New York State (NY) Poll * January 15, 2009 * Opposition To New York Fat Tax - Quinnipiac University

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January 15, 2009 - Opposition To New York Fat Tax Gets Fatter, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Statewide Opposition To East River Tolls Is Narrow

Word format Despite Gov. David Paterson's focus on childhood obesity during his State of the State message, New York State voters oppose the so-called 'Fat Tax' on non-diet soft drinks 64 - 32 percent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Even those who prefer diet soft drinks oppose the measure 62 - 35 percent.
Overall opposition compares to a 60 - 37 percent opposition in a December 24, 2008, survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll.
In this latest survey, people who prefer non-diet or regular soft drinks oppose the 'Fat Tax' 72 - 26 percent. Voters with a college degree oppose it 57 - 40 percent, while voters with no degree oppose it 68 - 28 percent.
New York State voters approve 53 - 25 percent of the job Gov. Paterson is doing, and split 42 - 43 percent on his handling of the state budget, up from 40 - 46 percent last month.
In ranking the New York State Legislature, voters say:
3 percent that it's the best in the nation; 39 percent that it's among the best in the nation; 36 percent that it's among the worst in the nation; 7 percent that it's the worst in the nation.
Voters disapprove 54 - 28 percent of the way the legislature is doing its job. Only 20 percent say the legislature has the courage to make unpopular budget decisions while 71 percent say it will be "business as usual in Albany."
"One month after Gov. David Paterson rolled out his 'Fat Tax' proposal, and one week after he gave it a big push in his State of the State message, opposition is growing weightier instead of slimmer," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"But he's keeping his overall approval up and improved his score on handling the budget."
New York State voters support 80 - 16 percent raising taxes on people who earn more than one million dollars a year. Voters also support 73 - 23 percent raising taxes on those who make more than $500,000 per year, and support 55 - 41 percent raising taxes on those who make more than $250,000 per year.
"We'd like to tax millionaires and even half-millionaires. But the support begins to erode when we drop the high-tax level to $250,000, too close to home for many voters," Carroll said.
Voters statewide oppose 46 - 41 percent a proposal to charge tolls on East River and Harlem River bridges in New York City and use the money to offset Metropolitan Transportation Authority fare and toll hikes. Upstate voters support the new toll idea 46 - 30 percent while suburban voters oppose it 55 - 39 percent and New York City voters oppose it 60 - 37 percent. Commuters or voters who ride an MTA train, bus or subway or pay an MTA bridge or tunnel toll at least once a week oppose the measure 56 - 40 percent.
By a larger 51 - 41 percent margin, voters statewide oppose a tax increase on businesses in the MTA service area, even if the money were used to offset fare and toll hikes. Upstate voters oppose this tax hike 48 - 42 percent, as do suburban voters, 51 - 43 percent, New York City voters, 54 - 40 percent, and commuters, 51 - 45 percent.
"Gov. Paterson endorsed the MTA bailout plan - a business tax and new tolls on East River and Harlem River bridges. Voters don't agree. Upstate voters support the bridge tolls, because tolls they don't plan to pay are better than increased state support for the MTA," Carroll said. "The business tax is less objectionable than new bridge tolls for downstate voters."
New York State's budget problems are "very serious," 74 percent of voters say, higher than ever measured. Another 21 percent say they are "somewhat serious."
By a 56 - 30 percent margin, voters would rather cut services than raise taxes. If taxes must be raised, 61 percent say hike the sales tax while 29 percent say raise income taxes.
"New Yorkers are convinced the state is in bad shape," Carroll said. "But they doubt that the legislature has the courage to fix things. They think it'll be business as usual. Despite a new report on the dysfunctional state government, New Yorkers split over whether their lawmakers are among the nation's best, or worst."
From January 8 - 12, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,664 New York State registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.4 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.
For more data or RSS feed - http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.
1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way David Paterson is handling his job as Governor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 53% 41% 62% 55% 53% 53% Disapprove 25 38 18 23 27 24 DK/NA 22 21 21 22 21 23 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 44% 45% 45% 63% 53% Disapprove 31 31 31 18 25 DK/NA 25 24 24 19 22
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way David Paterson is handling his job as Governor?
