March 20, 2013 - New York State Voters Oppose Gas Drilling, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Want Casino, But Not In Their Back Yard Word format PDF format For the first time ever, New York State voters oppose by a clear margin, 46 - 39 percent, drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale, as concerns for the environment win out over the promise of economic benefits, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Support for drilling peaked at 47 - 42 percent when the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN- uh-pe-ack) University poll first asked the question August 11, 2011. For the last year, voters have been virtually tied on the question of whether they support drilling because of economic benefits or oppose drilling because of environmental concerns. Today, upstate voters remain divided, with 44 percent in favor of drilling and 42 percent opposed, while suburban voters are split 42 - 42 percent. New York City voters oppose drilling 53 - 32 percent. Republicans support drilling 62 - 21 percent while Democrats are opposed 60 - 24 percent. Independent voters are divided with 46 percent in favor and 42 percent opposed. Gov. Andrew Cuomo is "carefully evaluating the issue of hydro-fracking," 21 percent of New York State voters say, but 30 percent say his is "dragging his feet...to avoid making a decision," with 46 percent offering no opinion. "New Yorkers might be getting impatient with the long delay over natural gas drilling. They're turning negative on the basic idea and more of them see foot-dragging by Gov. Andrew Cuomo rather than a careful evaluation," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "The governor's strong leadership on gun-control cost him Republican support. A decision on drilling, or hydro-fracking, could win back some of that support, but what would it do to his Democratic support?" "One surefire winner is the minimum wage, which continues to get overwhelming support, including strong Republican support," Carroll added. New York State voters support 80 - 18 percent raising the $7.25 per-hour minimum wage in the state, continuing 78 to 80 percent support on this issue in five Quinnipiac University polls over the last 12 months. Republicans support a minimum wage hike 62 - 36 percent, also continuing a year-long trend. Support is 85 percent among women, 88 percent among New York City voters and 96 percent among black voters. Offered several choices on where to set the new minimum wage: 49 percent of voters want it higher than $8.50 per hour; 26 percent want to set the wage at $8.50 per hour; 4 percent want an increase, but less than $8.50 per hour; 18 percent want no increase. "We're still a liberal state. Support for raising the minimum wage is huge, especially among women, New York City voters and black voters," Carroll said. New York State voters support 52 - 38 percent the creation of Las Vegas-type casinos in the state, with support among all groups. Voters, however, are divided 46 - 46 percent on whether changing the State Constitution to allow for these casinos is a good idea or a bad idea. And voters oppose 54 - 41 percent having a casino in their town or city. Upstate voters are divided with 45 percent willing to have a casino nearby and 49 percent opposed. Opposition is 55 - 41 percent among New York City voters and 63 - 34 percent among suburban voters. "Casinos? Okay, New Yorkers say, but not in my town," Carroll said. "And voters balk at amending the State Constitution, although that's the only way to get casinos." From March 11 - 17, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,165 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, or call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter. 14. 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 39% 62% 24% 46% 47% 33% 43% 28% No drilling 46 21 60 42 43 49 44 52 DK/NA 14 18 16 12 10 18 13 20 AREA............. Union UpStat NYC Sub HsHld Drilling 44% 32% 42% 36% No drilling 42 53 42 52 DK/NA 13 15 16 12 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Drilling 35% 42% 37% 41% 44% 36% 42% 41% No drilling 54 41 48 47 44 54 45 43 DK/NA 11 17 15 11 12 10 13 16 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? DRILLING...... High Low Mar 20 Jan 31 Dec 13 Sep 12 Jul 26 Aug 11 Mar 20 2013 2013 2012 2012 2012 2011 2013 Drilling 39 43 44 45 43 47 39 No drilling 46 42 42 41 44 42 46 DK/NA 14 15 15 13 13 12 14 15. Which comes closer to your point of view; Governor Cuomo is carefully evaluating the issue of hydro-fracking, or Governor Cuomo is dragging his feet and trying to avoid making a decision on the issue of hydro-fracking, or don't you have an opinion on that? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Carefully evaluating 21% 10% 26% 21% 21% 22% 23% 21% Dragging his feet 30 40 20 35 35 25 33 14 No opinion 46 47 51 42 42 50 41 64 DK/NA 3 3 3 2 2 4 3 1 AREA............. Union UpStat NYC Sub HsHld Carefully evaluating 23% 21% 18% 23% Dragging his feet 36 22 31 31 No opinion 39 53 48 43 DK/NA 2 4 3 3 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Carefully evaluating 27% 17% 20% 25% 23% 12% 22% 24% Dragging his feet 33 28 24 38 31 30 31 30 No opinion 37 52 53 36 44 53 47 43 DK/NA 3 3 3 1 3 5 1 3 TREND: Which comes closer to your point of view; Governor Cuomo is carefully evaluating the issue of hydro-fracking, or Governor Cuomo is dragging his feet and trying to avoid making a decision on the issue of hydro-fracking, or don't you have an opinion on that? Mar 20 Dec 13 2013 2012 Carefully evaluating 21 26 Dragging his feet 30 25 No opinion 46 44 DK/NA 3 4 16. 