January 31, 2013 - Equal Pay For Women Has Most Support In New York, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Back Minimum Wage 5-1, Split On Gas Drilling Word format PDF format Looking at some of the proposals Gov. Andrew Cuomo made in his State of the State Address, New York State voters offer their strongest support for state action to achieve equal pay for women, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Equal pay for women should be the highest priority for Gov. Cuomo and the State Legislature, 53 percent of voters tell the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll. Another 36 percent say it should be a high priority, but not the highest, while 10 percent say it should be a lower priority. Among women, 60 percent say highest priority and 33 percent say high priority. Among men, 46 percent say highest and 38 percent say high. Voter sentiments on other issues are: Campaign finance reform - 31 percent highest priority and 37 percent high priority; Bar exam-type test for teachers - 28 percent highest and 43 percent high; Merit pay for teacher - 26 percent highest and 45 percent high; Longer school day/school year - 17 percent highest and 39 percent high. "That liberal shibboleth - equal pay for women - wins overwhelming support in this liberal state," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Even Republicans make it their top priority, although with less support than Democrats. "Campaign finance reform edges out New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's innovative idea of a 'Bar Exam' for would-be teachers on the to-do list. Merit pay for teachers is next on the list and voters don't seem to have a lot of love for more classroom time." New York State voters support 80 - 17 percent raising the state's minimum wage. Support is 61 - 35 percent among Republicans, 95 - 3 percent among Democrats and 77 - 22 percent among independent voters. Support in every income, age, educational and regional group tops 70 percent. Natural Gas Drilling Voters, however, remain divided on the issue of drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale as 43 percent support drilling because of the economic benefits while 42 percent oppose drilling because of environmental concerns. Support is 48 - 40 percent upstate and 48 - 36 percent in the suburbs while New York City voters are opposed 48 - 36 percent. "Yes, yes, yes to a hike in the minimum wage, New Yorkers say overwhelmingly in poll after poll," Carroll said. "With the same consistency, Quinnipiac University polls show voters are divided on drilling for natural gas. It's a persisting issue and it continues to split voters down the middle." In an open-ended question, where respondents can give any answer, 32 percent of New York votes say the economy is the most important problem facing the Empire State, followed by 17 percent who list taxes, 9 percent who cite education and 7 percent who say the state budget. From January 23 - 28, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,127 New York State voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.9 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 information or RSS feed, visit http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter. 6. 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 7% 2% 11% 5% 6% 7% 4% 11% Smwht satisfied 43 28 56 40 41 46 43 38 Smwht dissatisfied 24 28 19 27 26 23 24 33 Very dissatisfied 25 42 12 29 27 23 27 18 DK/NA 1 1 1 - - 1 1 - COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Very satisfied 6% 7% 9% 5% 1% 10% 3% 8% Smwht satisfied 53 38 40 46 51 46 46 42 Smwht dissatisfied 24 24 26 25 23 29 24 23 Very dissatisfied 16 30 24 22 24 16 27 26 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 - - 1 1 AREA............. Union UpStat NYC Sub HsHld Very satisfied 3% 10% 8% 4% Smwht satisfied 33 53 46 45 Smwht dissatisfied 28 18 27 26 Very dissatisfied 34 19 18 25 DK/NA 1 1 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 Jan 31 Dec 12 Sep 12 Jul 26 May 31 Feb 25 Jun 23 2013 2102 2012 2012 2012 1998 2010 Very satisfied 7 5 5 4 6 13 1 Smwht satisfied 43 50 47 42 46 60 18 Smwht dissatisfied 24 29 30 33 28 20 33 Very dissatisfied 25 15 17 21 18 7 47 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7. What do you think is the most important problem facing New York State today? (Trend information is available upon request back through Aug 1997) Tot Economy Total 32% Economy general 6 Unemployment/jobs 23 Cost of living 1 Economy other 2 Taxes Total 