Jan 15 Dec 24 Aug 6 Jun 12 Apr 17 2009 2008 2008 2008 2008 Approve 53 53 64 56 50 Disapprove 25 29 14 17 10 DK/NA 22 18 22 27 39
5. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 28% 27% 33% 23% 25% 31% Disapprove 54 60 47 62 60 49 DK/NA 18 13 20 15 15 20 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 27% 24% 25% 31% 32% Disapprove 60 58 59 48 54 DK/NA 14 18 17 20 14
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job? (* also 26% 8/11/2004)
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jan 15 Dec 24 Aug 6 Jun 12 Apr 17 Apr 4 Aug 6 2009 2008 2008 2008 2008 2007 2008* Approve 28 30 26 29 32 34 26 Disapprove 54 55 55 55 51 43 55 DK/NA 18 15 18 16 17 23 18
6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Thomas DiNapoli is handling his job as State Comptroller?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 30% 28% 30% 32% 32% 28% Disapprove 18 17 21 16 20 17 DK/NA 52 55 50 52 48 55 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 25% 31% 30% 27% 34% Disapprove 13 16 16 21 19 DK/NA 61 52 54 51 47
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Thomas DiNapoli is handling his job as State Comptroller?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jan 15 Dec 24 Aug 6 Jun 12 Apr 17 Jul 31 Apr 4 2009 2008 2008 2008 2008 2007 2007 Approve 30 33 25 30 27 34 24 Disapprove 18 20 16 13 16 15 13 DK/NA 52 47 59 57 57 51 63
8. 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 31% 29% 36% 28% 29% 33% Disapprove 34 37 30 39 45 26 DK/NA 34 34 34 33 25 42 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 27% 27% 27% 38% 30% Disapprove 30 37 36 34 33 DK/NA 43 36 37 28 38
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Sheldon Silver is handling his job as State Assembly Speaker?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jan 15 Dec 24 Aug 6 Jun 12 Apr 17 Dec 24 Aug 11 2009 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2004 Approve 31 38 31 32 34 38 26 Disapprove 34 34 31 31 31 34 33 DK/NA 34 28 38 37 35 38 41
18. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New York State today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very satisfied 2% 3% 2% 3% 3% 2% Smwht satisfied 28 19 39 20 23 32 Smwht dissatisfied 33 31 32 36 36 31 Very dissatisfied 36 46 26 39 37 35 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 2 1 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Very satisfied 1% 2% 1% 4% 1% Smwht satisfied 22 21 21 36 27 Smwht dissatisfied 31 33 33 30 38 Very dissatisfied 46 43 43 29 32 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 2
TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New York State today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? (* also combined sat=30% on Dec 24)
VERY + SMWHT SAT High Low Jan 15 Dec 24 Aug 6 Jun 12 Apr 17 Feb 25 Jan 15 2009 2008 2008 2008 2008 1998 2009* Very satisfied 2 3 3 3 3 13 2 Smwht satisfied 28 27 34 37 38 60 28 Smwht dissatisfied 33 34 38 34 33 20 33 Very dissatisfied 36 36 25 25 24 7 36 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 2 1 1
19. How would you rank the New York State legislature - The best in the nation, among the best in the nation, among the worst in the nation or the worst in the nation?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom The best 3% 4% 4% 1% 2% 4% Among the best 39 28 50 34 35 42 Among the worst 36 47 26 43 43 31 The worst 7 8 4 8 9 5 DK/NA 15 13 16 13 13 17 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub The best 1% 1% 1% 5% 4% Among the best 29 32 31 50 37 Among the worst 40 46 45 25 37 The worst 13 9 10 4 5 DK/NA 17 12 13 16 17
20. Would you describe the state of New York's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Excellent - - 1 - 1 - Good 7 8 8 3 7 6 Not so good 40 33 44 42 41 40 Poor 52 58 47 54 51 53 DK/NA 1 1 - 1 1 1 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Excellent - - - 1 - Good 9 7 7 7 5 Not so good 32 35 35 44 46 Poor 58 58 58 47 48 DK/NA - - - 1 1
TREND: Would you describe the state of New York State's economy these days as: Excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
EXCLNT + GOOD High Low Jan 15 Dec 24 Aug 6 Jun 12 Apr 17 Mar 29 Dec 24 2009 2008 2008 2008 2008 2006 2008 Excellent - - - - 1 2 - Good 7 6 12 21 20 35 6 Not so good 40 43 48 48 53 40 43 Poor 52 51 38 28 25 22 51 DK/NA 1 1 1 3 1 2 1
21. Do you approve or disapprove of the way David Paterson is handling the state budget?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 42% 34% 46% 45% 43% 41% Disapprove 43 55 37 39 45 41 DK/NA 15 11 16 16 12 18 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 40% 37% 37% 47% 42% Disapprove 45 48 48 36 44 DK/NA 15 15 15 17 14
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way David Paterson is handling the state budget? (* handled the state budget)
Jan 15 Dec 24 Apr 17 2009 2008 2008* Approve 42 40 52 Disapprove 43 46 18 DK/NA 15 14 29
22. How serious do you think New York State's budget problems are - very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious, or not at all serious?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very serious 74% 77% 74% 70% 72% 75% Smwht serious 21 18 22 24 20 22 Not too serious 2 3 2 2 4 1 Not at all serious 1 1 - 1 1 - DK/NA 1 1 1 3 2 1 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Very serious 74% 74% 74% 73% 75% Smwht serious 22 22 22 22 19 Not too serious 2 1 1 2 4 Not at all serious 1 1 1 1 - DK/NA 1 2 2 1 2
TREND: How serious do you think New York State's budget problems are - very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious, or not at all serious?
