July 26, 2012 - New York Voters Nix Pay Raise For Lawmakers 5-1, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Back Higher Taxes For Rich, Health Care Law Word format New York State voters oppose 80 - 16 percent a pay raise for state legislators. Opposition is over 70 percent among every group and in every part of the state, except voters with household income of more than $250,000, who oppose the pay raise 53 - 45 percent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Suggesting a pay raise for legislators as part of a deal to increase the minimum wage in New York State is a bad idea, voters say 66 - 28 percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN- uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Again, there is strong opposition from every group and in every region. Linking a legislative pay raise to a law limiting the size of campaign contributions also is a bad idea, voters say 63 - 28 percent, with every group opposed by wide margins. When asked, however, how often state legislators should get a pay raise: 3 percent say every year; 43 percent say every two to five years; 23 percent say every six to 10 years; 12 percent say less often; 10 percent say never. "The talk in Albany says there'll be a legislative pay raise voted in a special session after the election, but it doesn't look like a popular idea," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Could there be a deal? Bigger legislative paychecks in exchange for some campaign- finance reforms? How about buying some love for lawmakers by raising the minimum wage? Voters want none of it. More than two out of three voters say state legislators should get a raise every six to 10 years, or less, but Albany lawmakers haven't had a raise in 13 years. "Lawmakers looking for a raise might want to get that message out to the voters." Voters do not believe 80 - 15 percent, that raising legislators' pay will attract better candidates for office. The Legislature gets a negative 31 - 51 percent approval rating, the best score since a negative 32 - 50 percent rating in a February 17, 2009, Quinnipiac University poll. Drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale splits voters right down the middle 43 - 44 percent. Republicans support drilling 66 - 23 percent. Democrats oppose drilling 53 - 32 percent. Among independent voters, 44 percent support drilling while 47 percent oppose it. Upstate voters split 43 - 44 percent, as New York City voters say no 46 - 41 percent and suburban voters say yes to drilling 48 - 40 percent. Voters believe 75 - 17 percent that drilling will create jobs, with strong support among all groups. But voters believe 53 - 12 percent that hydro-fracking will damage the environment. Republicans say 31 - 27 percent it will cause damage, and all other groups strongly agree that fracking will hurt the environment. New York State voters support more than 2-1 raising federal income taxes on upper income families: 29 percent support raising taxes on people with a household income of more than $250,000 per year; 40 percent support a tax hike on people with a household income of more than $1 million per year; 28 percent are opposed to any federal income tax hike. Among voters with household income of more than $250,000 per year, 12 percent support the $250,000 tax hike threshold, while 49 percent say set the mark at $1 million and 38 percent oppose any tax hike. All voters reject 53 - 39 percent the argument that increasing taxes on people in households making more than $250,000 will discourage small businesses from hiring. New York State voters say 55 - 36 percent that the U.S. Congress should not try to repeal the health care law. Backing the Affordable Care Act are Democrats 80 - 12 percent and independent voters 53 - 37 percent, while Republicans favor repeal 73 - 20 percent. From July 17 - 23, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,779 New York State voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.3 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, Virginia 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. 12. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 31% 30% 37% 30% 30% 32% 28% 42% 42% Disapprove 51 55 41 58 57 46 55 40 38 DK/NA 18 16 22 12 13 22 17 18 21 UpStat NYC Sub Approve 28% 35% 31% Disapprove 58 45 49 DK/NA 14 20 20 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job? APPROVE....... High Low Jul 26 Feb 15 Dec 20 Oct 26 Sep 20 Apr 04 Sep 01 2012 2012 2011 2011 2011 2007 2010 Approve 31 29 26 25 26 34 15 Disapprove 51 58 59 63 61 43 75 DK/NA 18 13 15 13 13 23 9 13. 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 Hsp Very satisfied 4% 1% 5% 4% 3% 4% 3% 4% 6% Smwht satisfied 42 30 53 41 41 43 39 54 43 Smwht dissatisfied 33 40 28 32 32 33 35 27 28 Very dissatisfied 21 29 12 23 22 19 22 13 20 DK/NA 1 - 2 1 1 1 1 1 3 UpStat NYC Sub Very satisfied 3% 5% 3% Smwht satisfied 39 46 41 Smwht dissatisfied 31 31 38 Very dissatisfied 26 16 18 DK/NA 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 Jul 26 May 31 Feb 15 Dec 20 Oct 26 Feb 25 Jun 23 2012 2012 2012 2011 2011 1998 2010 Very satisfied 4 6 3 3 4 13 1 Smwht satisfied 42 46 39 39 30 60 18 Smwht dissatisfied 33 28 33 35 34 20 33 Very dissatisfied 21 18 25 23 31 7 47 DK/NA 1 1 - 1 1 1 1 18. Would you support or oppose a pay raise for members of the state legislature, who currently earn a base salary of $79,500 a year? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 16% 15% 20% 17% 18% 15% 16% 22% 11% Oppose 80 82 76 79 78 81 81 72 88 DK/NA 4 3 4 4 3 4 3 6 2 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME <50K 50-100 100-250 >250K Support 11% 16% 23% 45% Oppose 86 81 75 53 DK/NA 4 3 2 2 19. (If Support Q18) Do you think the base salary for members of the state legislature should be $100,000 a year, should be less than $100,000 a year, or should be more than $100,000 a year? SUPPORT PAY RAISE Q18 Tot Men Wom $100K 43% 42% 46% Less than $100K 34 34 34 More than $100K 16 21 12 DK/NA 6 4 8 19a. (Combined Q18 and Q19) Would you support or oppose a pay raise for members of the state legislature, who currently earn a base salary of $79,500 a year? IF SUPPORT: Do you think the base salary for members of the state legislature should be $100,000 a year, should be less than $100,000 a year, or should be more than $100,000 a year? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Increase to $100K 7% 7% 9% 7% 8% 7% 7% 10% 6% Increase < $100K 6 4 7 6 6 5 5 8 4 Increase > $100K 3 4 2 3 4 2 3 2 1 Oppose increase 80 82 76 79 78 81 81 72 88 DK/NA 5 3 6 4 4 5 4 8 2 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME <50K 50-100 100-250 >250K Increase to $100K 5% 8% 11% 18% Increase < $100K 4 6 6 12 Increase > $100K 1 2 5 14 Oppose increase 86 81 75 53 DK/NA 5 3 3 3 20. Suppose the state legislature agrees to increase the minimum wage in exchange for an increase in their salaries. Do you think this deal would be a good idea or a bad idea? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Good idea 28% 21% 34% 26% 25% 30% 23% 43% 34% Bad idea 66 74 58 72 69 64 71 50 61 DK/NA 6 5 8 3 6 6 6 6 5 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME <50K 50-100 100-250 >250K Good idea 32% 24% 25% 25% Bad idea 61 72 72 73 DK/NA 7 4 2 3 21. Suppose the state legislature agrees to limit the amount of campaign contributions they would be allowed to accept in exchange for an increase in their salaries. Do you think this deal would be a good idea or a bad idea? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Good idea 28% 27% 32% 29% 31% 26% 30% 29% 20% Bad idea 63 66 59 63 62 64 62 63 67 DK/NA 9 7 10 8 7 11 9 8 13 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME <50K 50-100 100-250 >250K Good idea 24% 31% 38% 38% Bad idea 66 64 57 61 DK/NA 10 6 5 1 22. In your opinion, how often should state legislators get a pay raise, every year, every 2 to 5 years, every 6 to 10 years, less often, or never? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Every year 3% 3% 3% 3% 4% 3% 3% 4% 3% 2 to 5 years 43 40 48 43 42 45 42 51 44 6 to 10 years 23 25 23 21 24 21 23 24 23 Less often 12 14 10 13 11 13 12 10 17 Never 10 10 7 10 11 9 10 6 7 DK/NA 9 9 8 9 9 9 10 6 7 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME <50K 50-100 100-250 >250K Every year 3% 2% 4% 9% 2 to 5 years 38 48 52 54 6 to 10 years 26 24 22 14 Less often 13 11 11 9 Never 11 8 7 10 DK/NA 8 8 5 5 23. Do you think that by raising legislators' pay, they'll be able to attract better candidates or don't you think so? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes 15% 14% 16% 16% 15% 14% 14% 23% 12% No 80 83 78 80 80 81 83 68 84 DK/NA 5 3 7 4 4 5 4 9 3 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME <50K 50-100 100-250 >250K Yes 16% 13% 15% 23% No 77 85 83 75 DK/NA 8 2 2 2 24. Some people say there should be drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale because of the economic benefits. Others say there should not be drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale because of the environmental impact. Which comes closer to your point of view? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Drilling 43% 66% 32% 44% 52% 36% 46% 36% 35% No drilling 44 23 53 47 37 50 41 48 52 DK/NA 13 11 16 9 11 14 13 16 13 HEARD OF HYDRO-FRACKING Q27 UpStat NYC Sub Yes No Drilling 43% 41% 48% 39% 50% No drilling 44 46 40 51 32 DK/NA 13 14 12 9 18 TREND: Some people say there should be drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale because of the economic benefits. Others say there should not be drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale because of the environmental impact. Which comes closer to your point of view? Jul 26 Dec 21 Oct 27 Sep 21 Aug 11 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 Drilling 43 44 44 45 47 No drilling 44 45 43 41 42 DK/NA 13 11 12 13 12 25. Do you support or oppose a new tax on companies drilling for natural gas in the state's Marcellus Shale? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 47% 36% 53% 48% 47% 46% 47% 51% 43% Oppose 39 51 31 40 41 38 39 35 44 DK/NA 14 13 15 12 12 16 14 14 13 HEARD OF HYDRO-FRACKING Q27 UpStat NYC Sub Yes No Support 45% 48% 46% 51% 40% Oppose 42 37 38 39 40 DK/NA 13 15 16 11 19 TREND: Do you support or oppose a new tax on companies drilling for natural gas in the state's Marcellus Shale? Jul 26 Dec 21 Oct 27 Sep 21 Aug 11 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 Support 47 57 55 51 59 Oppose 39 31 32 36 29 DK/NA 14 12 13 12 12 26. Do you think that drilling for natural gas in the state's Marcellus Shale will create jobs or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes 75% 89% 72% 70% 79% 72% 76% 73% 73% No 17 6 17 24 15 18 16 19 17 DK/NA 8 5 11 6 5 11 8 7 10 HEARD OF HYDRO-FRACKING Q27 UpStat NYC Sub Yes No Yes 74% 74% 80% 72% 81% No 19 17 12 21 10 DK/NA 7 10 8 7 9 TREND: Do you think that drilling for natural gas in the state's Marcellus Shale will create jobs or not? Jul 26 Dec 21 Oct 27 Sep 21 Aug 11 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 Yes 75 75 73 74 75 No 17 18 19 19 17 DK/NA 8 7 9 7 8 27. Have you heard or read anything about hydro-fracking? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes 62% 66% 53% 69% 68% 56% 74% 28% 29% No 37 33 46 31 31 43 26 70 68 DK/NA 1 1 2 - 1 1 1 1 3 UpStat NYC Sub Yes 80% 43% 59% No 19 55 40 DK/NA 1 2 1 TREND: Have you heard or read anything about hydro-fracking? Jul 26 Dec 21 Oct 27 Sep 21 Aug 11 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 Yes 62 59 54 53 57 No 37 39 44 46 42 DK/NA 1 1 2 1 1 28. Natural gas drilling companies want to practice hydro-fracking in New York State. Hydro-fracking is the process of pumping water and chemicals into the ground under high pressure to fracture rocks. This releases natural gas trapped in the rocks which is then collected. Do you think hydro-fracking will cause environmental damage or not, or don't you know? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Will damage 53% 31% 63% 55% 48% 58% 50% 62% 60% No/Won't Damage 12 27 4 12 19 7 15 4 5 Don't Know 34 41 32 33 32 35 34 33 35 REFUSED 1 1 - - 1 - 1 - - HEARD OF HYDRO-FRACKING Q27 UpStat NYC Sub Yes No Yes/Will damage 52% 57% 50% 60% 42% No/Won't Damage 15 9 13 17 5 Don't Know 32 34 37 22 52 REFUSED 1 - - 1 - TREND: Natural gas drilling companies want to practice hydro-fracking in New York State. Hydro-fracking is the process of pumping water and chemicals into the ground under high pressure to fracture rocks. This releases natural gas trapped in the rocks which is then collected. Do you think hydro-fracking will cause environmental damage or not, or don't you know? Jul 26 Dec 21 Oct 27 Sep 21 Aug 11 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 Yes/Will damage 53 55 50 51 52 No/Won't damage 12 13 14 13 15 Don't Know 34 31 35 35 33 REFUSED 1 1 1 - - 29. Which would you prefer: A) Raise federal income taxes on people with a household income of more than $250,000 per year, B) Raise federal income taxes on people with a household income of more than $1 million per year, or C) Don't raise federal income taxes on anyone? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp A) Raise if >$250K 29% 19% 41% 25% 28% 31% 31% 25% 25% B) Raise if >$1M 40 29 44 39 37 42 36 49 54 C) Don't raise 28 48 13 32 32 25 31 25 20 DK/NA 3 3 2 3 4 2 2 1 1 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME <50K 50-100 100-250 >250K A) Raise if >$250K 32% 34% 29% 12% B) Raise if >$1M 41 36 40 49 C) Don't raise 25 26 30 38 DK/NA 2 3 1 1 30. Do you think raising federal income taxes on people with a household income of more than $250,000 per year would discourage small businesses from hiring more employees or don't you think so? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes 39% 57% 25% 41% 42% 35% 40% 35% 39% No 53 36 66 52 51 54 52 56 55 DK/NA 9 7 9 8 6 11 9 9 7 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME <50K 50-100 100-250 >250K Yes 35% 33% 46% 48% No 54 61 50 47 DK/NA 11 6 4 4 31. Do you think Congress should try to repeal the health care law, or should they let it stand? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Repeal it 36% 73% 12% 37% 39% 33% 44% 7% 27% Let it stand 55 20 80 53 54 56 47 90 58 DK/NA 9 7 8 10 7 11 9 3 15 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME AGE IN YEARS..... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Repeal it 33% 38% 30% 37% 38% 37% 34% 37% 35% Let it stand 62 51 54 58 55 58 57 54 55 DK/NA 6 12 16 5 7 5 8 9 11 32. The Supreme Court has heard a challenge to the health care law and voted to uphold it. Do you agree or disagree with the Supreme Court decision to uphold the health care law? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Agree 55% 20% 76% 56% 54% 55% 49% 79% 52% Disagree 38 70 18 37 41 35 43 19 36 DK/NA 7 10 6 7 5 10 8 2 12 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME AGE IN YEARS..... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Agree 65% 48% 53% 54% 56% 63% 52% 54% 56% Disagree 31 43 34 42 40 35 43 39 34 DK/NA 4 9 13 4 4 3 5 6 9 Demographic Summary