17% Taxes general 11 Property tax 3 Income Tax 1 Taxes other 2 Education Total 9% Education general 3 Funding education 3 Teachers 1 Education other 2 Budget Total 7% Budget general 2 Gov too big/Gov spending 2 Budget deficits 1 Budget priorities 1 Budget other 1 Gun control 4% Politicians Total 4% Politicians/Campaigns general 1 Governor/State leadership/Legislature 1 Political corruption 1 Politicians other 1 Healthcare/Costs/Ins/HMO's 3% Hurricane Sandy Recovery 3% Crime Total 2% Crime/Violence general 1 Crime other 1 Hydrofracking/Natural Gas Drilling 1% Welfare 1% Pension 1% Housing general 1% Energy crisis/Gas prices general 1% Environment/Pollution 1% Other 4% DK/NA 6% 8. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Andrew Cuomo is handling the state budget? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 53% 47% 61% 47% 54% 51% 56% 48% Disapprove 31 35 21 39 32 30 29 35 DK/NA 16 18 18 14 14 18 16 17 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Approve 62% 47% 47% 54% 62% 37% 51% 63% Disapprove 25 35 34 30 28 40 34 23 DK/NA 14 18 19 16 10 23 14 14 AREA............. Union UpStat NYC Sub HsHld Approve 46% 54% 62% 54% Disapprove 38 26 28 34 DK/NA 16 20 10 12 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Andrew Cuomo is handling the state budget? APPROVE....... High Low Jan 31 Feb 15 Dec 20 Oct 26 Sep 20 Sep 20 Jan 31 2013 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2013 Approve 53 57 56 57 62 62 53 Disapprove 31 31 32 29 25 25 31 DK/NA 16 12 12 14 13 13 16 9. Governor Andrew Cuomo has pledged that in trying to balance the state's budget that he will not raise taxes. Do you think Andrew Cuomo should have made this pledge or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 55% 66% 50% 53% 53% 56% 56% 57% No 39 28 42 42 41 37 38 33 DK/NA 7 6 8 5 6 7 6 10 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Yes 54% 55% 52% 53% 59% 56% 51% 57% No 40 38 40 41 39 36 44 35 DK/NA 6 7 8 6 2 7 5 8 AREA............. Union UpStat NYC Sub HsHld Yes 55% 53% 58% 50% No 39 40 36 44 DK/NA 6 8 6 6 TREND: Governor Andrew Cuomo has pledged that in trying to balance the state's budget that he will not raise taxes. Do you think Andrew Cuomo should have made this pledge or not? Jan 31 Feb 23 2013 2011 Yes 55 46 No 39 48 DK/NA 7 6 10. Do you think Andrew Cuomo will be able to keep this pledge or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 31% 25% 38% 26% 31% 30% 27% 44% No 56 63 46 63 59 53 59 44 DK/NA 14 12 16 10 10 17 14 12 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Yes 34% 28% 28% 30% 33% 26% 31% 33% No 52 58 59 57 59 63 60 50 DK/NA 14 13 14 13 8 11 10 17 AREA............. Union UpStat NYC Sub HsHld Yes 23% 36% 36% 32% No 65 48 53 56 DK/NA 12 17 10 12 TREND: Do you think Andrew Cuomo will be able to keep this pledge or not? Jan 31 Feb 23 2013 2011 Yes 31 29 No 56 60 DK/NA 14 11 16. 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 Drilling 43% 63% 28% 49% 53% 34% 47% 34% No drilling 42 21 55 42 35 48 39 53 DK/NA 15 16 17 10 12 17 13 13 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Drilling 36% 48% 42% 44% 43% 36% 45% 46% No drilling 53 36 39 44 46 47 44 39 DK/NA 12 16 18 12 10 17 11 15 AREA............. Union UpStat NYC Sub HsHld Drilling 48% 36% 48% 41% No drilling 40 48 36 47 DK/NA 13 16 16 12 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? (* Low also 43% Jul 2012) DRILLING...... High Low Jan 31 Dec 13 Sep 12 Jul 26 Dec 21 Aug 11 Jan 31 2013 2012 2012 2012 2011 2011 2013 Drilling 43 44 45 43 44 47 43 No drilling 42 42 41 44 45 42 42 DK/NA 15 15 13 13 11 12 15 17. Would you support or oppose raising the minimum wage in New York State, which is now $7.25 an hour? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 80% 61% 95% 77% 75% 85% 76% 95% Oppose 17 35 3 22 23 12 21 3 DK/NA 2 4 2 1 2 3 2 2 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 82% 79% 85% 78% 78% 79% 83% 80% Oppose 16 19 14 20 20 20 16 18 DK/NA 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 3 AREA............. Union UpStat NYC Sub HsHld Support 73% 87% 81% 86% Oppose 24 10 18 13 DK/NA 3 2 1 1 TREND: Would you support or oppose raising the minimum wage in New York State, which is now $7.25 an hour? Jan 31 Dec 13 May 30 Apr 04 2013 2012 2012 2012 Support 80 80 79 78 Oppose 17 18 18 20 DK/NA 2 1 2 3 18. (Intro Q18-22 rotated) Governor Cuomo made a series of proposals in his State-of-the-State speech. For each proposal I name, please tell me what kind of priority you think Cuomo and the legislature should give it; the highest priority, a high priority but not the highest, or a lower priority. Do you think Cuomo and the legislature should give - equal pay for women the highest priority, a high priority but not the highest, or a lower priority? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Highest priority 53% 41% 61% 51% 46% 60% 50% 72% High/Not highest 36 45 33 35 38 33 38 22 Lower priority 10 14 4 13 15 5 11 6 DK/NA 1 - 2 1 1 1 1 - COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Highest priority 53% 54% 57% 50% 51% 49% 52% 57% High/Not highest 38 34 34 37 39 37 36 35 Lower priority 9 10 7 12 10 12 12 7 DK/NA 1 1 2 - - 1 - 1 AREA............. Union UpStat NYC Sub HsHld Highest priority 50% 56% 55% 60% High/Not highest 39 33 35 31 Lower priority 11 9 9 8 DK/NA 1 2 1 1 19. Do you think Cuomo and the legislature should give - campaign finance reform the highest priority, a high priority but not the highest, or a lower priority? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Highest priority 31% 18% 32% 36% 33% 28% 30% 34% High/Not highest 37 41 36 37 36 39 40 37 Lower priority 27 36 28 23 27 28 26 26 DK/NA 4 5 5 4 4 4 3 4 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Highest priority 30% 31% 28% 34% 31% 19% 27% 38% High/Not highest 39 36 40 35 41 36 41 36 Lower priority 29 27 26 29 26 42 28 22 DK/NA 1 6 6 2 2 4 4 4 AREA............. Union UpStat NYC Sub HsHld Highest priority 30% 29% 36% 32% High/Not highest 39 39 33 40 Lower priority 27 28 27 26 DK/NA 5 5 3 2 20. Do you think Cuomo and the legislature should give - merit pay for teachers the highest priority, a high priority but not the highest, or a lower priority? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Highest priority 26% 21% 27% 27% 23% 28% 22% 38% High/Not highest 45 44 46 45 46 43 45 42 Lower priority 27 29 24 27 28 25 30 19 DK/NA 3 6 3 1 2 4 3 2 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Highest priority 23% 27% 29% 22% 24% 30% 27% 23% High/Not highest 48 43 42 46 47 47 45 44 Lower priority 27 26 23 31 28 19 26 30 DK/NA 2 4 5 2 1 4 2 3 AREA............. Union HAVE KIDS...... UpStat NYC Sub HsHld <18 InPubSch Highest priority 20% 29% 30% 23% 31% 31% High/Not highest 43 47 43 44 43 42 Lower priority 34 19 26 31 23 24 DK/NA 3 5 - 1 4 2 21. Do you think Cuomo and the legislature should give - a longer school day or longer school years the highest priority, a high priority but not the highest, or a lower priority? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Highest priority 17% 11% 20% 17% 14% 19% 14% 26% High/Not highest 39 39 40 36 38 39 37 42 Lower priority 42 49 36 45 45 39 46 31 DK/NA 3 2 4 2 2 3 3 1 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Highest priority 14% 18% 21% 15% 13% 13% 15% 20% High/Not highest 38 39 37 38 41 40 37 39 Lower priority 45 39 39 45 45 45 45 37 DK/NA 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 4 AREA............. Union HAVE KIDS...... UpStat NYC Sub HsHld <18 InPubSch Highest priority 18% 17% 15% 16% 13% 15% High/Not highest 38 39 39 34 39 36 Lower priority 43 40 44 48 45 46 DK/NA 2 4 2 2 3 3 22. Do you think Cuomo and the legislature should give - a bar-exam type test for all prospective teachers the highest priority, a high priority but not the highest, or a lower priority? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Highest priority 28% 21% 28% 29% 24% 32% 22% 45% High/Not highest 43 46 42 45 43 43 45 39 Lower priority 26 29 26 25 30 22 31 16 DK/NA 3 5 4 1 3 3 2 1 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Highest priority 21% 32% 33% 23% 23% 36% 27% 24% High/Not highest 44 42 43 46 43 38 42 47 Lower priority 31 23 21 28 31 23 28 26 DK/NA 4 3 2 2 3 3 3 4 AREA............. Union HAVE KIDS...... UpStat NYC Sub HsHld <18 InPubSch Highest priority 22% 34% 30% 29% 33% 33% High/Not highest 46 40 40 41 41 42 Lower priority 30 20 29 28 22 20 DK/NA 3 6 1 2 4 5 23. Do you think Cuomo's proposals are mostly about doing what is best for New York State or mostly about gaining political advantage in a possible Presidential campaign? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Best for NYS 47% 35% 59% 41% 42% 52% 47% 53% Political advantage 44 57 30 52 50 38 45 37 DK/NA 9 8 11 7 8 10 8 10 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Best for NYS 51% 45% 44% 45% 52% 41% 46% 52% Political advantage 40 46 46 46 41 49 47 38 DK/NA 9 9 10 9 7 10 7 10 AREA............. Union UpStat NYC Sub HsHld Best for NYS 41% 51% 52% 46% Political advantage 52 38 38 48 DK/NA 8 11 10 6 Demographic Summary