Jan 15 Dec 24 Aug 6 Nov 6 Feb 12 Dec 18 2009 2008 2008 2003 2003 2002 Very serious 74 71 63 62 57 48 Smwht serious 21 25 32 30 37 44 Not too serious 2 3 2 5 3 5 Not at all serious 1 - 1 1 1 1 DK/NA 1 1 2 1 1 3
23. Do you think the state legislature has the political courage to make unpopular budgetary decisions or do you think it will be business as usual in Albany?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Has courage 20% 14% 25% 17% 17% 22% Business as usual 71 83 64 72 75 67 DK/NA 9 3 11 11 8 10 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Has courage 15% 16% 16% 25% 19% Business as usual 77 74 75 65 71 DK/NA 8 9 9 10 10
24. To balance the state budget, if you had to choose, would you prefer - raising taxes or cutting government programs and services?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Raising taxes 30% 15% 44% 23% 25% 35% Cutting services 56 73 42 62 62 50 DK/NA 14 12 15 14 13 15 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Raising taxes 20% 24% 23% 44% 23% Cutting services 65 62 63 43 63 DK/NA 15 14 14 14 14
TREND: To balance the state budget, if you had to choose, would you prefer - raising taxes or cutting government programs and services?
Jan 15 Dec 24 Aug 6 2009 2008 2008 Raising taxes 30 36 32 Cutting services 56 53 56 DK/NA 14 11 12
25. If a tax increase is needed, which would you prefer - raising the state sales tax or raising the state income tax?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Raising sales tax 61% 72% 56% 59% 59% 63% Raising income tax 29 19 35 31 30 28 DK/NA 10 9 9 10 12 8 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Raising sales tax 54% 62% 60% 57% 70% Raising income tax 30 27 28 34 24 DK/NA 16 10 12 10 7
TREND: If a tax increase is needed, which would you prefer - raising the state sales tax or raising the state income tax?
Jan 15 Aug 6 2009 2008 State sales tax 61 58 State income tax 29 32 DK/NA 10 10
26. There is a proposal to raise the state income tax paid by people who earn more than a million dollars a year. Do you support or oppose this proposal?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 80% 63% 89% 82% 76% 84% Oppose 16 35 7 13 21 12 DK/NA 4 2 3 6 4 3 UpState..... UpState INCOME............. Urban Othr Total NYC Sub <50 50-100 >100K Support 74% 79% 78% 84% 79% 83% 83% 75% Oppose 21 19 19 12 16 14 13 22 DK/NA 5 2 3 4 5 3 3 3
TREND: There is a proposal to raise the state income tax paid by people who earn more than a million dollars a year. Do you support or oppose this proposal?
Jan 15 Dec 24 Aug 6 2009 2008 2008 Support 80 84 78 Oppose 16 13 18 DK/NA 4 2 4
27. Some say that the income level for a tax increase should be lower than a million dollars. Do you support or oppose raising the state income tax paid by people who earn more than five hundred thousand dollars a year?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 73% 58% 80% 75% 69% 76% Oppose 23 39 14 21 26 20 DK/NA 4 3 5 5 5 4 UpState..... UpState INCOME............. Urban Othr Total NYC Sub <50 50-100 >100K Support 68% 74% 73% 77% 66% 79% 75% 70% Oppose 28 22 23 18 30 16 23 28 DK/NA 4 4 4 5 4 5 2 2
28. Do you support or oppose raising the state income tax paid by people who earn more than two hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 55% 41% 63% 53% 53% 57% Oppose 41 57 32 42 43 39 DK/NA 4 2 5 5 5 4 UpState..... UpState INCOME............. Urban Othr Total NYC Sub <50 50-100 >100K Support 56% 56% 56% 59% 47% 64% 55% 44% Oppose 38 39 39 38 50 31 43 53 DK/NA 6 5 5 4 4 4 2 3
29. There is a proposal for an "obesity tax" or a "fat tax" on non-diet sugary soft drinks. Do you support or oppose such a measure?