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% 62% 95% 73% 75% 85% 76% 96% Oppose 18 36 5 23 23 14 21 4 DK/NA 2 1 1 3 2 1 2 - AREA............. Union UpStat NYC Sub HsHld Support 73% 88% 82% 82% Oppose 25 11 16 17 DK/NA 2 1 3 1 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 81% 80% 82% 80% 78% 83% 80% 79% Oppose 17 19 16 19 20 17 19 18 DK/NA 2 2 2 1 2 - 1 2 TREND: Would you support or oppose raising the minimum wage in New York State, which is now $7.25 an hour? Mar 20 Jan 31 Dec 13 May 30 Apr 04 2013 2013 2012 2012 2012 Support 80 80 80 79 78 Oppose 18 17 18 18 20 DK/NA 2 2 1 2 3 17. (If support q16) Do you think that the minimum wage should be $8.50 an hour, should be less than $8.50 an hour, or should be more than $8.50 an hour? SUPPORT INCREASE Q16 Tot Men Wom Exactly $8.50 32% 30% 34% Less than $8.50 5 3 6 More than $8.50 61 65 59 DK/NA 2 2 2 TREND: (If support) Do you think that the minimum wage should be $8.50 an hour, should be less than $8.50 an hour, or should be more than $8.50 an hour? SUPPORT INCREASE.............. Mar 20 Dec 13 May 30 Apr 04 2013 2012 2012 2012 Exactly $8.50 32 35 40 37 Less than $8.50 5 7 7 8 More than $8.50 61 54 50 52 DK/NA 2 3 2 3 17a. (COMBINED Q16 & Q17)Would you support or oppose raising the minimum wage in New York State, which is now $7.25 an hour? IF SUPPORT: Do you think that the minimum wage should be $8.50 an hour, should be less than $8.50 an hour, or should be more than $8.50 an hour? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Increase to $8.50 26% 28% 25% 28% 23% 29% 28% 21% Increase < $8.50 4 5 2 5 3 5 4 2 Increase > $8.50 49 28 66 39 49 50 42 74 Oppose increase 18 36 5 23 23 14 21 4 DK/NA 3 3 2 4 3 3 4 - AREA............. Union UpStat NYC Sub HsHld Increase to $8.50 26% 24% 28% 23% Increase < $8.50 5 3 3 4 Increase > $8.50 40 59 49 54 Oppose increase 25 11 16 17 DK/NA 3 3 4 2 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Increase to $8.50 29% 24% 25% 25% 28% 34% 25% 23% Increase < $8.50 5 3 3 3 7 5 4 3 Increase > $8.50 46 51 53 49 43 43 49 52 Oppose increase 17 19 16 19 20 17 19 18 DK/NA 4 3 3 4 3 1 3 4 TREND: (COMBINED)Would you support or oppose raising the minimum wage in New York State, which is now $7.25 an hour? IF SUPPORT: Do you think that the minimum wage should be $8.50 an hour, should be less than $8.50 an hour, or should be more than $8.50 an hour? Mar 20 Dec 13 May 30 Apr 04 2013 2012 2012 2012 Increase to $8.50 26 28 32 29 Increase < $8.50 4 6 6 6 Increase > $8.50 49 43 40 41 Oppose increase 18 18 18 20 DK/NA 3 4 4 5 18. Do you support or oppose the creation of non-indian casinos in New York State, similar to those in Atlantic City and Las Vegas? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 52% 55% 49% 57% 56% 48% 54% 53% Oppose 38 34 40 36 36 39 36 36 DK/NA 11 11 11 8 8 13 10 11 AREA............. Union UpStat NYC Sub HsHld Support 54% 50% 50% 56% Oppose 34 41 40 35 DK/NA 12 10 10 9 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 49% 54% 52% 58% 52% 57% 54% 48% Oppose 41 36 39 34 40 32 37 41 DK/NA 10 11 10 8 8 11 9 11 TREND: Do you support or oppose the creation of non-indian casinos in New York State, similar to those in Atlantic City and Las Vegas? Mar 20 May 30 Feb 15 Dec 21 Sep 21 2013 2012 2012 2011 2011 Support 52 56 54 64 56 Oppose 38 33 38 31 37 DK/NA 11 11 8 5 7 19. There is a proposal to change the state constitution to allow for the creation of non-indian casinos in New York State, similar to those in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Good idea 46% 49% 42% 50% 51% 41% 48% 44% Bad idea 46 43 47 44 43 48 45 47 DK/NA 9 8 10 6 6 11 7 10 AREA............. Union UpStat NYC Sub HsHld Good idea 48% 44% 44% 50% Bad idea 43 47 49 42 DK/NA 8 10 7 8 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Good idea 43% 47% 44% 51% 47% 50% 47% 45% Bad idea 48 45 47 41 48 38 46 48 DK/NA 9 8 9 8 5 11 8 8 TREND: There is a proposal to change the state constitution to allow for the creation of non-indian casinos in New York State, similar to those in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea? Mar 20 May 30 Feb 15 2013 2012 2012 Good idea 46 49 50 Bad idea 46 42 42 DK/NA 9 9 8 20. Do you favor or oppose having casino gambling in the town or city you live in? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Favor 41% 39% 40% 44% 44% 39% 41% 47% Oppose 54 56 55 53 50 57 54 50 DK/NA 5 5 4 3 6 4 4 3 AREA............. Union UpStat NYC Sub HsHld Favor 45% 41% 34% 47% Oppose 49 55 63 49 DK/NA 6 5 4 5 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Favor 38% 43% 45% 48% 36% 50% 41% 38% Oppose 56 53 49 50 61 47 55 56 DK/NA 6 4 6 2 3 4 4 6 TREND: Do you favor or oppose having casino gambling in the town or city you live in? Mar 20 Nov 15 2013 2001 Favor 41 30 Oppose 54 66 DK/NA 5 4 Demographic Summary
