New Jersey (NJ) Poll * February 28, 2007 * New Jersey Governor's Approval - Quinnipiac University

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February 28, 2007 - New Jersey Governor's Approval Inches Up To New High, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Concern For Property Tax Also At New High

New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine's approval rating among registered voters has jumped eight points in the last five weeks, to 50 - 34 percent, his highest marks so far, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
This compares to a split 42 - 42 percent approval rating in a January 24 poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University. Gov. Corzine's previous high mark was 49 - 32 percent in a December 7 poll. Voters give Corzine mixed reviews on his handling of a number of issues, and negative marks on his handling of tax issues, but they approve 2 - 1 the property tax reduction plan approved by the Legislature with the Governor's backing.
But 62 percent of voters say things have "stayed about the same" in New Jersey since Corzine became Governor 14 months ago, with 20 percent who say things have gotten better and 15 percent who say things have gotten worse.
"Even though they give Gov. Corzine mixed reviews, New Jersey voters seem to forgive him for raising the state sales tax now that they see the money is going into property tax reduction," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"Corzine campaigned for office promising property tax cuts and the voters are beginning to see he has delivered on that promise."
Voters disapprove 56 - 34 percent of the way Corzine is handling taxes generally and disapprove 57 - 33 percent of the way he is handling property taxes. On other issues:
Voters approve 42 - 40 percent of Corzine's handling of the state budget; Approve 39 - 35 percent of his handling of education; Approve 45 - 35 percent of his handling of the economy and jobs; Approve 42 - 23 percent of his handling of the environment; Disapprove 38 - 25 percent of his handling of overdevelopment and sprawl.
"New Jersey voters are unhappy about Gov. Corzine's handling of taxes, property taxes in particular," Richards added. "But the State Legislature is doing worse as voters disapprove 68 - 16 percent of the way lawmakers are handling property taxes.
In an open-ended question, where voters can give any answer, 56 percent list taxes as the most important problem facing New Jersey, with 42 percent specifying property taxes, the highest mark for this issue in any Quinnipiac University poll in any state.
Voters approve 66 - 27 percent of the plan passed by the Legislature to give property owners rebates of up to 20 percent. This is the right amount, 46 percent say, while 37 percent say it's too little and 9 percent say it's too much.
Voters also support 61 - 30 percent the Legislature's bill for a 4 percent annual cap on property tax increases. But only 58 percent of those supporters, or 35 percent of all voters, back the cap if it means cuts in services such as public safety and trash collection.
Voters split 48 - 46 percent on whether public employees should be required to pay more for health insurance and retirement benefits.
State legislators should not be allowed to hold other government positions, New Jersey voters say 79 - 17 percent. Legislators who already have another government job should be required to give up one of the jobs, voters say 68 - 27 percent.
From February 20 - 25, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,302 New Jersey voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and nationally as a public service and for research. For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x271.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.
11. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jon Corzine is handling his job as Governor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 50% 36% 70% 45% 51% 48% Disapprove 34 52 14 39 35 33 DK/NA 16 12 16 16 14 18 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 63% 57% 40% 44% 44% Disapprove 22 25 45 39 43 DK/NA 15 18 15 18 13
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jon Corzine is handling his job as Governor?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Feb 28 Jan 24 Dec 7 Sep 20 Jul 14 Feb 28 Apr 26 2007 2007 2006 2006 2006 2007 2006 Approve 50 42 49 45 44 50 35 Disapprove 34 42 32 36 43 34 42 DK/NA 16 16 19 19 13 16 23
12. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 31% 20% 46% 25% 28% 34% Disapprove 52 67 36 58 58 47 DK/NA 17 13 19 16 14 19 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 35% 36% 24% 26% 31% Disapprove 48 46 60 56 56 DK/NA 18 18 16 17 13
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Feb 28 Jan 24 Dec 7 Sep 20 Jul 14 Jan 26 Jul 14 2007 2007 2006 2006 2006 2005 2006 Approve 31 27 31 27 20 44 20 Disapprove 52 54 50 55 71 31 71 DK/NA 17 19 19 18 10 25 10
13. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Frank Lautenberg is handling his job as United States Senator?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 40% 26% 56% 37% 40% 40% Disapprove 32 45 14 38 39 25 DK/NA 28 29 30 25 21 35 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 37% 46% 34% 37% 41% Disapprove 30 27 40 34 31 DK/NA 34 27 25 29 27
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Frank Lautenberg is handling his job as United States Senator? * - also 55% on 9/23/1999 & 7/22/1999
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Feb 28 Jan 25 Dec 7 Jun 15 Apr 27 Jul 27 Feb 28 2007 2007 2006 2006 2006 2000 * 2007 Approve 40 44 44 44 43 55 40 Disapprove 32 32 33 34 32 22 32 DK/NA 28 24 23 21 25 23 28
14. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Robert Menendez is handling his job as United States Senator?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 34% 20% 57% 25% 34% 33% Disapprove 35 50 16 42 41 30 DK/NA 31 30 27 33 24 37 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 47% 35% 28% 32% 30% Disapprove 28 35 45 26 41 DK/NA 25 30 26 43 29
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Robert Menendez is handling his job as United States Senator? * also 39% on 3/20/06
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Feb 28 Jan 25 Dec 7 Sep 20 Jul 17 Dec 7 Jul 17 2007 2007 2006 2006 2006 2006 * 2006 Approve 34 36 39 34 31 39 31 Disapprove 35 33 37 31 30 37 30 DK/NA 31 31 24 35 39 24 39
17. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New Jersey today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very satisfied 3% 3% 3% 3% 4% 2% Smwht satisfied 37 31 48 34 35 39 Smwht dissatisfied 34 37 32 32 34 34 Very dissatisfied 25 29 17 30 26 25 DK/NA 1 - 1 1 2 - Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Very satisfied 3% 3% 4% 2% 2% Smwht satisfied 45 39 35 34 33 Smwht dissatisfied 26 37 38 33 30 Very dissatisfied 24 20 23 30 32 DK/NA 2 1 1 - 2
TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New Jersey today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
Feb 28 Dec 6 Jun 16 Apr 26 Mar 16 Jan 26 Aug 10 2007 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 Very satisfied 3 2 3 3 3 3 4 Smwht satisfied 37 34 27 33 44 39 41 Smwht dissatisfied 34 38 37 31 31 33 30 Very dissatisfied 25 25 32 33 20 23 23 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
18. Since Jon Corzine became Governor, do you feel that things in New Jersey have gotten better, gotten worse, or stayed about the same?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Better 20% 10% 28% 20% 21% 19% Worse 15 23 8 16 14 17 The same 62 66 60 62 64 60 DK/NA 3 1 4 2 - 5 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Better 27% 25% 16% 13% 17% Worse 12 11 26 15 16 The same 57 61 57 70 64 DK/NA 5 2 1 2 4
19. What do you think is the most important problem facing New Jersey today?
Tot Taxes Total 56% Taxes general 14 Property tax 42 Education Total 6% Education general 2 Teachers 1 Funding education 2 Education other 1 Political corruption 6% Economy Total 5% Economy general 1 Unemployment/jobs 2 Cost of living 2 Budget Total 4% Budget general 1 Budget deficits 1 Gov too big/Gov spending 1 Budget priorities 1 Healthcare/Costs/Ins/ HMO's 3% Crime/Violence general 1 Housing Costs/ Availability 1 Environment/Pollution 1 Open space/Urban sprawl/ Overdevelopment 1 Poor conditions roads/highways 1 Auto insurance 1 Immigration 1 Other 4 DK/NA 4
TREND: What do you think is the most important problem facing New Jersey today?
Feb 28 Dec 6 Jun 16 Apr 26 Mar 16 2007 2006 2006 2006 2006 Budget/Spending Total 4% 3% 7% 7% 10% Budget general 1 1 3 3 4 Budget deficits 1 1 2 2 4 Government too big/Gov spending 1 1 1 1 1 Budget priorities 1 - 1 1 1 Crime Total 1% 4% 4% 1% 4% Crime/Violence general 1 2 1 1 2 Gangs/Youth crime - 1 2 - 1 Drugs - 1 1 - 1 Economy Total 5% 6% 7% 7% 5% Economy general 1 - 2 2 1 Unemployment/jobs 2 3 2 2 2 Minimum wage too low - 1 1 - - Cost of living 2 2 2 3 2 Education Total 6% 5% 6% 7% 6% Education general 2 3 3 4 4 Teachers 1 - - - - Funding education 2 2 2 3 2 Education other 1 - 1 - - Environment/Pollution 1 1 3 2 2 Gas prices - - 1 3 1 Healthcare Total 3% 2% 3% 2% 3% Healthcare/Costs/Insurance/HMO's 3 2 2 2 3 Medicare - - 1 - - Politicians/Campaigns Total 6% 8% 7% 8% 7% Politicians/Campaigns general - 1 1 1 1 Political corruption 6 6 6 6 5 Governor/State leadership - 1 - 1 1 Taxes Total 56% 53% 46% 41% 38% Taxes general 14 15 19 20 14 Property tax 42 38 26 21 24 Gas tax - - 1 - - Other 4 3 3 5 4 DK/NA 4 2 3 5 3
20. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jon Corzine is handling - the state budget?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 42% 30% 55% 40% 47% 37% Disapprove 40 54 26 42 40 40 DK/NA 18 17 18 18 13 22 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 48% 48% 36% 34% 41% Disapprove 35 33 46 48 43 DK/NA 18 18 18 18 16
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jon Corzine is handling the state budget?
