New York City (NYC) Poll * January 28, 2009 * New Yorkers Split On New Tax F - Quinnipiac University

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January 28, 2009 - New Yorkers Split On New Tax For Subways, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Want Mayor To Keep Control Of Public Schools

Word format New York City voters split 47 - 46 percent in their support of increasing business taxes and using the money to limit the size of increases in bus and subway fares and bridge and tunnel tolls, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. The tax hikes win support of Democrats 51 - 42 percent while Republican voters are opposed 62 - 35 percent and independent voters split 46 - 46 percent.
Black and white voters support the tax hikes by an identical 49 - 44 percent, while Hispanic voters oppose them 51 - 42 percent.
Voters oppose 61 - 36 percent a proposal to place tolls on free East and Harlem River bridges and using the money to reduce the size of transit fares and bridge and tunnel tolls, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.
Opposition is strong across the political spectrum and among black, white and Hispanic voters and in every borough except Manhattan, where voters support tolls 50 - 46 percent.
"If City Hall and Albany must decide how to find the money to limit the size of a transit fare hike, or a jump in bridge and tunnel tolls, New York City voters seem to like a business tax a lot more than establishing still more tolls on bridges that currently are free," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"Support for the tax idea is a tossup. Bridge tolls? Almost two-to-one against. Except, of course in Manhattan. "
New York City voters approve 53 - 35 percent of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's handling of public schools and say 47 - 31 percent that the Mayor's take-over of public schools has been a success. Voters with children in public schools say 50 - 39 percent the takeover is successful.
While voters are dissatisfied, 55 - 32 percent with the quality of public schools citywide, they split 42 - 41 percent on their satisfaction with the quality of schools in their neighborhood. White voters are satisfied 49 - 30 percent with public schools in their neighborhood, while black voters are dissatisfied 60 - 28 percent and Hispanic voters are dissatisfied 49 - 39 percent. Voters with children in public schools are satisfied 52 - 47 percent with their local schools.
Mayoral control of the public schools should continue, voters say 56 - 34 percent. Voters with children in public schools support mayoral control 57 - 39 percent.
"Mayor Bloomberg has fought a tough battle to win and keep control of the public schools, and he finally seems to be winning the hearts and minds of New Yorkers, especially parents of public school students," Carroll said. "New Yorkers think mayoral control of the public schools has worked and that Albany should extend it."
Looking at construction of the new Yankee Stadium, 55 percent of New York City voters agree with critics that the city is giving the Yankees taxpayer dollars for the construction, while 27 percent agree with supporters that the city is approving loans which must be repaid by the Yankees, not giving the Yankees tax dollars.
"Quinnipiac University polls always show we root for the Yankees. Clearly, the love affair doesn't include Yankee management. New Yorkers think the new stadium is getting too much in tax dollars," Carroll said.
Most New Yorkers, 59 percent, support Bloomberg's quality of life crackdown, while 34 percent write it off as a publicity stunt. Support ranges from 69 - 23 percent among white voters to 50 - 40 percent among black voters to 49 - 43 percent among Hispanic voters.
The city is doing a good job cracking down on quality of life offenses, 36 percent say, while 42 percent say it is not doing enough and 18 percent say it is doing too much so it can get more money from fines.
"When Bloomberg promised to get tough on quality-of-life crimes, was it a serious initiative or just political rhetoric? We take Mayor Mike at his word," Carroll said. "Is the city doing enough to curb loud music, littering and pooper-scooper laxity? New Yorkers are split on that but a sizable minority think City Hall's main aim is just to collect more money from fines."
From January 20 - 25, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,216 New York City registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and nationwide as a public service and for research.
14. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New York City today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Very satisfied 8% 12% 7% 8% 10% 3% 7% Smwht satisfied 47 52 46 52 53 45 36 Smwht dissatisfied 30 22 30 30 25 33 35 Very dissatisfied 15 14 16 8 10 19 21 DK/NA 1 - - 1 1 - 1 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Very satisfied 4% 8% 12% 5% 6% 8% 7% Smwht satisfied 41 48 50 47 48 53 42 Smwht dissatisfied 38 27 23 34 38 27 32 Very dissatisfied 17 16 14 14 8 11 18 DK/NA - 1 - - - - 1
TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New York City today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
VERY+SMWHT... High Low Jan 28 Nov 25 Oct 21 Oct 3 Jul 16 Feb 11 Jul 2 2009 2008 2008 2008 2008 1998 2003 Very satisfied 8 6 14 12 9 18 7 Smwht satisfied 47 42 46 48 48 58 23 Smwht dissatisfied 30 32 24 23 26 18 32 Very dissatisfied 15 18 14 16 15 5 38 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
20. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling the city budget?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 55% 56% 53% 64% 63% 44% 51% Disapprove 38 35 41 30 29 51 44 DK/NA 7 8 6 6 8 5 4 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 50% 49% 65% 57% 53% 62% 49% Disapprove 46 42 30 37 44 33 44 DK/NA 5 9 5 6 4 6 7
TREND. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling the city budget?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jan 28 Nov 25 Oct 22 Sep 9 May 7 Jan 28 Sept 9 2009 2008 2003 2003 2003 2009 2003 Approve 55 51% 36 33 28 55 33 Disapprove 38 38 51 59 63 38 59 DK/NA 7 11 13 8 9 7 8
21. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling taxes?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 47% 42% 47% 57% 56% 40% 40% Disapprove 42 46 43 35 34 48 51 DK/NA 11 12 11 8 10 13 9 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 40% 43% 60% 45% 45% 52% 43% Disapprove 48 45 31 44 49 40 44 DK/NA 11 12 9 11 6 8 13
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling taxes?
Jan 28 Nov 25 Oct 22 May 7 Feb 26 2009 2008 2003 2003 2003 Approve 47 45 28 26 32 Disapprove 42 44 61 67 59 DK/NA 11 11 11 7 8
22. Would you describe the state of New York City's economy these days as - excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Excellent 1% 3% 1% - - - 3% Good 14 22 11 17 16 9 12 Not so good 46 39 48 49 49 47 41 Poor 38 34 40 33 34 44 43 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 - 1 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Excellent - 1% 1% - 1% 1% 1% Good 13 11 16 15 15 19 10 Not so good 48 46 49 40 55 48 44 Poor 38 40 33 44 30 31 44 DK/NA - 1 1 1 - 1 1
TREND: Would you describe the state of New York City's economy these days as - excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Jan 28 Nov 25 May 7 Feb 27 2009 2008 2003 2003 Excellent 1 - - 1 Good 14 12 10 13 Not so good 46 56 45 52 Poor 38 30 44 34 DK/NA 1 1 1 1
23. During the next 12 months, do you think the economic conditions in New York City will get better, get worse, or stay about the same?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Get better 29% 29% 31% 25% 20% 40% 35% Get worse 36 31 34 43 43 29 23 Stay the same 33 37 33 30 34 29 40 DK/NA 2 3 2 2 3 2 1 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Get better 42% 31% 22% 28% 22% 26% 32% Get worse 19 36 46 36 34 43 30 Stay the same 38 30 30 31 43 29 36 DK/NA 1 2 1 4 1 2 2
TREND: During the next 12 months, do you think the economic conditions in New York City will get better, get worse, or stay about the same?
Jan 28 Nov 25 May 7 Feb 27 2009 2008 2003 2003 Get better 29 24 23 25 Get worse 36 45 35 32 Stay the same 33 26 38 38 DK/NA 2 5 4 4
24. To balance the city budget, if you had to choose, would you prefer - raising taxes or cutting government programs and services?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Raising taxes 46% 16% 55% 43% 46% 53% 49% Cutting services 39 71 29 48 44 31 33 DK/NA 15 13 17 9 11 16 18 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Raising taxes 49% 49% 51% 42% 29% 41% 51% Cutting services 35 35 36 43 62 48 32 DK/NA 16 16 13 15 9 11 17
TREND: To balance the city budget, if you had to choose, would you prefer - raising taxes or cutting government programs and services?
Jan 28 Nov 25 2009 2008 Raising taxes 46 48 Cutting services 39 37 DK/NA 15 15
25. To balance the city budget, if you had to choose, which city tax do you think should be increased - personal income tax, sales tax or property tax?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Income tax 22% 19% 24% 20% 25% 18% 21% Sales tax 43 46 43 43 38 57 42 Property tax 24 22 24 27 25 18 26 DK/NA 10 13 9 10 12 7 10 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Income tax 23% 21% 24% 20% 28% 22% 22% Sales tax 46 43 37 47 47 43 44 Property tax 21 26 32 21 12 26 23 DK/NA 10 10 8 12 12 8 12
TREND: To balance the city budget, if you had to choose, which city tax do you think should be increased - personal income tax, sales tax or property tax?
