New Jersey (NJ) Poll * March 11, 2009 * Nj Voters Split On Dropping Ta - Quinnipiac University

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March 11, 2009 - Nj Voters Split On Dropping Tax Rebate, Furloughs, Quinnipiac University New Jersey Poll Finds; Big Support For Tax Hike On Upper Incomes

Word format New Jersey voters split 47 - 48 percent on whether they support or oppose reducing or eliminating the property tax rebate for residents except the elderly and disabled, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
The strongest opposition to eliminating or cutting the rebates comes from lower income voters, whose rebates are protected by Gov. Jon Corzine's proposal. Support for eliminating/ cutting the rebate grows as income grows, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Democrats split 48 - 48 percent as Republicans oppose the cut 51 - 42 percent and independent voters back the cut 51 - 45 percent.
Voters 18 to 34 years old oppose the rebate cut 61 - 32 percent, while voters 35 to 54 oppose it 53 - 45 percent. But voters over 55, many of whom would keep their rebates, support the cuts 56 - 38 percent.
New Jersey voters support 64 - 33 percent raising taxes on those making more than $250,000 a year. Voters making more than $250,000 per year oppose the measure 66 - 33 percent, but voters in all other income groups support it.
The tax hike wins 86 - 12 percent support from Democrats and 63 - 33 percent support from independent voters, with Republicans opposing it 64 - 35 percent.
"One of the most controversial budget proposals, reducing or eliminating property tax rebates for most residents except the elderly and disabled, divides the voters right down the middle, not only overall but by political party as well," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Perhaps this cow is not so sacred after all."
"Higher income voters, who would lose their rebates, tend to support the proposal, probably because it's such a small part of their income," Richards added.
"Raising taxes on those making more than $250,000 a year gets a nearly 2 to 1 vote of support, except from those who would have to pay the piper."
New Jersey voters split 47 - 47 percent on a proposal to make state workers take off 12 days without pay over the next 12 months. Furloughs are supported by Republicans 53 - 42 percent and independent voters 49 - 46 percent, but Democrats oppose the proposal 53 - 41 percent. Voters making less than $50,000 split 46 - 47 percent, while voters in the $50,000 to $100,000 category oppose furloughs 51 - 45 percent. Voters making more than $100,000 support the idea 50 - 47 percent.
"New Jersey voters split right down the middle on making state workers take 12 days off without pay over the next year, with the strongest opposition in the $50,000 to $100,000 range, the range that covers most government workers," Richards said.
By a 65 - 32 percent margin, voters support raising taxes on wine and liquor, with support across the political spectrum and among all age and income groups.
There's even greater support, 75 - 23 percent, for raising cigarette taxes, also with backing from all groups.
"The so-called sin taxes are the easy ones. Most voters say raise taxes on cigarettes, probably because most voters don't smoke. Raising taxes on wine and liquor is also a 2 to 1 winner," Richards said.
From March 4 - 9, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,386 New Jersey registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.6 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.
11. 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 61% 22% 94% 57% 55% 66% 54% 95% Disapprove 28 64 3 28 33 25 33 3 DK/NA 11 13 4 15 12 10 13 1 Philly NoColl College Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Degree Degree Approve 72% 61% 63% 61% 54% 59% 64% Disapprove 19 26 27 28 37 29 27 DK/NA 9 13 9 11 9 12 9 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... 50- 100- AGE IN YRS....... <50k 100k 250k >250k 18-34 35-54 55+ Approve 70% 58% 63% 43% 66% 62% 58% Disapprove 21 30 29 45 25 28 30 DK/NA 9 12 8 12 9 9 12
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President?