Feb 28 Jul 14 Jun 16 Apr 26 Mar 16 2007 2006 2006 2006 2006 Approve 42 47 39 31 32 Disapprove 40 46 45 46 24 DK/NA 18 7 17 23 44
21. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jon Corzine is handling - education?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 39% 31% 52% 34% 41% 37% Disapprove 35 42 24 40 35 36 DK/NA 26 27 24 25 25 27 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 42% 42% 31% 35% 42% Disapprove 36 32 36 39 37 DK/NA 22 26 33 26 21
22. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jon Corzine is handling - the economy and jobs?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 45% 35% 57% 43% 48% 43% Disapprove 35 48 23 37 34 36 DK/NA 20 17 20 20 18 21 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 51% 53% 37% 36% 45% Disapprove 35 27 37 46 36 DK/NA 13 20 26 18 19
23. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jon Corzine is handling - the environment?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 42% 40% 50% 37% 44% 39% Disapprove 23 24 17 28 24 23 DK/NA 35 36 33 35 32 38 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 48% 44% 39% 34% 44% Disapprove 26 22 23 28 21 DK/NA 26 35 38 39 35
24. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jon Corzine is handling - taxes?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 34% 23% 45% 33% 38% 30% Disapprove 56 69 43 58 54 58 DK/NA 10 8 12 9 8 12 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 41% 39% 29% 28% 29% Disapprove 50 48 61 61 64 DK/NA 9 12 10 11 7
25. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jon Corzine is handling - overdevelopment and sprawl?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 25% 25% 31% 21% 31% 20% Disapprove 38 41 32 42 37 40 DK/NA 36 34 37 36 32 40 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 33% 26% 22% 24% 21% Disapprove 37 35 43 33 47 DK/NA 30 39 35 42 32
26. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Governor Corzine is handling - property taxes?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 33% 23% 43% 32% 36% 30% Disapprove 57 69 47 58 55 59 DK/NA 10 9 11 10 9 11 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 37% 38% 28% 27% 32% Disapprove 52 50 62 64 63 DK/NA 11 13 10 8 5
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Governor Corzine is handling property taxes?
Feb 28 Jan 24 2007 2007 Approve 33 30 Disapprove 57 51 DK/NA 10 19
27. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling property taxes?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 16% 11% 22% 14% 17% 15% Disapprove 68 77 58 71 68 67 DK/NA 16 12 20 16 14 18 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 11% 20% 13% 15% 18% Disapprove 67 60 72 74 71 DK/NA 23 20 15 11 11
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling property taxes?
Feb 28 Jan 24 2007 2007 Approve 16 16 Disapprove 68 62 DK/NA 16 22
28. The State Legislature has recently passed a property tax credit plan that is intended to lower property taxes by as much as 20 percent. In general do you approve or disapprove of this plan?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 66% 59% 77% 60% 64% 67% Disapprove 27 34 15 33 30 24 DK/NA 7 7 8 6 6 8 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 71% 69% 58% 68% 61% Disapprove 20 25 34 24 32 DK/NA 9 6 8 8 7 HOMEOWNERS <65yrs EARNING... <100k 100-150 >150k Approve 71% 62% 51% Disapprove 23 33 42 DK/NA 6 5 6
29. The property tax plan will eliminate property tax rebates for all but senior citizens and in return give a property tax credit of up to 20 percent to most New Jersey homeowners. Do you think a 20 percent property tax cut is too much, too little, or about the right amount?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Too much 9% 12% 6% 9% 10% 8% Too little 37 42 30 40 36 37 Right amount 46 40 55 41 46 46 DK/NA 8 6 8 10 8 8 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Too much 11% 7% 11% 9% 10% Too little 42 33 38 39 36 Right amount 39 52 40 44 47 DK/NA 7 8 10 9 7 HOMEOWNERS <65yrs EARNING... <100k 100-150 >150k Too much 6% 11% 15% Too little 42 38 32 Right amount 47 46 41 DK/NA 5 5 12
TREND: The property tax plan * will * eliminate property tax rebates for all but senior citizens and in return give a property tax credit of up to 20 percent to most New Jersey homeowners. Do you think a 20 percent property tax cut is too much, too little, or about the right amount? * 1/24/07 wording - "now being considered would"