Jan 28 Nov 25 2009 2008 Income tax 22 21 Sales tax 43 44 Property tax 24 24 DK/NA 10 11
26. How serious do you think New York City's budget problems are - very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious or not at all serious?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Very serious 64% 54% 66% 66% 60% 72% 64% Smwht serious 31 41 30 29 36 24 30 Not too serious 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 Not at all serious 1 - 1 2 - 1 2 DK/NA 1 2 1 1 1 - - Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Very serious 62% 67% 64% 67% 49% 59% 69% Smwht serious 29 28 33 30 46 35 28 Not too serious 6 3 1 2 3 4 2 Not at all serious 3 - 2 - 2 2 0 DK/NA - 1 1 2 - 1 1
TREND: How serious do you think New York City's budget problems are - very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious, not at all serious?
Jan 28 Nov 25 May 7 Feb 27 Nov 21 Jul 17 2009 2008 2003 2003 2002 2002 Very serious 64 66 68 63 60 46 Smwht serious 31 28 24 29 29 41 Not too serious 3 3 4 5 7 9 Not at all serious 1 1 1 1 2 1 DK/NA 1 2 3 2 2 3
27. To balance the city budget, if you had to choose, where do you think city spending should be decreased - public schools, police, firefighters, sanitation, social services or culture and recreation?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Public schools 7% 16% 6% 7% 6% 7% 12% Police 6 4 7 6 4 10 9 Firefighters 2 - 2 - - 2 4 Sanitation 8 4 9 5 7 10 5 Social services 12 22 8 11 13 10 9 Culture/recreation 50 48 49 56 54 42 49 DK/NA 16 5 19 14 16 19 13 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Public schools 14% 8% 4% 7% 2% 9% 6% Police 6 5 8 7 4 7 6 Firefighters 1 1 4 1 - 2 1 Sanitation 6 9 7 7 9 5 10 Social services 10 10 10 13 25 14 9 Culture/recreation 46 50 51 50 49 50 49 DK/NA 16 17 16 15 10 13 18
TREND: To balance the city budget, if you had to choose, where do you think city spending should be decreased - public schools, police, firefighters, sanitation, social services or culture and recreation?
Jan 28 Nov 25 May 7 2009 2008 2008 Public schools 7 3 4 Police 6 7 6 Firefighters 2 3 2 Sanitation 8 6 8 Social Services 12 12 14 Culture/recreation 50 51 42 DK/NA 16 18 24
28. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has proposed fare increases for buses, subways and trains, and toll hikes for bridges and tunnels. To help reduce the size of these fare and toll hikes would you support or oppose increasing taxes on businesses within the area served by the MTA?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Support 47% 35% 51% 46% 49% 49% 42% Oppose 46 62 42 46 44 44 51 DK/NA 7 3 6 8 7 7 7 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Support 45% 45% 54% 45% 41% 44% 49% Oppose 49 48 40 46 55 52 41 DK/NA 6 7 6 9 4 4 9
29. To help reduce the size of these fares and toll hikes would you support or oppose placing tolls on the East River and Harlem River bridges?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Support 36% 37% 34% 40% 44% 25% 31% Oppose 61 60 62 56 52 71 66 DK/NA 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Support 23% 33% 50% 32% 37% 40% 32% Oppose 74 64 46 64 61 57 64 DK/NA 3 3 4 3 2 3 4
30. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling the public schools?
HvKids Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp PubSch Approve 53% 60% 50% 60% 57% 45% 54% 51% Disapprove 35 24 38 28 27 47 36 43 DK/NA 13 16 12 12 16 8 10 6 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 54% 47% 55% 55% 63% 62% 45% Disapprove 41 35 30 34 34 27 41 DK/NA 6 18 15 11 4 11 14
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling the public schools?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jan 28 Jul 16 Jul 26 Mar 15 Mar 8 Jul 16 May 7 2009 2008 2007 2007 2006 2008 2003 Approve 53 56 52 50 54 56 35 Disapprove 35 32 33 39 34 32 52 DK/NA 13 12 14 11 13 12 12