Mar 11 Feb 5 2009 2009 Approve 61 65 Disapprove 28 16 DK/NA 11 19
12. 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 Wht Blk Very satisfied 2% - 5% 1% 2% 2% 2% - Smwht satisfied 32 13 48 31 29 35 29 51 Smwht dissatisfied 30 28 33 29 28 32 30 29 Very dissatisfied 35 59 12 38 40 31 39 19 DK/NA 1 - 1 1 1 1 1 1 Philly NoColl College Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Degree Degree Very satisfied - 4% 1% 4% 1% 2% 2% Smwht satisfied 48 35 27 30 23 31 33 Smwht dissatisfied 30 30 31 31 31 29 32 Very dissatisfied 22 30 41 34 46 36 32 DK/NA - 1 1 1 - 1 1 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... 50- 100- AGE IN YRS....... <50k 100k 250k >250k 18-34 35-54 55+ Very satisfied 2% 1% 3% 7% 4% 2% 2% Smwht satisfied 36 31 29 29 45 29 30 Smwht dissatisfied 31 28 33 27 25 31 30 Very dissatisfied 30 40 34 37 25 37 36 DK/NA 1 1 - - 1 - 1
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? (*Very + Smwht also 71% on 02/12/1999)
VERY+SMWHT.... High Low Mar 11 Feb 4 Sep 17 Aug 12 Jun 11 Dec 26 Jun 16 2009 2009 2008 2008 2008 2000* 2006 Very satisfied 2 2 3 2 3 10 3 Smwht satisfied 32 29 32 30 29 61 27 Smwht dissatisfied 30 36 36 35 35 21 37 Very dissatisfied 35 32 29 32 33 7 32 DK/NA 1 1 - 1 1 1 1
16. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the economy?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 57% 18% 89% 51% 51% 61% 49% 90% Disapprove 32 68 4 34 36 28 38 5 DK/NA 12 14 6 15 13 10 13 5 Philly NoColl College Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Degree Degree Approve 68% 59% 55% 55% 49% 56% 58% Disapprove 19 30 32 34 40 32 31 DK/NA 13 11 13 11 11 12 11 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... 50- 100- AGE IN YRS....... <50k 100k 250k >250k 18-34 35-54 55+ Approve 67% 54% 55% 46% 61% 57% 56% Disapprove 23 33 34 47 26 34 32 DK/NA 10 13 10 7 13 9 12
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the economy?
Mar 11 Feb 5 2009 2009 Approve 57 59 Disapprove 32 21 DK/NA 12 20
17. Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as - excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Excellent - - - - - - - - Good 2 - 3 1 1 2 1 4 Not so good 24 24 27 20 24 24 23 31 Poor 74 75 69 79 75 73 76 64 DK/NA - - - - - - - - Philly NoColl College Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Degree Degree Excellent 1% - - - - - - Good 3 2 - 3 - 2 1 Not so good 30 24 29 20 20 26 21 Poor 66 74 70 76 79 72 78 DK/NA - - - - - - - ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... 50- 100- AGE IN YRS....... <50k 100k 250k >250k 18-34 35-54 55+ Excellent - - - - - - - Good 2 - 2 - 1 2 2 Not so good 31 21 22 19 36 20 23 Poor 66 79 76 81 63 78 75 DK/NA - - - - - - -
TREND: Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as - excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Mar 11 Feb 5 Feb 21 Sep 21 Aug 5 Jun 23 Oct 18 2009 2009 2008 2004 2004 2004 2001 Excellent - 1 1 2 2 3 1 Good 2 2 15 38 40 38 39 Not so good 24 27 45 39 40 44 50 Poor 74 70 38 20 17 14 10 DK/NA - - 1 1 1 1 1
18. Do you think the nation's economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Better 5% 3% 10% 3% 3% 7% 4% 7% Worse 67 77 55 72 72 63 69 53 The same 27 21 34 24 24 29 26 38 DK/NA 1 - 1 1 1 1 1 2 Philly NoColl College Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Degree Degree Better 7% 3% 6% 6% 6% 5% 4% Worse 70 68 71 59 69 64 71 The same 23 28 22 34 24 29 23 DK/NA - 1 1 - 2 1 1 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... 50- 100- AGE IN YRS....... <50k 100k 250k >250k 18-34 35-54 55+ Better 6% 3% 6% 5% 6% 4% 5% Worse 59 71 71 75 56 73 66 The same 34 25 23 20 38 22 28 DK/NA 1 1 - - - 1 1
