May 9, 2012 - Ohio Voters Are More Satisfied - But Not With Gov, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Back Drilling Tax To Cut Income Tax 2-1 Word format Ohio voter satisfaction with life in the state hits 51 percent, up from an all-time low of 29 percent in October and the first time it's back at the midpoint since 2007, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. But Gov. John Kasich still has a negative 41 - 44 percent approval rating, statistically unchanged from his 42 - 42 percent score in March. Voters back 60 - 32 percent the governor's proposal to tax energy production and use the money to cut income taxes, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. As Las Vegas-style casinos open in the state this month, 62 percent of voters say they will be good for the state, although 62 percent say they are not likely to go to a casino. "Ohioans are more optimistic about how things are going than they have been for five years," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "That may be because the state's economy has improved, so much so that the Buckeye unemployment rate is below the national average and lower than many of the Sun Belt states where Ohioans have been fleeing for decades for better economic opportunities." A total of 51 percent of voters are "very satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied" with the way things are going in Ohio. Satisfaction is 55 percent among men and 47 percent among women, 61 percent among Republicans, 42 percent among Democrats and 50 percent among independent voters. The last time the satisfaction rate hit 50 percent was in July 2007. "Gov. Kasich's numbers have come up somewhat along with the optimism, but he still has a ways to go. Voters say 49 - 40 percent that he is unfair in the way he handles the budget, but they do see him as a strong leader, 54 - 36 percent, which is a characteristic voters seek in their executives," said Brown. "The gender gap remains alive and well in Ohio when it comes to satisfaction and to approval of the governor." Kasich gets 49 - 41 percent approval among men, but thumbs down from women 46 - 34 percent. He has approval ratings of 68 - 20 percent among Republicans and 45 - 39 percent among independent voters, but Democrats disapprove 72 - 12 percent. Voters say 28 - 23 percent that the Ohio economy has gotten better since Kasich took office, with 45 percent saying it has not changed. Those who see improvement give Kasich, rather than President Barack Obama, the credit 68 - 22 percent. Those who think the economy is worse blame Kasich rather than the president 49 - 27 percent. The economic benefits of drilling for natural gas and oil in Ohio outweigh environmental concerns, voters say 64 - 29 percent. Voters support a new tax on companies drilling for gas and oil 55 - 35 percent. That support increases slightly to 60 - 32 percent when voters are asked if they support the tax on drilling if the money is used to cut the income tax. Support for this tax, with the money used to cut income taxes, is 54 - 36 percent among Republicans, 65 - 28 percent among Democrats and 63 - 29 percent among independent voters. "This looks like an issue on which Gov. Kasich has the voters behind him," said Brown. "Voters also are united on the benefits of casino gambling. Democrats say 69 - 24 percent; Republicans say 54 - 40 percent and independent voters say 63 - 26 percent that casinos are an odds-on bet to help the state." But only 37 percent of women and 39 percent of men say they are "very likely" or "somewhat likely" to visit a casino in the state. From May 2 - 7, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,069 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 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. 10. Do you approve or disapprove of the way John Kasich is handling his job as Governor? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 41% 68% 12% 45% 49% 34% Disapprove 44 20 72 39 41 46 DK/NA 15 12 15 15 10 19 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Approve 48% 38% 30% 38% 45% 55% 37% 45% 43% Disapprove 43 44 49 51 42 41 44 44 43 DK/NA 9 18 21 12 14 3 19 11 14 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way John Kasich is handling his job as Governor? (*Low also 30% Jan 2011) APPROVE....... High Low May 09 Mar 28 Feb 14 Jan 19 Dec 08 Mar 28 Mar 23 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011 2012 2011* Approve 41 42 40 39 38 42 30 Disapprove 44 42 46 48 50 42 46 DK/NA 15 16 14 13 12 16 23 11. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 33% 52% 15% 32% 39% 27% Disapprove 47 28 63 48 48 46 DK/NA 20 20 22 20 13 27 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Approve 32% 33% 25% 38% 35% 36% 31% 35% 32% Disapprove 49 46 51 48 49 46 49 46 45 DK/NA 19 21 23 14 16 18 20 19 23 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job? APPROVE....... High Low May 09 Feb 14 Jan 19 Jun 29 Apr 29 Dec 10 Dec 12 2012 2012 2012 2010 2010 2008 2006 Approve 33 35 32 33 35 46 25 Disapprove 47 48 49 47 47 35 55 DK/NA 20 18 19 20 19 19 20 15. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Ohio today; are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very satisfied 4% 6% 2% 4% 4% 4% Smwht satisfied 47 55 40 46 51 43 Smwht dissatisfied 31 26 38 31 28 33 Very dissatisfied 17 12 18 18 15 19 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 2 1 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Very satisfied 3% 4% 4% 1% 4% 4% 2% 5% 5% Smwht satisfied 47 47 42 49 45 54 44 48 50 Smwht dissatisfied 33 30 28 31 35 30 33 30 28 Very dissatisfied 15 18 24 18 14 10 19 17 16 DK/NA 2 1 2 - 1 1 2 - 1 TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Ohio today; are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? (*Low also 29% Mar 2011) VERY+SMWHT SAT High Low May 09 Feb 14 Jan 19 Oct 25 Sep 27 Mar 21 Oct 25 2012 2012 2012 2011 2011 2007 2011* Very satisfied 4 3 4 3 3 5 3 Smwht satisfied 47 40 37 26 31 49 26 Smwht dissatisfied 31 36 36 34 32 28 34 Very dissatisfied 17 20 22 37 32 16 37 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 17. Would you say that John Kasich cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 40% 68% 13% 38% 49% 32% No 50 22 74 53 45 54 DK/NA 10 10 13 9 6 14 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Yes 46% 38% 31% 37% 45% 55% 39% 41% 43% No 46 51 56 55 48 41 49 51 49 DK/NA 7 11 13 8 7 5 12 8 9 18. Would you say that John Kasich has strong leadership qualities or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 54% 76% 31% 54% 58% 50% No 36 16 59 35 36 36 DK/NA 10 8 10 12 6 14 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Yes 57% 52% 45% 51% 59% 63% 55% 55% 50% No 35 37 42 43 33 31 36 36 38 DK/NA 7 11 13 6 9 7 10 9 12 19. Do you approve or disapprove of the way John Kasich is handling the state budget? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 37% 61% 13% 38% 44% 30% Disapprove 49 25 74 47 46 52 DK/NA 14 14 13 14 10 18 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Approve 43% 34% 23% 33% 39% 55% 31% 41% 38% Disapprove 45 51 60 51 50 37 51 51 44 DK/NA 12 15 17 17 11 7 18 8 17 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way John Kasich is handling the state budget? May 09 Jan 19 Oct 25 Sep 27 Jul 20 May 09 Mar 23 2012 2012 2011 2011 2011 2012 2011 Approve 37 33 34 35 32 37 31 Disapprove 49 53 55 53 54 49 51 DK/NA 14 13 11 12 14 14 18 20. Do you think that the way that John Kasich has handled the state's budget since taking office has been fair or unfair to people like you? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Fair 40% 70% 13% 40% 48% 33% Unfair 49 21 77 48 45 53 DK/NA 10 9 10 11 7 14 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Fair 49% 36% 27% 40% 41% 57% 37% 41% 45% Unfair 45 51 59 54 50 38 50 51 46 DK/NA 6 12 15 6 9 5 12 8 10 21. Do you think that Ohio's economy has gotten better, worse, or stayed about the same since John Kasich took office? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Better 28% 42% 17% 27% 33% 23% Worse 23 15 28 24 17 28 The same 45 40 51 44 46 44 DK/NA 4 4 4 5 4 5 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Better 36% 24% 17% 25% 31% 47% 22% 31% 32% Worse 17 26 35 26 14 12 24 24 18 The same 42 46 41 47 53 38 49 43 42 DK/NA 4 4 6 3 2 3 5 2 7 TREND: Do you think that Ohio's economy has gotten better, worse, or stayed about the same since John Kasich took office? May 09 Jan 19 2012 2012 Better 28 19 Worse 23 29 The same 45 48 DK/NA 4 4 22. (If "Better" q21) Do you credit Barack Obama or John Kasich more for this change? BETTER Q21....... Tot Men Wom Obama 22% 23% 20% Kasich 68 69 67 NEITHER (VOL) 5 6 4 BOTH (VOL) 1 1 1 DK/NA 4 1 8 TREND: (If "Better") Do you credit Barack Obama or John Kasich more for this change? BETTER ........ May 09 Jan 19 2012 2012 Obama 22 15 Kasich 68 75 NEITHER (VOL) 5 4 BOTH (VOL) 1 2 DK/NA 4 4 23. (If "Worse" q21) Do you blame Barack Obama or John Kasich more for this change? WORSE Q21........ Tot Men Wom Obama 27% 21% 30% Kasich 49 53 46 NEITHER (VOL) 8 11 7 BOTH (VOL) 14 15 13 DK/NA 2 1 3 TREND: (If "Worse") Do you blame Barack Obama or John Kasich more for this change? WORSE......... May 09 Jan 19 2012 2012 Obama 27 20 Kasich 49 55 NEITHER (VOL) 8 13 BOTH (VOL) 14 7 DK/NA 2 5 24. Some people say there should be drilling for natural gas and oil in Ohio because of the potential economic benefits. Others say there should not be drilling for natural gas and oil in Ohio because of the potential environmental impact. Which comes closer to your point of view? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Drilling 64% 82% 47% 64% 72% 56% No drilling 29 12 44 29 23 33 DK/NA 8 6 9 7 5 11 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Drilling 62% 65% 62% 63% 64% 74% 63% 66% 63% No drilling 32 27 29 31 31 20 32 28 24 DK/NA 6 8 9 6 5 6 6 6 13 HEARD OF HYDRO-FRKNG Q28 Yes No Drilling 61% 68% No drilling 32 22 DK/NA 6 10 TREND: Some people say there should be drilling for natural gas and oil in Ohio because of the potential economic benefits, others say there should not be drilling for natural gas and oil in Ohio because of the potential environmental impact. Which comes closer to your point of view? May 09 Jan 19 2012 2012 Drilling 64 64 No drilling 29 29 DK/NA 8 7 25. Do you support or oppose a new tax on companies drilling for natural gas and oil in Ohio? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 55% 45% 64% 57% 57% 53% Oppose 35 44 26 34 37 33 DK/NA 10 11 10 8 6 14 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Support 62% 52% 55% 58% 60% 54% 57% 55% 50% Oppose 29 38 36 36 31 34 35 38 31 DK/NA 9 11 10 7 9 11 8 6 19 HEARD OF HYDRO-FRKNG Q28 Yes No Support 59% 48% Oppose 31 42 DK/NA 10 10 26. Would you support or oppose a new tax on companies drilling for natural gas and oil in Ohio, if the money raised was used to cut income taxes for state residents? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 60% 54% 65% 63% 62% 59% Oppose 32 36 28 29 32 31 DK/NA 8 10 7 7 6 10 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Support 57% 62% 65% 65% 60% 55% 63% 61% 56% Oppose 35 30 27 28 34 37 30 33 31 DK/NA 8 8 9 7 6 8 7 7 13 HEARD OF HYDRO-FRKNG Q28 Yes No Support 57% 65% Oppose 35 27 DK/NA 8 8 27. Do you think that drilling for natural gas and oil in Ohio will create jobs or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 82% 90% 76% 82% 84% 79% No 13 7 17 13 11 15 DK/NA 5 3 8 4 5 6 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Yes 86% 80% 76% 88% 81% 90% 83% 83% 80% No 10 14 18 9 13 8 13 13 13 DK/NA 3 6 6 3 6 2 5 4 7 HEARD OF HYDRO-FRKNG Q28 Yes No Yes 82% 82% No 12 14 DK/NA 6 4 TREND: Do you think that drilling for natural gas and oil in Ohio will create jobs or not? May 09 Jan 19 2012 2012 Yes 82 85 No 13 11 DK/NA 5 3 28. Have you heard or read anything about hydro-fracking? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 64% 73% 63% 59% 73% 56% No 35 26 36 41 27 43 DK/NA 1 1 - 1 1 1 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Yes 83% 56% 40% 61% 80% 84% 55% 68% 71% No 17 44 59 38 20 16 45 31 28 DK/NA - 1 - 1 - - - 1 1 TREND: Have you heard or read anything about hydro-fracking? May 09 Jan 19 2012 2012 Yes 64 59 No 35 40 DK/NA 1 1 29. Energy companies want to practice hydro-fracking in Ohio. Hydro-fracking is the process of pumping water and chemicals into the ground under high pressure to fracture rocks. This releases oil and 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 Yes/Will damage 45% 28% 61% 44% 38% 51% No/Won't damage 19 32 8 17 28 10 Don't Know 36 39 31 39 33 39 REFUSED - 1 - - 1 - COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Yes/Will damage 42% 46% 50% 40% 46% 36% 50% 44% 35% No/Won't damage 24 16 10 20 20 32 15 22 22 Don't Know 33 37 40 40 34 30 35 34 43 REFUSED 1 - - - - 1 1 - 1 HEARD OF HYDRO-FRKNG Q28 Yes No Yes/Will damage 49% 38% No/Won't damage 24 9 Don't Know 27 52 REFUSED - 1 TREND: Energy companies want to practice hydro-fracking in Ohio. Hydro-fracking is the process of pumping water and chemicals into the ground under high pressure to fracture rocks. This releases oil and 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? May 09 Jan 19 2012 2012 Yes/Will damage 45 43 No/Won't damage 19 16 Don't Know 36 40 REFUSED - 1 30. Ohio's first Las Vegas style casino will open this month and three more are to open later this year. Do you think these casinos will be good or bad for Ohio? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Good 62% 54% 69% 63% 62% 62% Bad 29 40 24 26 30 29 DK/NA 9 7 7 11 8 10 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Good 57% 64% 63% 70% 61% 59% 70% 58% 52% Bad 34 27 29 23 30 31 23 33 36 DK/NA 9 9 7 6 9 10 7 8 12 31. Regardless of whether you think these casinos will be good or bad for Ohio, how likely is it that you will go to one of these casinos in the next year or so; very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not likely at all? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very likely 20% 17% 24% 20% 22% 19% Smwht likely 17 18 17 16 17 18 Not too likely 15 15 16 14 16 14 Not likely at all 47 49 42 49 44 49 DK/NA - 1 - - - - COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Very likely 17% 22% 21% 22% 17% 24% 24% 17% 16% Smwht likely 19 17 15 23 18 16 19 18 16 Not too likely 18 14 11 15 20 15 17 15 13 Not likely at all 45 48 53 39 45 45 41 49 55 DK/NA - - - 1 - - - - 1 Demographic Summary