Feb 28 Jan 24 2007 2007 Too much 9 10 Too little 37 29 Right amount 46 49 DK/NA 8 12
30. The New Jersey State Legislature has approved a four percent annual cap on property tax increases. Do you support or oppose a four percent annual property tax cap?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 61% 65% 62% 60% 64% 59% Oppose 30 29 28 32 31 30 DK/NA 8 6 10 8 5 11 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Support 60% 64% 65% 58% 58% Oppose 31 28 29 32 35 DK/NA 9 9 6 10 7 HOMEOWNERS <65yrs EARNING... <100k 100-150 >150k Support 64% 66% 64% Oppose 32 30 32 DK/NA 5 4 4
TREND: The New Jersey State Legislature * has approved * a four percent annual cap on property tax increases. Do you support or oppose a four percent annual property tax cap? * 1/24/07 wording - " is proposing"
Feb 28 Jan 24 2007 2007 Support 61 54 Oppose 30 34 DK/NA 8 12
31. (If 'support' q30) Some mayors and other officials say that a four percent cap would lead to lay offs and cuts in services like public safety and trash pick ups. Would you support or oppose a 4 percent cap if it led to these cuts?
IF SUPPORT CAP Q30......................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 58% 65% 51% 63% 63% 53% Oppose 38 30 45 32 33 42 DK/NA 4 5 4 4 4 5 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Support 54% 54% 71% 50% 63% Oppose 43 43 24 45 32 DK/NA 4 3 5 5 5
TREND: (If support) Some mayors and other officials say that a four percent cap * will * lead to lay offs and cuts in services like public safety and trash pick ups. Would you support or oppose a 4 percent cap if it led to these cuts? * 1/24/07 wording - "would"
IF SUPPORT.... Feb 28 Jan 24 2007 2007 Support 58 53 Oppose 38 41 DK/NA 4 6
32. Do you support or oppose selling or leasing the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway as a way of reducing New Jersey's debt and possibly providing money for tax relief?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 34% 34% 38% 30% 29% 38% Oppose 56 56 52 61 63 50 DK/NA 10 10 10 9 8 12 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Support 37% 30% 32% 42% 29% Oppose 53 60 57 44 64 DK/NA 10 10 10 13 7
TREND: Do you support or oppose selling or leasing the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway as a way of reducing New Jersey's debt and possibly providing money for tax relief?
Feb 28 Jan 24 2007 2007 Support 34 34 Oppose 56 53 DK/NA 10 12
33. As part of the overall plan to cut budget expenses in New Jersey, do you support or oppose requiring public employees to pay a higher portion of their health insurance plans and accept a reduction in future retirement benefits?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 48% 59% 39% 51% 54% 42% Oppose 46 36 55 42 41 51 DK/NA 6 4 7 7 5 7 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Support 42% 47% 62% 41% 47% Oppose 49 47 32 54 48 DK/NA 8 5 7 5 5
TREND: As part of the overall plan to cut budget expenses in New Jersey, do you support or oppose requiring public employees to pay a higher proportion of their health insurance plans and accept a reduction in future retirement benefits?
Feb 28 Jan 24 2007 2007 Support 48 46 Oppose 46 46 DK/NA 6 8
34. Some members of the New Jersey legislature hold other government jobs as well. While serving as legislators some also work as local council members, mayors and freeholders. Do you think that New Jersey state legislators should be allowed to hold other government jobs while they are serving in the legislature or do you think they should not be able to?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Should be allowed 17% 17% 22% 14% 16% 18% Should not be 79 79 75 83 80 78 DK/NA 4 4 4 3 3 5 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Should be allowed 27% 15% 13% 16% 19% Should not be 69 80 85 80 78 DK/NA 5 5 2 4 3
35. Eighteen members of the New Jersey legislature currently hold other government jobs as well. If members of the legislature are prohibited from holding another government job while serving on the legislature, should these 18 members be grandfathered in and allowed to serve in both positions or should they have to leave one job?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Allowed both 27% 30% 33% 21% 26% 28% Leave one job 68 66 60 76 70 65 DK/NA 5 4 7 3 4 7 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Allowed both 31% 30% 28% 19% 25% Leave one job 67 63 67 74 72 DK/NA 3 7 5 6 3