New York State (NY) Poll * April 4, 2007 * New York Voters Say 'Steamroll - Quinnipiac University

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April 4, 2007 - New York Voters Say 'Steamroller' Has Sputtered, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; More Say State Budget Deal Was Too Costly

New York State voters give Gov. Eliot Spitzer a 48 - 27 percent approval rating, with 25 percent undecided, and say 47 - 36 percent that his "Steamroller Style" is good for the people, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
These numbers are down from a 61 - 11 percent approval for Gov. Spitzer in a February 13 poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University, when voters said 61 - 24 percent that the "Steamroller Style" was good for the people.
In today's survey, 47 percent of voters say the steamroller tactic contributes to legislative gridlock, while 23 percent say the tactic is working.
Voters give legislative leaders very low marks, a split 30 - 30 percent approval for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and a negative 27 - 34 percent for Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno. The State Legislature gets a negative 34 - 43 percent score.
Spitzer allowed the Legislature to put too much spending back in the budget, 33 percent of voters say, while 30 percent say the Governor reached a fair compromise.
"There's nothing like a knock-down, drag-out New York State budget battle to take the steam out of even the most vigorous steamroller. Budget stories dominated the media and Gov. Eliot Spitzer's job approval numbers sagged, " said Maurice Carroll, Director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "On the budget, did Gov. Spitzer cave or win a 'fair compromise?' Slightly more voters say he gave away too much."
"The Governor is still some sort of steamroller, New Yorkers think, but they doubt that the tactic is working. Men still think it's a good idea. Women, less so," Carroll added.
Other legislators are more involved in the budget process, 36 percent of New York State voters say, while 32 percent say the practice continues of "three men in a room" making all the decisions.
"Remember how, during the campaign for governor, we heard that Albany's infamous 'rule of three' would end? A lot of New Yorkers think it's still in place," Carroll said.
Voters approve 45 - 30 percent of the way Spitzer is handling the state budget, but disapprove 46 - 31 percent of the way he is handling health care.
Of the 81 percent of voters who heard at least a little about Spitzer's proposed restructuring of health care funding, 39 percent oppose it while 36 percent support it.
And voters say 64 - 28 percent that proposed cuts or freezes in health care spending will endanger the quality of health care.
Ads attacking Spitzer's health care proposals were seen by 72 percent of New Yorker State voters, but only 39 percent of that group believe the ads, while 46 percent say the ads misrepresent the issue.
And voters say 39 - 26 percent that Sen. Bruno was catering to hospital lobbyists rather than trying to protect health care when he challenged Spitzer on the budget cuts.
Voters approve 53 - 17 percent of the job State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is doing, compared to 42 - 16 percent February 13.
From March 28 - April 2, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,548 New York State voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percent.
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. For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x271.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.
21. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Eliot Spitzer is handling his job as Governor of New York?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 48% 48% 52% 48% 54% 44% Disapprove 27 26 26 26 22 30 DK/NA 25 26 22 26 23 26 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 41% 51% 49% 46% 51% Disapprove 39 27 29 26 24 DK/NA 20 22 22 28 26
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Eliot Spitzer is handling his job as Governor of New York?
Apr 4 Feb 13 2007 2007 Approve 48 61 Disapprove 27 11 DK/NA 25 28
23. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Charles Schumer is handling his job as United States Senator?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 63% 46% 75% 62% 62% 63% Disapprove 19 38 7 18 23 15 DK/NA 19 16 17 20 15 22 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 58% 60% 60% 68% 59% Disapprove 20 19 19 16 23 DK/NA 22 21 21 17 19
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Charles Schumer is handling his job as United States Senator? (* = Also 69% on 10/02/01)
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Apr 4 Feb 13 Dec 14 Oct 5 Aug 24 Dec 8 Apr 15 2007 2007 2006 2006 2006 2004 * 1999 Approve 63 65 65 59 59 69 51 Disapprove 19 20 21 25 23 16 22 DK/NA 19 15 14 16 18 15 28
24. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 34% 40% 35% 27% 34% 35% Disapprove 43 44 40 47 48 39 DK/NA 23 16 25 25 18 27 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 40% 32% 33% 37% 32% Disapprove 39 48 47 40 40 DK/NA 21 20 20 23 28
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Apr 4 Feb 13 Dec 14 Jun 21 May 17 Apr 4 Aug 11 2007 2007 2006 2006 2006 2007 2004 Approve 34 31 32 30 31 34 26 Disapprove 43 48 50 51 53 43 57 DK/NA 23 21 18 19 17 23 16
25. Do you approve or disapprove of the way David Paterson is handling his job as Lieutenant Governor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 25% 24% 31% 18% 26% 24% Disapprove 10 9 12 8 11 10 DK/NA 65 66 57 73 63 66 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 25% 24% 24% 31% 17% Disapprove 13 9 10 11 10 DK/NA 61 67 66 59 73
26. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Thomas DiNapoli is handling his job as State Comptroller?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 24% 23% 27% 21% 28% 20% Disapprove 13 13 16 11 15 12 DK/NA 63 64 57 68 57 68 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 21% 28% 27% 19% 25% Disapprove 14 9 10 19 11 DK/NA 65 63 63 62 64
27. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Andrew Cuomo is handling his job as State Attorney General?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 53% 43% 63% 49% 53% 53% Disapprove 17 25 13 19 17 17 DK/NA 30 32 24 33 30 30 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 49% 55% 54% 54% 49% Disapprove 16 16 16 16 21 DK/NA 35 29 30 30 30
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Andrew Cuomo is handling his job as State Attorney General?
