Connecticut (CT) Poll * November 24, 2004 * Connecticut Voters Feel Good A - Quinnipiac University

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November 24, 2004 - Connecticut Voters Feel Good About State, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Back Millionaire's Tax Almost 4 - 1

A total of 66 percent of Connecticut voters are satisfied with the way things are going in the state, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. The economy is "excellent" or "good," 53 percent of voters say, and 31 percent say the economy will get better in the next year, with 52 percent who say it will remain the same.
Forty percent of voters say they are better off than they were a year ago, with 32 percent saying they are worse off and 26 percent saying they are the same.
In an open-ended question, where respondents can give any answer, 30 percent listed the economy, especially jobs, as the most important problem facing Connecticut today, followed by 18 percent who list taxes. No other issue exceeds 7 percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.
"Connecticut voters are in a pretty good mood right now. Two-thirds are satisfied with the way things are going in the state - the highest level in nearly two years," said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D.
"People's perceptions about the economy have improved. Fifty-three percent of voters rate the state's economy positively, compared to only 42 percent in June."
To balance the state budget next year, Connecticut voters support 77 - 20 percent raising the state income tax for residents who earn more than $1 million per year. Democrats support this 'millionaire's tax' 86 - 12 percent, as Republicans support it 63 - 35 percent and independent voters support it 80 - 17 percent.
But looking at taxes in general, voters say 52 - 33 percent that they would rather cut services than raise taxes to balance the budget.
"While voters almost always opt for lower taxes, they have no problem raising taxes on millionaires, unless they are millionaires," Dr. Schwartz said.
"Even Republicans back the so-called 'millionaire's tax.'"
From November 15 - 21 Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,774 Connecticut registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.3 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and the nation as a public service and for research.
For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu and quicklinks
TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Connecticut today? Very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
Very Smwht Smwht Very sat sat dis dis DK/NA Nov 24, 2004 8 58 23 10 1 Aug 19, 2004 7 50 29 12 3 Jun 30, 2004 3 48 31 16 2 Jun 4, 2004 3 43 36 18 1 Nov 21, 2003 4 43 33 19 1 Oct 9, 2003 4 38 34 23 1 Jul 31, 2003 4 34 37 24 1 Apr 30, 2003 4 40 38 18 1 Mar 13, 2003 4 32 34 29 1 Oct 2, 2002 10 57 24 8 1 Jul 31, 2002 7 58 26 8 1 May 23, 2002 9 62 21 7 1 Feb 14, 2002 11 63 21 5 1 Dec 19, 2001 14 63 18 3 1 Feb 22, 2001 13 60 20 6 1 Oct 21, 1998 21 62 14 3 - Oct 1, 1998 20 61 14 4 1 Jun 24, 1998 14 61 17 6 1 Apr 1, 1998 14 59 19 6 1 Feb 18, 1998 14 60 20 6 1 Nov 19, 1997 7 54 28 10 1 Oct 8, 1997 8 52 28 12 1 Apr 24, 1995 4 35 40 20 1
TREND: What do you think is the most important problem facing Connecticut today? (* Preceded by same question accepting up to 3 responses) (Percentages do not add to 100% as only the most frequently cited problems are reported in this table.)
Crime Educ Econ Taxes Welfare Budget Trans Nov 24, 2004 1 7 30 18 - 7 5 Mar 13, 2003 2 4 33 15 - 27 2 Oct 2, 2002 2 12 26 17 1 10 5 May 23, 2002 3 14 19 21 - 10 5 Feb 22, 2001 3 20 14 23 1 2 10 Oct 1, 1998 * 6 21 17 18 5 1 1 Apr 1, 1998 * 11 15 26 18 3 Feb 18, 1998 * 9 15 30 23 2 Nov 19, 1997 * 7 12 34 23 2 Feb 25, 1997 6 10 29 34 2 Jul 8, 1996 10 5 45 17 5 Apr 24, 1995 13 4 50 15 5 Aug 23, 1994 25 4 45 10 3
TREND: Would you describe the state of Connecticut's economy these days as: Excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Not so Exlnt Good good Poor DK/NA Nov 24, 2004 2 51 36 8 3 Jun 4, 2004 1 41 42 14 2 Nov 21, 2003 2 37 43 18 1 Oct 9, 2003 1 29 47 22 1 Jul 31, 2003 1 28 47 23 1 Mar 13, 2003 1 22 50 26 1 Dec 20, 2001 3 51 38 7 1
22. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Connecticut today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very satisfied 8% 14% 7% 5% 8% 8% Smwht satisfied 58 64 51 61 58 59 Smwht dissatisfied 23 16 28 23 23 23 Very dissatisfied 10 5 12 10 10 10 DK/NA 1 - 1 1 1 -
23. What do you think is the most important problem facing Connecticut today?
Tot Economy total 30% Economy general 5 Unemployment/jobs 20 Cost of living 2 Businesses/Jobs leaving 3 Taxes total 18% Taxes general 9 Property tax 5 State Income Tax 4 Budget/Spending total 7% Budget general 2 Budget deficits 3 Gov too big/Gov spending 1 Budget priorities 1 Education total 7% Education general 3 Funding education 4 Politicians/Campaigns total 6% Politicians/Campaigns general 2 Political corruption 4 Transportation/DMVtotal 5% Lack of quality mass trans/ Public transportation 1 Highway traffic/congestion 2 Poor condition of roads/highways 1 Transportation other 1 Healthcare total 5% Healthcare/Costs/Insurance/HMO's 3 Prescription costs 1 Medicare 1 Crime/Violence general 1 Environment/Pollution 1 Housing Costs/Availability 1 Lack of ethics/Morality 1 Open space/Urban sprawl/ Overdevelopment 1 Poverty/Homelessness 1 Other 6 DK/NA 7
24. Would you describe the state of Connecticut's economy these days as: Excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Excellent 2% 4% 2% 2% 3% 1% Good 51 64 47 48 55 47 Not so good 36 26 40 37 30 40 Poor 8 3 9 10 9 8 DK/NA 3 4 3 2 3 3
25. During the next 12 months, do you think the economic conditions in Connecticut will get better, get worse, or stay about the same?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Get better 31% 47% 24% 27% 33% 29% Get worse 14 5 21 14 13 15 Stay the same 52 45 52 55 51 52 DK/NA 3 2 3 3 3 3
26. Would you say that you are better off or worse off financially than you were a year ago?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Better off 40% 55% 35% 35% 46% 35% Worse off 32 17 41 33 28 35 SAME(VOL) 26 26 23 31 24 29 DK/NA 1 2 1 1 2 1
27. To balance the state budget next year, if you had to choose, would you prefer raising taxes or Cutting government programs and services?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Raising taxes 33% 19% 46% 30% 27% 37% Cutting services 52 68 38 54 62 43 DK/NA 16 13 16 16 11 20
28. To help balance the state budget next year, would you support or oppose raising the income tax for state residents who earn more than a million dollars?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 77% 63% 86% 80% 74% 81% Oppose 20 35 12 17 23 16 DK/NA 3 2 2 4 3 3