31. Are you generally satisfied with the quality of the public schools in New York City, or are you not satisfied?
HvKids Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp PubSch Satisfied 32% 38% 30% 33% 31% 26% 37% 49% Not satisfied 55 40 58 54 50 64 55 51 DK/NA 14 22 12 13 18 10 8 - Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Satisfied 31% 30% 25% 35% 51% 36% 28% Not satisfied 62 53 60 51 42 49 60 DK/NA 7 17 14 14 7 14 13
TREND: Are you generally satisfied with the quality of the public schools in New York City, or are you not satisfied? (*also 12% on 2/5/04, 3/27/02, 4/20/00 & 3/31/97)
SATISFIED.... High Low Jan 28 Jul 16 Nov 21 Jul 26 Mar 15 Jan 28 Feb 5 2009 2008 2007 2007 2007 2009 2004* Satisfied 32 29 27 25 19 32 12 Not satisfied 55 59 55 63 64 55 74 DK/NA 14 12 18 12 16 14 13
32. Are you generally satisfied with the quality of public schools in your neighborhood, or are you not satisfied?
HvKids Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp PubSch Satisfied 42% 51% 41% 43% 49% 28% 39% 52% Not satisfied 41 27 45 39 30 60 49 47 DK/NA 17 22 14 19 21 11 12 1 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Satisfied 37% 38% 36% 50% 65% 49% 36% Not satisfied 51 44 40 37 30 34 48 DK/NA 11 19 24 13 5 17 16
TREND: Are you generally satisfied with the quality of the public schools in your neighborhood, or are you not satisfied?
SATISFIED.... High Low Jan 28 Jul 16 Nov 21 Jul 26 Mar 15 Jul 16 Feb 5 2009 2008 2007 2007 2007 2008 2004 Satisfied 42 43 40 38 34 43 27 Not satisfied 41 45 40 46 47 45 56 DK/NA 17 12 20 16 19 12 17
33. Do you think Mayor Bloomberg's take-over of the public schools has been a success or failure?
HvKids Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp PubSch Success 47% 55% 46% 51% 53% 42% 47% 50% Failure 31 17 34 28 25 39 33 39 DK/NA 22 29 20 21 22 19 21 11 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Success 44% 42% 52% 48% 60% 54% 42% Failure 37 30 26 32 29 25 35 DK/NA 19 28 22 20 10 21 23
TREND: Do you think Mayor Bloomberg's take-over of the public schools has been a success or failure?
Jan 28 Jul 16 Nov 21 Jul 26 Mar 15 2009 2008 2007 2007 2007 Success 47 54 47 51 39 Failure 31 26 25 27 34 DK/NA 22 20 27 22 27
34. Mayoral control of the public schools expires this year, unless the state legislature renews it. Do you think Mayoral control of the public schools should continue or not?
HvKids Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp PubSch Continue 56% 64% 55% 59% 62% 52% 54% 57% Stop 34 22 36 33 26 41 39 39 DK/NA 10 14 9 8 12 7 7 4 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Continue 52% 53% 59% 56% 63% 63% 50% Stop 41 33 30 35 32 28 39 DK/NA 7 13 11 8 5 9 11
35. When it comes to quality of life offenses in New York City such as littering, loud music, and pooper-scooper violations, which comes closest to your point of view A) New York City is doing a good job cracking down on these quality of life offenses, B) New York City is not doing enough to combat these quality of life offenses, C) New York City is doing too much so that it can get more money from fines?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp A) Doing a good job 36% 40% 36% 35% 43% 25% 24% B) Not doing enough 42 44 41 41 41 45 49 C) Doing too much/ Money from fines 18 11 19 19 13 25 23 DK/NA 4 4 3 4 3 4 4 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom A) Doing a good job 24% 34% 46% 38% 33% 38% 34% B) Not doing enough 46 46 37 38 51 39 45 C) Doing too much/ Money from fines 28 16 12 20 14 19 16 DK/NA 2 4 4 4 2 3 4
36. Do you support Mayor Bloomberg's get-tough move on quality-of-life crimes, or do you think it's just a public relations stunt?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Support 59% 69% 56% 61% 69% 50% 49% PR stunt 34 25 35 35 23 40 43 DK/NA 8 6 9 4 8 10 7 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Support 51% 61% 63% 57% 57% 60% 57% PR stunt 38 32 30 35 36 35 33 DK/NA 11 7 8 8 7 5 10
37. Critics of the new Yankee Stadium say the city is giving the Yankees taxpayer dollars to build the stadium. Supporters say the city is approving loans which must be repaid by the Yankees and not directly giving the Yankees any money. Who do you believe?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Critics 55% 50% 55% 60% 56% 49% 56% Supporters 27 31 27 24 25 31 28 DK/NA 18 18 18 16 19 19 16 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Critics 51% 59% 54% 57% 43% 56% 54% Supporters 29 25 24 28 44 32 23 DK/NA 20 16 23 16 12 12 23