Apr 4 Feb 13 2007 2007 Approve 53 42 Disapprove 17 16 DK/NA 30 42
28. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Sheldon Silver is handling his job as State Assembly Speaker?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 30% 26% 36% 25% 30% 30% Disapprove 30 39 24 33 40 23 DK/NA 40 35 40 42 31 47 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 35% 28% 29% 36% 23% Disapprove 23 34 32 27 33 DK/NA 42 38 39 37 44
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Sheldon Silver is handling his job as State Assembly Speaker?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Apr 4 Feb 13 Dec 14 Jun 21 May 17 Oct 2 Aug 11 2007 2007 2006 2006 2006 2003 2004 Approve 30 28 29 32 30 35 26 Disapprove 30 37 33 35 37 26 33 DK/NA 40 35 38 33 33 39 41
29. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joseph Bruno is handling his job as State Senate Majority Leader?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 27% 34% 28% 21% 28% 27% Disapprove 34 35 32 36 44 25 DK/NA 39 31 40 43 28 48 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 25% 29% 29% 30% 22% Disapprove 33 36 35 32 33 DK/NA 41 35 36 38 46
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joseph Bruno is handling his job as State Senate Majority Leader?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Apr 4 Feb 13 Dec 14 Jun 21 May 17 Oct 2 Feb 13 2007 2007 2006 2006 2006 2003 2007 Approve 27 25 28 29 30 36 25 Disapprove 34 39 32 35 38 25 39 DK/NA 39 36 40 36 33 39 36
34. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Eliot Spitzer is handling the state budget?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 45% 44% 46% 48% 51% 40% Disapprove 30 32 29 25 26 33 DK/NA 25 23 25 27 23 27 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 39% 51% 49% 43% 39% Disapprove 39 29 30 30 29 DK/NA 22 21 21 27 32
35. In reaching a state budget agreement with the state legislature, did Spitzer reach a fair compromise or did he allow for too much additional spending in the state budget?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Fair compromise 30% 28% 32% 30% 33% 27% Too much spending 33 42 29 32 34 32 DK/NA 37 30 39 39 33 41 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Fair compromise 29% 28% 29% 32% 29% Too much spending 42 37 38 29 30 DK/NA 28 35 34 39 42
36. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Eliot Spitzer is handling health care?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 31% 34% 30% 31% 38% 25% Disapprove 46 43 49 43 39 51 DK/NA 24 24 21 26 23 24 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 32% 34% 34% 28% 28% Disapprove 51 44 45 46 47 DK/NA 17 23 22 25 25
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Eliot Spitzer is handling health care?
Apr 4 Feb 13 2007 2007 Approve 31 40 Disapprove 46 18 DK/NA 24 42
37. Governor Spitzer has recently proposed a major restructuring of the way that New York State funds the state's health care industry. How much have you heard or read about this proposal? A lot, some, only a little or nothing at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom A lot 15% 12% 16% 16% 14% 15% Some 32 35 34 28 32 32 Only a little 34 34 33 36 35 34 Nothing at all 18 19 15 18 18 18 DK/NA 1 - 2 2 2 1 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub A lot 16% 14% 14% 19% 9% Some 26 36 34 27 36 Only a little 46 34 36 32 35 Nothing at all 12 16 16 20 18 DK/NA - - - 2 2
TREND: Governor Spitzer has recently proposed a major restructuring of the way that New York State funds the state's health care industry. How much have you heard or read about this proposal? A lot, some, only a little or nothing at all?
Apr 4 Feb 13 2007 2007 A lot 15 5 Some 32 21 Only a little 34 40 Nothing at all 18 34 DK/NA 1 -
38. (If heard q37) In general do you support or oppose Governor Spitzer's proposal on health care funding?
HEARD OF PROPOSAL Q38...................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 36% 39% 36% 37% 43% 31% Oppose 39 37 43 34 33 44 DK/NA 25 24 21 29 24 25 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Support 30% 37% 36% 38% 36% Oppose 41 38 39 40 38 DK/NA 29 25 26 22 26
TREND: (If heard) In general do you support or oppose Governor Spitzer's proposal on health care funding?
