 61% Oppose 31 36 21 DK/NA 18 17 18 TREND: To help balance the state budget do you support or oppose - furloughs for state employees? Jan 26 Dec 09 2011 2010 Support 52 56 Oppose 30 32 DK/NA 17 13 17. To help balance the state budget, do you support or oppose - a wage freeze for state workers? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Support 75% 83% 68% 78% 74% 76% 73% Oppose 20 14 25 18 21 19 24 DK/NA 5 3 7 3 5 6 2 UpStat NYC Sub Support 78% 72% 74% Oppose 17 23 20 DK/NA 5 5 7 TREND: To help balance the state budget, do you support or oppose a wage freeze for state workers? Jan 26 Dec 09 Feb 04 Dec 16 2011 2010 2010 2009 Support 75 72 75 68 Oppose 20 23 20 28 DK/NA 5 5 5 5 18. To help balance the state budget, do you support or oppose - reducing pension benefits for state workers? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Support 38% 47% 30% 42% 45% 32% 30% Oppose 55 45 64 49 49 59 66 DK/NA 7 9 6 8 6 9 3 UpStat NYC Sub Support 41% 33% 43% Oppose 52 59 51 DK/NA 7 8 7 TREND: To help balance the state budget, do you support or oppose - reducing pension benefits for state workers? Jan 26 Dec 09 2011 2010 Support 38 37 Oppose 55 56 DK/NA 7 7 19. To help balance the state budget, do you support or oppose - cutting state aid to public schools? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Support 18% 26% 7% 26% 23% 14% 18% Oppose 79 70 91 70 75 82 80 DK/NA 3 4 2 4 2 3 2 HvKidsIn UpStat NYC Sub PubSch Support 21% 13% 22% 15% Oppose 76 84 75 84 DK/NA 3 2 3 2 TREND: To help balance the state budget, do you support or oppose cutting state aid to public schools? Jan 26 Dec 09 Feb 04 2011 2010 2010 Support 18 19 19 Oppose 79 78 78 DK/NA 3 3 2 20. To help balance the state budget, do you support or oppose - cutting state aid to your local public schools? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Support 18% 24% 7% 27% 23% 14% 18% Oppose 79 74 91 69 74 84 79 DK/NA 3 2 2 5 3 3 2 HvKidsIn UpStat NYC Sub PubSch Support 21% 13% 22% 17% Oppose 76 85 74 81 DK/NA 3 2 4 2 21. To help balance the state budget, do you support or oppose - cutting Medicaid, which is the government program which pays for health care for low income people? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Support 28% 44% 16% 29% 31% 25% 32% Oppose 69 52 82 68 67 70 66 DK/NA 3 4 3 3 2 4 2 UpStat NYC Sub Support 33% 20% 31% Oppose 64 77 64 DK/NA 3 3 5 22. To help balance the state budget, do you support or oppose - increasing state taxes? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Support 32% 15% 43% 31% 34% 30% 38% Oppose 66 82 54 67 65 66 62 DK/NA 2 3 3 2 1 4 1 UpStat NYC Sub Support 25% 37% 35% Oppose 73 60 63 DK/NA 2 3 2 TREND: To help balance the state budget, do you support or oppose - increasing state taxes? Jan 26 Dec 09 2011 2010 Support 32 31 Oppose 66 66 DK/NA 2 4 23. To help balance the state budget, do you think the state will increase taxes or not? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Yes 74% 76% 70% 75% 74% 74% 77% No 19 16 22 17 20 18 20 DK/NA 7 7 8 8 6 9 3 UpStat NYC Sub Yes 77% 72% 71% No 16 20 23 DK/NA 7 9 6 TREND: To help balance the state budget, do you think the state will increase taxes or not? Jan 26 Dec 09 2011 2010 Yes 74 82 No 19 13 DK/NA 7 5 24. Should there be a cap on how much property taxes can be raised annually in New York State or not? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Yes 82% 90% 78% 83% 83% 82% 84% No 13 7 17 11 13 12 14 DK/NA 5 3 5 6 4 6 2 UpStat NYC Sub Yes 85% 76% 88% No 11 17 9 DK/NA 4 7 3 25. Historically, the Governor, the Senate Majority Leader, and the Assembly Speaker have made all the big decisions in Albany with little input from state legislators. With Andrew Cuomo as governor do you think that Albany's "three men in a room" decision-making will continue or that other legislators will be more involved? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Three men continues 29% 35% 18% 34% 37% 21% 33% Other legislators involved 57 51 66 53 49 64 57 DK/NA 14 14 16 13 14 15 10 UpStat NYC Sub Three men continue 33% 27% 23% Other legislators involved 55 54 66 DK/NA 12 19 11 26. Do you think the public-employee unions have too much political power, too little political power, or about the right amount of political power? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Too much 50% 64% 36% 56% 51% 48% 37% Too little 11 4 14 10 7 14 14 About right 29 22 37 27 36 24 46 DK/NA 10 10 13 7 6 14 4 UpStat NYC Sub Too much 53% 45% 52% Too little 10 14 7 About right 27 30 32 DK/NA 10 10 10
