February 23, 2011 - Ditch The Steamroller And Work It Out Over Dinner, New York State Voters Tell Quinnipiac University Poll; Cuomo's First Approval As Governor Almost 4-1 Word format New York State voters approve 56 - 15 percent of the job Gov. Andrew Cuomo is doing, with 29 percent undecided, and say 68 - 19 percent that Gov. Cuomo's tactic of meeting with legislators over a meal is better than trying to steamroll them, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. In a February 13, 2007, survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University, New York State voters said 61 - 24 percent that then Gov. Eliot Spitzer's pledge to steamroll his opponents was a good thing. By October 2, 2007, voters were saying that the steamroller tactic was contributing to gridlock rather than helping 51 - 16 percent. This is Quinnipiac University's first look at Cuomo's job approval as governor and can not be compared with earlier measures of his favorability or "likability." Cuomo gets a 57 - 14 percent approval from Republicans, 56 - 14 percent from Democrats and 59 - 14 percent from independent voters. Approval is 63 - 13 percent among upstate voters, 50 - 17 percent among suburban voters and 53 - 15 percent among New York City voters. Men approve 61 - 14 percent while women approve 52 - 15 percent. Voters disapprove 65 - 20 percent of the job the State Legislature is doing. They disapprove 42 - 35 percent of the job their local State Assembly member is doing, but approve 49 - 32 percent of their local state senator. "Gov. Andrew Cuomo is a Democrat, right? His job approval is strong but the political and geographical pattern has a Republican look - he does best upstate, better than in the city or suburbs," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Those sit-down meals with legislators in the Governor's Mansion are a good idea, voters think," Carroll added. "They prefer Cuomo's friendly persuasion to the steamroller personality claimed by former Gov. Eliot Spitzer. Voters prefer breaking bread to breaking heads." Asked their opinions about their new governor, New York State voters say: 46 percent like Cuomo personally and his policies; 16 percent like Cuomo, but not his policies; 10 percent like his policies, but don't like Cuomo; 10 percent don't like Cuomo or his policies. "Most voters like Cuomo, including many who like him even though they don't like his policies," Carroll said. New York State voters approve 57 - 28 percent of the way Gov. Cuomo is handling the state budget and 97 percent say the state's budget problems are "very serious" or "somewhat serious." But voters are mixed on some of the proposed steps to balance the budget: Voters oppose 76 - 22 percent cutting state aid to public schools; Voters oppose 64 - 32 percent cutting Medicaid; Voters support 58 - 37 percent reducing pensions for new state employees; Voters support 72 - 24 percent a wage freeze for state workers; Voters support 56 - 32 percent furloughs for state workers; Voters split on state worker layoffs with 46 percent in support and 48 percent opposed. "Just about everyone agrees that the state is in miserable financial shape. But voters reject the Willie Sutton rule, to go where the money is," Carroll said. "They oppose cuts in the big budget items - school aid and Medicaid. They take aim at government workers, agreeing with Cuomo on a wage freeze and possible furloughs." President, Senators Approval New York State voters approve 53 - 41 percent of the job President Barack Obama is doing, identical to a 53 - 40 percent approval January 27. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand gets a 54 - 20 percent approval rating, up from 48 - 21 percent last month and her highest score ever in a Quinnipiac University poll. U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer gets a 60 - 26 percent job approval rating. From February 15 - 21, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,457 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. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Andrew Cuomo is handling his job as Governor? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHlds Blk Approve 56% 57% 56% 59% 61% 52% 56% 47% Disapprove 15 14 14 14 14 15 21 13 DK/NA 29 28 30 27 25 33 23 40 UpStat NYC Sub Approve 63% 53% 50% Disapprove 13 15 17 DK/NA 24 32 33 2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Charles Schumer is handling his job as United States Senator? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Approve 60% 48% 74% 56% 60% 60% 62% Disapprove 26 41 12 29 32 21 26 DK/NA 14 11 15 15 8 19 13 UpStat NYC Sub Approve 58% 66% 54% Disapprove 26 21 34 DK/NA 16 13 12 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Charles Schumer is handling his job as United States Senator? (*High app also 69% Oct 2001) APPROVE....... DIS... High Low High Feb 23 Jan 27 Sep 01 Jul 28 Dec 08 Apr 15 Jul 28 2011 2011 2010 2010 2004* 1999 2010 Approve 60 57 58 55 69 51 55 Disapprove 26 24 31 33 16 22 33 DK/NA 14 18 11 12 15 28 12 3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Kirsten Gillibrand is handling her job as United States Senator? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Approve 54% 40% 63% 53% 52% 55% 60% Disapprove 20 30 10 23 28 13 18 DK/NA 26 30 27 24 20 32 23 UpStat NYC Sub Approve 56% 54% 49% Disapprove 20 18 24 DK/NA 24 28 28 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Kirsten Gillibrand is handling her job as United States Senator? APPROVE....... High Low Feb 23 Jan 27 Sep 01 Jul 28 Jun 22 Feb 23 Feb 17 2011 2011 2010 2010 2010 2011 2009 Approve 54 48 46 48 44 54 28 Disapprove 20 21 27 26 27 20 10 DK/NA 26 31 27 26 29 26 62 4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHlds Blk Approve 53% 18% 81% 48% 50% 56% 55% 86% Disapprove 41 76 14 45 46 36 38 9 DK/NA 6 6 5 6 3 8 7 5 UpStat NYC Sub Approve 47% 67% 41% Disapprove 46 28 55 DK/NA 7 5 4 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as president? APPROVE...... High Low Feb 23 Jan 27 Dec 08 Aug 31 Jul 29 Feb 19 Dec 08 2011 2011 2010 2010 2010 2009 2010 Approve 53 53 48 51 53 72 48 Disapprove 41 40 43 41 41 17 43 DK/NA 6 7 9 7 6 10 9 5. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Approve 20% 17% 26% 17% 22% 18% 16% Disapprove 65 73 54 71 70 60 72 DK/NA 15 10 20 13 8 22 13 UpStat NYC Sub Approve 12% 28% 20% Disapprove 74 55 66 DK/NA 14 17 14 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job? APPROVE...... DIS... High Low High Feb 23 Sep 01 Jul 28 Jun 23 Apr 04 Sep 01 Jun 23 2011 2010 2010 2010 2007 2010 2010 Approve 20 15 16 16 34 15 16 Disapprove 65 75 74 76 43 75 76 DK/NA 15 9 10 7 23 9 7 6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way your state assembly member is handling their job? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Approve 35% 31% 42% 29% 33% 38% 34% Disapprove 42 46 36 49 49 36 49 DK/NA 22 23 22 22 18 26 17 UpStat NYC Sub Approve 31% 39% 38% Disapprove 51 35 39 DK/NA 19 26 24 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way your state assembly member is handling their job? Feb 23 Dec 20 Aug 11 Jun 17 2011 2005 2004 2004 Approve 35 55 48 54 Disapprove 42 22 26 24 DK/NA 22 15 19 17 7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way your state senator is handling their job? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Approve 49% 45% 56% 45% 47% 51% 52% Disapprove 32 39 24 37 36 29 34 DK/NA 18 16 20 18 17 20 14 UpStat NYC Sub Approve 45% 52% 54% Disapprove 41 24 30 DK/NA 14 24 16 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way your state senator is handling their job? Feb 23 Dec 20 Aug 11 Jun 17 2011 2005 2004 2004 Approve 49 63 54 58 Disapprove 32 22 27 25 DK/NA 18 15 19 17 8. 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% 3% 1% 2% 2% 2% Smwht satisfied 29 27 38 23 30 29 24 Smwht dissatisfied 34 27 37 36 33 35 34 Very dissatisfied 33 43 21 39 34 33 39 DK/NA 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 UpStat NYC Sub Very satisfied 1% 3% 2% Smwht satisfied 22 36 32 Smwht dissatisfied 35 34 32 Very dissatisfied 41 25 33 DK/NA 1 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? VERY+SMWHT SAT High Low Feb 23 Jan 26 Dec 08 Sep 01 Jul 28 Feb 25 Jun 23 2011 2011 2010 2010 2010 1998 2010 Very satisfied 2 2 2 1 3 13 1 Smwht satisfied 29 26 23 19 20 60 18 Smwht dissatisfied 34 37 31 31 32 20 33 Very dissatisfied 33 33 42 47 45 7 47 DK/NA 2 2 1 1 - 1 1 9. Which one of the following statements comes closest to the way you feel about Andrew Cuomo: A) I like Andrew Cuomo as a person and I also like most of his policies B) I like Andrew Cuomo as a person but I don't like most of his policies C) I don't like Andrew Cuomo as a person but I do like most of his policies D) I don't like Andrew Cuomo as a person and I also don't like most of his policies Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Person/Policies 46% 38% 54% 47% 46% 47% 45% Person/Not policies 16 21 17 13 16 15 18 Policies/Not person 10 15 6 11 12 8 6 Not Pol/Not person 10 10 5 14 11 9 15 DK/NA 18 17 18 15 14 21 16 UpStat NYC Sub Person/Policies 47% 48% 42% Person/Not policies 18 15 13 Policies/Not person 9 11 10 Not Pol/Not person 9 9 14 DK/NA 16 17 21 10. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Andrew Cuomo is handling the state budget? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Approve 57% 55% 55% 63% 63% 51% 53% Disapprove 28 30 27 26 25 29 33 DK/NA 16 15 19 11 12 20 15 Home ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME.... UpStat NYC Sub Owners <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Approve 61% 52% 57% 61% 49% 60% 60% 63% Disapprove 28 27 28 25 31 28 25 26 DK/NA 11 21 16 14 20 12 15 11 11. 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 81% 85% 75% 85% 79% 83% 77% Smwht serious 16 11 22 13 19 14 22 Not too serious 1 3 2 - 1 2 1 Not at all serious 1 1 - 1 1 1 - DK/NA 1 - 1 1 1 1 - Home ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME.... UpStat NYC Sub Owners <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Very serious 84% 76% 84% 84% 80% 80% 80% 82% Smwht serious 15 20 13 14 17 17 18 15 Not too serious 1 2 2 1 2 2 1 1 Not at all serious - 1 - - - 1 1 - DK/NA - 1 - - - - - 1 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? (*High also 81 Feb 2010) VERY SERIOUS.. High Low Feb 23 Jan 26 Dec 09 Feb 04 Aug 18 Feb 23 Dec 18 2011 2011 2010 2010 2009 2011* 2002 Very serious 81 77 78 81 65 81 48 Smwht serious 16 19 19 15 28 16 44 Not too serious 1 1 1 3 5 1 5 Not at all serious 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 DK/NA 1 2 1 1 1 1 5 12. 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 39% 36% 46% 37% 42% 37% 36% No 47 54 37 51 50 45 54 DK/NA 13 10 17 12 8 18 10 Home ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME.... UpStat NYC Sub Owners <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Yes 38% 42% 39% 37% 46% 34% 37% 44% No 53 41 46 51 39 54 52 46 DK/NA 9 17 14 12 15 12 11 10 TREND: Do you think Governor Cuomo and the legislature will be able to solve New York State's budget problems or not? Feb 23 Jan 26 Dec 09 2011 2011 2010 Yes 39 43 38 No 47 39 46 DK/NA 13 17 16 13. Should Governor Cuomo steamroll his opponents to get what he wants or should he try to persuade them as they share a meal? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Steamroll 19% 20% 16% 22% 26% 14% 15% Persuade 68 68 71 66 66 70 75 DK/NA 12 12 13 12 8 17 9 Home ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME.... UpStat NYC Sub Owners <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Steamroll 20% 19% 17% 22% 17% 20% 20% 23% Persuade 69 66 69 66 68 73 71 67 DK/NA 11 14 14 11 15 7 9 9 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 Raise taxes 30% 13% 43% 29% 26% 34% 35% Cut services 55 75 41 58 62 49 50 DK/NA 15 12 17 13 12 18 15 Home ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME.... UpStat NYC Sub Owners <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Raise taxes 25% 37% 27% 26% 31% 28% 34% 30% Cut services 63 44 59 63 44 62 54 61 DK/NA 13 19 13 11 25 10 12 9 TREND: To balance the state budget, if you had to choose, would you prefer - raising taxes or cutting government programs and services? Feb 23 Jan 26 Dec 09 Feb 04 Aug 18 Feb 18 Jan 15 2011 2011 2010 2010 2009 2009 2009 Raising taxes 30 27 30 30 33 34 30 Cutting services 55 60 56 58 54 51 56 DK/NA 15 13 15 12 13 15 14 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 46% 59% 31% 55% 55% 38% 37% Oppose 48 33 65 38 40 55 58 DK/NA 6 7 4 7 4 8 5 Home ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME.... UpStat NYC Sub Owners <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Support 52% 36% 50% 52% 44% 40% 43% 60% Oppose 41 58 43 42 48 53 54 36 DK/NA 7 5 7 6 7 6 3 4 TREND: To help balance the state budget do you support or oppose - layoffs for state employees? Feb 23 Jan 26 Dec 09 2011 2011 2010 Support 46 45 43 Oppose 48 47 52 DK/NA 6 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 56% 62% 45% 64% 62% 49% 50% Oppose 32 26 42 26 27 37 44 DK/NA 12 12 13 11 11 13 6 Home ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME.... UpStat NYC Sub Owners <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Support 57% 52% 59% 63% 51% 52% 60% 66% Oppose 31 36 30 29 35 40 33 29 DK/NA 12 12 11 8 14 8 8 5 TREND: To help balance the state budget do you support or oppose - furloughs for state employees? Feb 23 Jan 26 Dec 09 2011 2011 2010 Support 56 52 56 Oppose 32 30 32 DK/NA 12 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 72% 78% 65% 77% 74% 70% 66% Oppose 24 19 28 22 22 25 32 DK/NA 5 3 7 1 3 5 2 Home ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME.... UpStat NYC Sub Owners <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Support 78% 65% 72% 80% 65% 72% 75% 80% Oppose 17 29 26 18 28 26 23 19 DK/NA 4 6 2 2 7 2 2 1 TREND: To help balance the state budget, do you support or oppose a wage freeze for state workers? Feb 23 Jan 26 Dec 09 Feb 04 Dec 16 2011 2011 2010 2010 2009 Support 72 75 72 75 68 Oppose 24 20 23 20 28 DK/NA 5 5 5 5 5 18. To help balance the state budget, do you support or oppose - reducing pension benefits for new state workers? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Support 58% 66% 46% 66% 63% 53% 48% Oppose 37 30 47 30 33 40 47 DK/NA 6 4 7 5 4 8 5 Home ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME.... UpStat NYC Sub Owners <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Support 65% 47% 62% 65% 51% 52% 58% 69% Oppose 29 48 32 29 40 45 37 29 DK/NA 6 5 6 6 9 3 5 1 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 22% 36% 8% 26% 28% 16% 16% Oppose 76 62 91 72 70 82 83 DK/NA 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 HvKids UpStat NYC Sub PubSch Support 26% 17% 23% 14% Oppose 72 81 75 86 