Apr 4 Feb 13 2007 2007 Support 36 54 Oppose 39 15 DK/NA 25 31
39. Governor Spitzer is proposing cuts or freezes on the amount of money that the state reimburses hospitals, nursing homes, and pharmacies for some patient care. Which comes closer to your point of view -- A) There is enough waste in health-care spending that the proposed cuts will not lessen the quality of care, OR B) The proposed cuts might endanger the quality of patient care?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom A) Enough waste 28% 36% 21% 33% 34% 23% B) Will endanger care 64 56 70 59 56 70 DK/NA 8 8 9 8 10 7 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub A) Enough waste 22% 30% 29% 26% 30% b) Will endanger care 69 62 64 63 64 DK/NA 9 7 8 11 6
TREND: Governor Spitzer is proposing cuts or freezes on the amount of money that the state reimburses hospitals, nursing homes and pharmacies for some patient care. Which comes closer to your point of view -- A)There is enough waste in health-care spending that the proposed cuts will not lessen the quality of care. OR B)The proposed cuts might endanger the quality of patient care
Apr 4 Feb 13 2007 2007 Enough waste 28 33 Will endanger care 64 58 DK/NA 8 9
40. Have you seen the health-care industry's advertisements against Spitzer's health-care cuts?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 72% 74% 73% 73% 70% 73% No 27 26 26 27 29 26 DK/NA 1 - 1 - 1 1 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes 77% 71% 72% 71% 73% No 23 29 28 27 27 DK/NA - - - 2 0
41. (If saw ads q40) Do you believe the ads or do you think they misrepresent the issues?
SAW ADS Q40................................ Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Believe the ads 39% 33% 47% 33% 31% 46% Misrepresent issues 46 54 40 49 53 40 DK/NA 15 13 13 18 16 14 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Believe the ads 48% 36% 38% 46% 30% Misrepresent issues 42 47 46 41 53 DK/NA 10 17 16 13 17
42. Which comes closest to your point of view: A) Senator Bruno's opposition to the health-care cuts is a sincere effort to protect health care, OR B) Senator Bruno is catering to the hospital and hospital-worker lobbies?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom A) Protecting health care 26% 29% 24% 28% 22% 30% B) Catering to lobbies 39 41 40 36 46 33 DK/NA 35 30 36 36 33 38 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub A) Protecting health care 28% 27% 27% 25% 25% B) Catering to lobbies 38 40 40 38 37 DK/NA 34 32 33 37 38
43. Governor Spitzer has called himself a steamroller who is going to roll over the opposition in his efforts to reform New York State government. Do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing for the people of New York State?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Good thing 47% 45% 49% 50% 53% 42% Bad thing 36 41 34 34 32 39 DK/NA 17 15 17 16 15 19 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Good thing 39% 50% 48% 47% 46% Bad thing 44 34 36 37 34 DK/NA 16 16 16 16 20
TREND: Governor Spitzer has called himself a steamroller who is going to roll over the opposition in his efforts to reform New York State government. Do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing for the people of New York State?
Apr 4 Feb 13 2007 2007 Good thing 47 61 Bad thing 36 24 DK/NA 17 15
44. Do you agree or disagree that Eliot Spitzer is a steamroller?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Agree 49% 48% 51% 46% 49% 48% Disagree 28 33 26 30 33 25 DK/NA 23 19 24 25 18 27 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Agree 44% 51% 50% 47% 48% Disagree 34 30 31 27 26 DK/NA 22 19 19 26 26
TREND: Do you agree or disagree that Eliot Spitzer is a steamroller?
Apr 4 Feb 13 2007 2007 Agree 49 53 Disagree 28 22 DK/NA 23 25
45. Is it your sense that the governor's "steamroller" tactic is working or do you think it contributes to legislative gridlock?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Tactic is working 23% 21% 24% 24% 26% 20% Contributes to gridlock 47 54 48 43 46 49 DK/NA 30 25 28 33 29 31 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Tactic is working 22% 24% 24% 23% 21% Contributes to gridlock 52 47 48 45 51 DK/NA 26 29 29 32 29
46. Historically, the Governor, the Senate Majority Leader, and the Assembly Speaker have made all the big decisions at the state Capitol in Albany with not much input from state legislators. Do you think that Albany's 'three men in a room' decision-making is continuing or do you think that other legislators are more involved since Governor Spitzer took office?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Three men continues 32% 38% 27% 35% 37% 28% Others involved 36 30 41 32 35 37 DK/NA 33 32 32 33 29 36 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Three men continues 36% 34% 34% 27% 35% Others involved 35 35 35 38 34 DK/NA 29 32 31 35 31