March 1, 2013 - Ohio Voters Turn Thumbs Down On Gov's Tax Plan, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; 90 Percent Support Gun Show Background Checks Word format PDF format Ohio voters say 48 - 42 percent that Gov. John Kasich's desire to reduce the state income tax and increase revenues from the sales tax is a bad idea, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Mirroring results in other states surveyed by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University, 90 percent of Ohio voters, including 86 percent of voters in households where there is a gun, favor background checks for all gun purchases. By a smaller 53 - 44 percent margin, voters favor a nationwide ban on assault weapons. Gun-owners oppose such a ban 60 - 38 percent. Ohio voters say 57 - 33 percent that gun ownership makes people safer rather than less safe and say 49 - 40 percent that the National Rifle Association rather than President Barack Obama best reflects their views on guns. "Gov. John Kasich is popular, but voters don't like his view that the income tax should be cut and the sales tax broadened as a preferable way to raise state revenue," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "When it is explained to them that Kasich wants to cut the income tax from 5.5 to 5 percent and increase the services that would be subject to the sales tax, they like that idea even less, 51 - 40 percent." As the third anniversary approaches of the signing of the Affordable Care Act, so-called "Obama Care," Ohio voters say 39 - 14 percent that the new health law will hurt rather than help them personally. Another 39 percent say it won't affect them. Voters agree 48 - 42 percent with the idea of opening up the state Medicaid program to more recipients. "Although voters overall like expanding Medicaid, Republicans oppose it 65 - 24 percent, a significant number given the GOP House could block the plan," said Brown. Democrats say 71 - 22 percent that Medicaid expansion is a good idea and independent voters agree 48 - 43 percent. Looking at the overall Affordable Care Act, however, Ohio voters disapprove 48 - 39 percent. "Most important politically, independent voters say 43 - 13 percent that the new health care law will hurt them personally," Brown said. Republicans by 65 - 1 percent expect ACA to hurt them personally, while Democrats say 25 - 12 percent it will help them. Men say 42 - 14 percent it will hurt, and women agree 36 - 15 percent. "On gun policy public opinion might be seen as a paradox," said Brown. "Voters overwhelming favor background checks for those buying guns and want to ban assault weapons and ammunition clips with more than 10 bullets - positions that are in opposition to those espoused by the NRA. Yet, they see the NRA more in tune with their views on gun policy than President Barack Obama, who favors background checks and bans on assault weapons and high- capacity magazines. "Moreover, on the key question of whether guns make society safer or less safe, by almost 2-1 voters see them as making society safer. Asked whether they would favor stricter gun control laws, 41 percent say yes, while 11 percent say they should be made less strict and 44 percent say existing laws are about right." Ohio voters are divided in their opinion of President Barack Obama, giving him a 48 - 47 percent job approval rating. In terms of how people like him personally, he gets virtually an identical score, with 49 percent viewing him favorably, 46 percent unfavorably. From February 21 - 26, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,011 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 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. Is your opinion of Barack Obama favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Favorable 49% 9% 91% 45% 45% 53% 43% 90% Unfavorable 46 88 6 48 51 41 52 6 Hvn't hrd enough 2 - 1 3 1 3 2 3 REFUSED 3 2 2 4 3 3 3 1 WHITE................................. COLLEGE DEG Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Favorable 51% 40% 37% 42% 38% 48% Unfavorable 47 54 58 54 58 47 Hvn't hrd enough 1 2 1 1 1 2 REFUSED 2 4 4 3 3 3 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Favorable 54% 48% 54% 48% 49% 51% 50% 48% Unfavorable 43 47 40 49 51 42 46 48 Hvn't hrd enough 2 2 3 1 - 4 1 1 REFUSED 1 3 3 2 - 3 3 3 TREND: Is your opinion of Barack Obama favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? FAVORABLE..... High Low Mar 01 Dec 11 Jun 27 May 10 May 03 Dec 11 Jan 30 2013 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2007 Favorable 49 56 50 48 46 56 35 Unfavorable 46 41 44 47 45 41 12 Hvn't hrd enough 2 1 3 2 5 1 52 REFUSED 3 2 3 2 5 2 1 15. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 48% 7% 90% 45% 44% 52% 42% 92% Disapprove 47 89 8 50 52 43 54 4 DK/NA 4 4 3 5 4 5 5 4 WHITE................................. COLLEGE DEG Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Approve 49% 39% 36% 43% 36% 47% Disapprove 48 56 60 53 59 49 DK/NA 3 5 4 4 4 5 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Approve 52% 47% 54% 45% 47% 50% 48% 47% Disapprove 45 48 41 52 53 41 49 50 DK/NA 3 5 5 3 1 9 3 3 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? APPROVE....... High Low Mar 01 Dec 11 Jun 27 May 10 May 03 Feb 06 Dec 08 2013 2012 2012 2012 2012 2009 2011 Approve 48 54 48 49 48 67 41 Disapprove 47 42 46 48 47 16 55 DK/NA 4 4 5 2 5 17 4 20. Governor Kasich wants to change the state's tax system by decreasing the income tax and expanding use of the sales tax. In general, do you think decreasing state income tax and expanding state sales tax is a good idea or a bad idea? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Good idea 42% 64% 20% 44% 47% 37% 44% 29% Bad idea 48 28 71 43 44 51 47 56 DK/NA 11 8 9 13 9 12 9 14 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Good idea 46% 40% 37% 51% 51% 36% 48% 41% Bad idea 47 48 51 42 44 50 44 49 DK/NA 7 12 12 7 4 14 8 10 21. Governor Kasich's proposal would reduce the sales tax rate from 5.5 percent to 5 percent, but expand the types of purchases that would be taxed including tickets, haircuts, lobbyists and legal services. Do you think that reducing the sales tax rate and expanding the types of purchases that would be taxed is a good idea or a bad idea? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Good idea 40% 55% 27% 42% 47% 35% 42% 33% Bad idea 51 35 67 49 46 55 49 61 DK/NA 9 10 6 10 7 11 9 7 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Good idea 41% 40% 38% 47% 46% 43% 48% 34% Bad idea 50 51 54 45 48 47 48 55 DK/NA 8 9 8 8 6 10 4 11 22. Do you support or oppose a new tax on companies drilling for natural gas and oil in Ohio? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 58% 50% 63% 61% 62% 55% 58% 60% Oppose 32 41 26 31 32 32 33 28 DK/NA 10 8 11 7 6 13 9 12 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 62% 57% 58% 59% 63% 62% 64% 52% Oppose 31 32 32 31 35 25 31 37 DK/NA 8 10 10 10 2 13 5 11 TREND: Do you support or oppose a new tax on companies drilling for natural gas and oil in Ohio? Mar 01 Dec 12 May 09 2013 2012 2012 Support 58 52 55 Oppose 32 38 35 DK/NA 10 10 10 23. As you may know Medicaid is a government program that pays for health care for low-income people and others with certain disabilities. Do you think that increasing the number of people eligible for Medicaid coverage in Ohio is a good idea or a bad idea? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Good idea 48% 24% 71% 48% 45% 51% 43% 80% Bad idea 42 65 22 43 47 37 47 15 DK/NA 10 11 7 9 7 12 10 5 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Good idea 46% 49% 56% 39% 47% 53% 49% 46% Bad idea 46 40 36 51 50 42 44 41 DK/NA 7 11 8 9 3 5 7 13 24. From what you've heard or read, do you approve or disapprove of the health care law that was enacted in 2010? IF APPROVE: Do you strongly approve or somewhat approve? IF DISAPPROVE: Do you somewhat disapprove or strongly disapprove? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Strongly approve 19% 1% 40% 14% 17% 20% 16% 44% Somewhat approve 20 7 28 23 20 19 20 20 Somewhat disapprove 11 13 8 14 12 11 11 9 Strongly disapprove 37 69 8 36 41 33 41 5 DK/NA 14 11 16 13 11 17 13 22 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Strongly approve 29% 15% 17% 20% 25% 17% 19% 19% Somewhat approve 20 20 22 16 20 28 19 16 Somewhat disapprove 8 12 12 13 8 8 15 10 Strongly disapprove 36 37 30 44 44 28 38 40 DK/NA 7 16 19 6 1 18 9 15 25. From what you've heard or read, do you think the 2010 health care law will mostly help you personally, will mostly hurt you personally, or don't you think it will have much of an effect on you personally? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Help 14% 1% 25% 13% 14% 15% 12% 28% Hurt 39 65 12 43 42 36 41 17 No effect 39 29 52 38 39 39 40 37 DK/NA 8 5 11 7 5 11 6 18 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Help 14% 14% 18% 10% 10% 23% 15% 9% Hurt 38 39 33 46 44 31 44 39 No effect 45 37 38 40 45 37 35 43 DK/NA 3 10 11 3 - 9 5 9 26. In general do you think that gun control laws in Ohio should be more strict, less strict, or are they about right? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk More strict 41% 16% 66% 40% 35% 48% 37% 69% Less strict 11 14 6 12 18 5 11 9 About right 44 67 24 44 46 42 49 16 DK/NA 4 3 4 4 2 5 3 7 Gun DENSITY............ HsHld Urban Subrbn Rural More strict 25% 48% 46% 26% Less strict 16 12 6 15 About right 58 37 44 55 DK/NA 2 3 5 3 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ More strict 49% 39% 43% 39% 44% 42% 37% 43% Less strict 8 12 11 13 8 12 16 7 About right 40 45 41 44 47 42 45 45 DK/NA 2 4 5 3 1 4 2 5 TREND: In general do you think that gun control laws in Ohio should be more strict, less strict, or are they about right? Mar 01 Dec 12 2013 2006 More strict 41 35 Less strict 11 12 About right 44 46 DK/NA 4 6 27. Do you support or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 53% 34% 75% 51% 40% 65% 51% 66% Oppose 44 63 24 45 58 31 46 32 DK/NA 3 3 2 4 2 4 3 3 Gun DENSITY............ HsHld Urban Subrbn Rural Support 38% 61% 54% 41% Oppose 60 37 43 55 DK/NA 2 3 3 4 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 61% 50% 54% 53% 48% 38% 48% 62% Oppose 37 46 42 45 51 58 51 34 DK/NA 2 3 4 3 1 4 1 4 28. Do you support or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of high-capacity ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 bullets? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 54% 34% 73% 52% 47% 60% 52% 65% Oppose 42 61 24 44 51 34 43 32 DK/NA 5 5 3 4 3 6 5 3 Gun DENSITY............ HsHld Urban Subrbn Rural Support 43% 54% 58% 46% Oppose 54 39 40 48 DK/NA 3 7 2 5 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 64% 50% 53% 52% 54% 44% 50% 60% Oppose 34 45 40 45 45 51 47 35 DK/NA 3 5 6 3 1 5 3 6 29. Do you support or oppose requiring background checks for all gun buyers? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 90% 84% 97% 90% 86% 94% 89% 98% Oppose 8 14 2 9 12 5 9 2 DK/NA 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 - Gun DENSITY............ HsHld Urban Subrbn Rural Support 86% 90% 92% 89% Oppose 12 9 7 9 DK/NA 2 1 2 1 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 89% 91% 93% 88% 90% 91% 90% 91% Oppose 8 8 6 11 8 9 8 8 DK/NA 3 1 1 1 2 - 2 1 30. Do you support or oppose placing an armed police officer in public schools in Ohio? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 64% 68% 58% 64% 63% 64% 62% 69% Oppose 31 26 36 32 32 31 32 30 DK/NA 5 6 6 4 5 6 6 1 Gun DENSITY............ HAVE KIDS...... HsHld Urban Subrbn Rural <18 InPubSch Support 71% 67% 59% 65% 70% 69% Oppose 24 29 37 27 25 27 DK/NA 5 4 4 8 5 5 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 47% 69% 71% 63% 48% 77% 65% 56% Oppose 46 26 26 32 46 19 31 37 DK/NA 6 5 3 6 6 5 3 7 31. Do you think that gun ownership in the United States does more to protect people from becoming victims of crime, or does more to put people's safety at risk? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Protects people 57% 81% 36% 56% 64% 51% 61% 34% Puts people at risk 33 13 54 30 27 38 30 54 DK/NA 10 6 9 15 9 11 9 12 Gun DENSITY............ HsHld Urban Subrbn Rural Protects people 75% 54% 52% 69% Puts people at risk 19 36 38 21 DK/NA 7 10 10 9 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Protects people 51% 60% 56% 62% 59% 59% 62% 53% Puts people at risk 38 31 33 31 31 31 31 35 DK/NA 11 10 11 7 10 10 7 12 32. Do you think allowing citizens to own assault weapons makes the country safer or more dangerous? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Safer 32% 48% 15% 35% 44% 22% 35% 12% More dangerous 57 38 80 54 47 65 54 81 DK/NA 11 14 5 11 8 13 11 7 Gun DENSITY............ HsHld Urban Subrbn Rural Safer 45% 29% 29% 41% More dangerous 43 60 62 45 DK/NA 12 11 8 14 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Safer 28% 34% 34% 31% 34% 39% 39% 25% More dangerous 63 55 58 54 54 46 53 64 DK/NA 10 11 8 15 13 15 9 11 33. If a member of Congress who represents your district were to vote for a ban on the sale of assault weapons, would you be more likely to vote for that person, less likely to vote for that person, or wouldn't it make a difference? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk More likely 34% 19% 58% 29% 29% 39% 32% 49% Less likely 32 48 14 32 44 20 33 19 No difference 32 31 25 37 26 37 32 28 DK/NA 2 1 3 2 1 4 2 5 Gun DENSITY............ HsHld Urban Subrbn Rural More likely 23% 39% 38% 23% Less likely 48 27 30 41 No difference 28 31 31 34 DK/NA 1 4 1 2 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ More likely 45% 31% 34% 39% 34% 22% 36% 39% Less likely 28 33 28 40 32 32 37 28 No difference 26 34 35 21 33 43 25 31 DK/NA 1 3 3 - - 3 1 2 34. Who do you think better reflects your views on guns, President Obama or the National Rifle Association? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Obama 40% 10% 72% 37% 37% 43% 35% 81% NRA 49 82 18 51 55 43 55 8 BOTH (VOL) 1 - - 1 - 1 1 - NEITHER (VOL) 5 4 3 5 5 4 4 3 DK/NA 5 3 7 5 2 8 5 8 Gun DENSITY............ HsHld Urban Subrbn Rural Obama 23% 45% 47% 25% NRA 65 44 44 63 BOTH (VOL) 1 1 - 1 NEITHER (VOL) 6 4 5 6 DK/NA 5 6 5 5 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Obama 54% 36% 41% 40% 45% 40% 39% 41% NRA 37 53 48 49 51 49 54 45 BOTH (VOL) 1 - - 1 1 - 1 1 NEITHER (VOL) 5 5 4 6 3 4 4 6 DK/NA 3 6 8 3 - 7 2 7 Demographic Summary