19. Would you describe the state of New Jersey's economy these days as - excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Excellent - - - - - - - - Good 8 2 12 7 8 8 7 7 Not so good 43 41 49 38 39 46 39 58 Poor 48 56 39 53 52 45 53 33 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 Philly NoColl College Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Degree Degree Excellent - - - - - - - Good 13 8 4 11 4 9 6 Not so good 47 46 46 34 39 42 45 Poor 37 44 49 53 57 48 48 DK/NA 2 1 - 2 - 1 1 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... 50- 100- AGE IN YRS....... <50k 100k 250k >250k 18-34 35-54 55+ Excellent - - - - - - - Good 10 6 8 7 12 6 8 Not so good 47 42 41 30 47 45 39 Poor 42 52 50 64 39 48 52 DK/NA 1 1 1 - 1 1 1
TREND: Would you describe the state of New Jersey's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
EXCLNT+GOOD... High Low Mar 11 Feb 5 Jun 16 Apr 26 Mar 16 Oct 18 Feb 5 2009 2009 2006 2006 2006 2001 2009 Excellent - - 3 2 3 3 - Good 8 7 42 34 47 54 7 Not so good 43 43 38 39 35 37 43 Poor 48 50 16 22 13 5 50 DK/NA 1 - 2 3 3 2 -
20. Do you think New Jersey's economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Better 3% 1% 5% 2% 3% 3% 1% 5% Worse 61 72 47 67 62 59 64 50 The same 35 27 46 30 34 36 33 41 DK/NA 2 1 3 2 2 2 2 4 Philly NoColl College Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Degree Degree Better 4% 3% 1% 3% 1% 2% 2% Worse 59 57 65 57 68 60 61 The same 34 38 33 37 30 35 35 DK/NA 3 2 1 3 1 2 1 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... 50- 100- AGE IN YRS....... <50k 100k 250k >250k 18-34 35-54 55+ Better 4% 2% 3% 1% 3% 3% 2% Worse 55 66 60 67 46 66 61 The same 39 29 37 31 49 31 34 DK/NA 2 2 1 1 1 1 3
TREND: Would you say that New Jersey's economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same?
Mar 11 Jun 22 2009 2004 Better 3 21 Worse 61 18 Same 35 58 DK/NA 2 2
21. Would you describe the state of your own personal finances these days as - excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Excellent 5% 5% 3% 6% 6% 4% 5% 4% Good 39 41 41 38 43 36 42 30 Not so good 39 42 41 35 35 41 36 50 Poor 15 9 12 20 13 16 15 14 DK/NA 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 Philly NoColl College Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Degree Degree Excellent 5% 4% 6% 5% 5% 3% 7% Good 34 40 44 38 38 34 48 Not so good 42 42 35 38 34 42 33 Poor 18 10 14 17 20 18 10 DK/NA 1 2 1 2 3 3 1 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... 50- 100- AGE IN YRS....... <50k 100k 250k >250k 18-34 35-54 55+ Excellent 3% 2% 9% 15% 7% 5% 4% Good 24 44 52 58 48 39 36 Not so good 44 42 31 24 31 39 41 Poor 28 10 7 3 11 15 18 DK/NA 1 2 1 - 4 2 2 TABLE 091
TREND: Would you describe the state of your own personal finances these days as - excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Mar 11 Feb 4 Nov 20 Oct 8 Apr 12 2009 2009 2008 2001 2001 Excellent 5 4 6 10 8 Good 39 42 49 66 64 Not so good 39 38 30 19 21 Poor 15 15 13 4 6 DK/NA 2 2 1 1 1
22. Do you think your personal finances are getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Better 6% 7% 7% 5% 9% 4% 5% 7% Worse 43 50 35 47 41 45 44 31 The same 49 41 57 47 49 50 48 60 DK/NA 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 Philly NoColl College Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Degree Degree Better 9% 5% 4% 6% 6% 5% 8% Worse 42 44 44 41 45 44 43 The same 48 49 50 52 46 50 48 DK/NA 1 1 2 1 3 2 1 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... 50- 100- AGE IN YRS....... <50k 100k 250k >250k 18-34 35-54 55+ Better 5% 5% 10% 5% 14% 6% 3% Worse 46 45 37 41 19 48 49 The same 49 48 53 55 64 46 47 DK/NA 1 2 - - 4 1 1