DK/NA 2 2 2 - TREND: To help balance the state budget, do you support or oppose cutting state aid to public schools? Feb 23 Jan 26 Dec 09 Feb 04 2011 2011 2010 2010 Support 22 18 19 19 Oppose 76 79 78 78 DK/NA 2 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 23% 37% 8% 27% 29% 17% 16% Oppose 74 60 90 70 69 79 82 DK/NA 3 3 3 3 2 3 2 HvKids UpStat NYC Sub PubSch Support 28% 17% 23% 14% Oppose 70 79 74 85 DK/NA 2 4 2 - TREND: To help balance the state budget, do you support or oppose - cutting state aid to your local public schools? Feb 23 Jan 26 2011 2011 Support 23 18 Oppose 74 79 DK/NA 3 3 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 32% 46% 19% 37% 39% 25% 31% Oppose 64 51 80 57 57 71 66 DK/NA 4 3 2 5 3 4 3 Home ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME.... UpStat NYC Sub Owners <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Support 39% 26% 30% 37% 18% 32% 37% 37% Oppose 57 71 66 59 77 65 61 59 DK/NA 4 3 4 4 5 3 2 4 TREND: 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? Feb 23 Jan 26 2011 2011 Support 32 28 Oppose 64 69 DK/NA 4 3 22. Governor Andrew Cuomo has pledged that in trying to balance the state's budget deficit that he will not raise taxes. Do you think Andrew Cuomo should have made this pledge or not? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Yes 46% 57% 38% 44% 45% 46% 37% No 48 35 54 55 50 47 59 DK/NA 6 8 8 2 5 7 4 Home ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME.... UpStat NYC Sub Owners <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Yes 49% 43% 44% 49% 43% 45% 47% 46% No 45 50 51 47 49 52 50 52 DK/NA 6 6 6 5 8 3 3 3 23. Do you think Andrew Cuomo will be able to keep this pledge or not? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Yes 29% 34% 29% 26% 28% 30% 23% No 60 58 56 65 63 57 72 DK/NA 11 8 15 9 9 14 5 Home ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME.... UpStat NYC Sub Owners <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Yes 30% 26% 31% 31% 30% 31% 25% 27% No 63 57 60 60 50 60 67 66 DK/NA 7 17 9 9 20 9 8 7 24. If a tax increase is needed, which would you prefer; raising the state sales tax or raising the state income tax? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Sales tax 59% 63% 56% 62% 60% 59% 63% Income tax 31 25 37 30 31 31 27 DK/NA 10 12 7 8 9 10 10 Home ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME.... UpStat NYC Sub Owners <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Sales tax 59% 58% 62% 61% 54% 61% 66% 63% Income tax 33 33 24 29 37 30 28 28 DK/NA 8 8 14 11 8 9 7 9 TREND: If a tax increase is needed, which would you prefer - raising the state sales tax or raising the state income tax? Feb 23 Feb 18 Jan 15 Aug 6 2011 2009 2009 2008 Raising sales tax 59 64 61 58 Raising income tax 31 28 29 32 DK/NA 10 8 10 10 25. 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 80% 88% 74% 81% 79% 80% 83% No 15 9 18 15 18 11 13 DK/NA 6 3 8 4 3 8 4 Home ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME.... UpStat NYC Sub Owners <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Yes 82% 73% 87% 84% 76% 81% 86% 77% No 14 18 11 13 14 15 11 20 DK/NA 4 9 2 3 10 3 3 3 TREND: Should there be a cap on how much property taxes can be raised annually in New York State or not? Feb 23 Jan 26 2011 2011 Yes 80 82 No 15 13 DK/NA 6 5 26. Do you think government workers should have to wait until they are 65 to collect their pensions or not? Union Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom HsHolds Yes 63% 66% 57% 70% 68% 59% 45% No 33 30 38 27 28 37 49 DK/NA 4 4 5 2 4 4 6 UpStat NYC Sub 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Yes 61% 61% 71% 54% 63% 62% 73% No 34 36 26 41 33 35 22