No col College Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom degree degree Support 32% 22% 39% 34% 30% 34% 28% 40% Oppose 64 76 57 64 67 63 68 57 DK/NA 3 2 5 2 4 3 4 3 UpState..... UpState DRINK OF CHOICEq30 Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Diet Regular Support 23% 30% 28% 40% 28% 35% 26% Oppose 71 68 69 57 67 62 72 DK/NA 6 2 3 3 5 3 2
TREND: There is a proposal for an "obesity tax" or a "fat tax" on non-diet sugary soft drinks. Do you support or oppose such a measure?
Jan 15 Dec 24 2009 2008 Support 32 37 Oppose 64 60 DK/NA 3 3
30. Which would you say that you drink more often - diet soft drinks or regular, non-diet soft drinks?
No col College Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom degree degree Diet 30% 31% 31% 29% 30% 30% 26% 38% Regular 40 42 40 38 43 37 45 31 DK/NA 30 27 29 33 27 32 29 31 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Diet 32% 32% 32% 26% 33% Regular 41 39 40 44 34 DK/NA 27 29 29 30 33
TREND: Which would you say that you drink more often - diet soft drinks or regular, non-diet soft drinks?
Jan 15 Dec 24 2009 2008 Diet 30% 31% Regular 40 38 DK/NA 30 31
31. Do you support or oppose increasing taxes on gasoline?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 19% 10% 26% 21% 23% 17% Oppose 78 90 71 77 76 81 DK/NA 2 - 3 3 2 2 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Support 12% 14% 14% 27% 19% Oppose 87 85 86 69 80 DK/NA 1 1 1 4 2
TREND: Do you support or oppose increasing taxes on gasoline?
Jan 15 Dec 24 2009 2008 Support 19 19 Oppose 78 79 DK/NA 2 2
32. Do you support or oppose increasing taxes on alcoholic beverages?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 65% 59% 71% 62% 57% 72% Oppose 32 40 25 35 40 25 DK/NA 3 2 3 3 4 2 UpState..... UpState Drink Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Wkly Q39 Support 55% 63% 61% 68% 70% 52% Oppose 40 34 35 30 28 45 DK/NA 5 3 4 2 2 3
TREND: Do you support or oppose increasing taxes on alcoholic beverages?
Jan 15 Dec 24 2009 2008 Support 65 67 Oppose 32 32 DK/NA 3 1
33. Do you support or oppose increasing taxes on cigarettes?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 74% 66% 78% 75% 69% 77% Oppose 25 34 20 25 30 22 DK/NA 1 1 2 - 1 1 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub SmokersQ38 Support 67% 68% 68% 76% 81% 35% Oppose 33 31 31 22 18 65 DK/NA - 1 1 2 1 -
TREND: Do you support or oppose increasing taxes on cigarettes?
Jan 15 Dec 24 2009 2008 Support 74 73 Oppose 25 26 DK/NA 1 1
34. To balance the state budget, if you had to choose, where do you think state spending should be decreased - health care or education?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Health care 30% 35% 27% 31% 33% 28% Education 28 35 23 29 30 25 DK/NA 42 30 51 40 37 47 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Health care 29% 30% 30% 32% 27% Education 27 31 30 21 34 DK/NA 43 39 40 48 39
35. 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 Men Wom Support 41% 36% 44% 44% 37% 45% Oppose 51 61 47 48 56 46 DK/NA 8 4 9 8 7 9 UpState..... UpState COMMUTERS Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes Q37 Support 40% 42% 42% 40% 43% 45% Oppose 50 47 48 54 51 51 DK/NA 9 10 10 6 6 4
36. To help reduce the size of these fare and toll hikes would you support or oppose placing tolls on the East river and Harlem river bridges?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 41% 41% 42% 45% 41% 41% Oppose 46 45 48 40 48 44 DK/NA 13 13 10 15 11 14 UpState..... UpState COMMUTERS Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes Q37 Support 45% 46% 46% 37% 39% 40% Oppose 29 31 30 60 55 56 DK/NA 25 23 24 3 7 4
37. Do you currently ride a Metropolitan Transportation Authority commuter train, subway or bus or pay a toll for an MTA bridge or tunnel at least once a week?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 38% 23% 51% 32% 39% 38% No 61 77 49 66 60 62 DK/NA 1 - - 1 1 - UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes 11% 10% 10% 77% 33% No 87 90 89 23 66 DK/NA 2 - 1 - 1
38. Do you currently smoke cigarettes?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 14% 17% 13% 15% 16% 13% No 86 83 87 85 84 87 DK/NA - - - 1 - -
39. How often, if ever, do you drink alcoholic beverages such as liquor, wine or never?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Every day 7% 7% 6% 9% 9% 5% Few days a week 20 22 17 22 26 15 Few days a month 26 21 27 28 26 26 Few days a year 27 27 27 28 21 31 Never 20 23 24 12 17 23 DK/NA 1 - - 1 1 1