29. To help balance the budget do you support or oppose - raising taxes on those making more than $250,000 a year?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 64% 35% 86% 63% 59% 68% 61% 84% Oppose 33 64 12 33 37 30 36 14 DK/NA 3 1 2 5 4 2 3 2 Philly NoColl College Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Degree Degree Support 73% 63% 66% 64% 60% 65% 62% Oppose 24 34 31 33 37 31 37 DK/NA 2 3 3 3 3 4 1 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... 50- 100- AGE IN YRS....... <50k 100k 250k >250k 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 76% 70% 56% 33% 65% 63% 66% Oppose 21 29 43 66 31 36 30 DK/NA 4 1 1 - 4 2 3
30. To help balance the budget do you support or oppose - making state workers take off 12 days without pay over the next 12 months?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 47% 53% 41% 49% 49% 46% 48% 36% Oppose 47 42 53 46 45 49 46 62 DK/NA 6 5 5 5 6 5 5 2 Philly NoColl College Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Degree Degree Support 39% 51% 47% 39% 53% 44% 53% Oppose 57 43 47 54 43 50 43 DK/NA 5 5 6 7 4 6 4 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... 50- 100- AGE IN YRS....... <50k 100k 250k >250k 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 46% 45% 50% 51% 40% 45% 52% Oppose 47 51 48 41 55 51 42 DK/NA 7 4 2 8 6 4 6
31. To help balance the budget do you support or oppose - raising cigarette taxes?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 75% 67% 84% 75% 72% 77% 74% 79% Oppose 23 32 14 23 25 20 24 17 DK/NA 2 1 3 3 2 2 2 4 Philly NoColl College Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Degree Degree Support 78% 76% 77% 71% 75% 72% 80% Oppose 20 23 21 24 22 26 17 DK/NA 2 1 1 5 3 2 2 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... 50- 100- AGE IN YRS....... <50k 100k 250k >250k 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 71% 76% 78% 89% 81% 74% 73% Oppose 26 22 21 7 18 23 24 DK/NA 3 3 1 4 1 3 2
32. To help balance the budget do you support or oppose - raising taxes on wine and liquor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 65% 54% 79% 62% 58% 71% 63% 70% Oppose 32 45 18 36 39 26 35 26 DK/NA 3 1 4 1 3 3 2 4 Philly NoColl College Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Degree Degree Support 64% 66% 63% 63% 68% 63% 69% Oppose 32 32 37 32 30 34 30 DK/NA 4 2 - 4 3 3 2 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... 50- 100- AGE IN YRS....... <50k 100k 250k >250k 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 67% 66% 64% 70% 62% 64% 69% Oppose 29 33 34 28 38 33 28 DK/NA 4 1 2 2 - 3 3
33. To help balance the budget do you support or oppose - reducing or eliminating the property tax rebates for residents except the elderly and disabled?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 47% 42% 48% 51% 50% 45% 50% 35% Oppose 48 51 48 45 44 51 45 62 DK/NA 5 8 3 4 6 4 5 3 Philly NoColl College Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Degree Degree Support 42% 49% 46% 44% 51% 44% 52% Oppose 52 48 48 52 43 50 45 DK/NA 7 4 6 4 6 6 3 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... 50- 100- AGE IN YRS....... <50k 100k 250k >250k 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 41% 45% 49% 70% 32% 45% 56% Oppose 51 52 50 25 61 53 38 DK/NA 8 3 2 5 7 2 6