New York State (NY) Poll * February 18, 2009 * New York Voters Back Millionai - Quinnipiac University

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February 18, 2009 - New York Voters Back Millionaires Tax 4-1, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Most Voters Back Higher Tax On People Making $250,000

Word format By a 79 - 18 percent margin, New York State voters support a so-called 'Millionaires Tax,' a higher state income tax rate on people making more than $1 million a year, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Support for the higher tax sweeps across the political spectrum, 62 - 32 percent among Republicans, 91 - 7 percent among Democrats and 81 - 17 percent among independents, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.
Support drops slightly to 72 - 25 percent when the threshold for the higher tax rate is dropped to $500,000. Support drops further to 56 - 40 percent when the target number is set at $250,000. At this $250,000 target, Republicans switch to 60 - 37 percent opposed, while the lower number wins 67 - 29 percent support among Democrats and 59 - 38 percent support among independent voters.
Despite support for the Millionaires Tax, voters say 51 - 34 percent that they would rather cut state services than raise taxes.
And if taxes must be raised, voters prefer 64 - 28 percent raising the sales tax instead of the state income tax.
"'Tax the rich folks,' New Yorkers say. If you try to go from a 'Millionaires Tax' to a 'Quarter Millionaires Tax' you lose support, especially among Republicans, but overall voters still like the idea," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"New Yorkers to Albany: Cut services before you raise taxes. If you have to raise taxes, the sales tax is the choice."
New York State's budget problems are "very serious," 69 percent of voters say, while 26 percent say they are "somewhat serious."
But only 18 percent of voters say the State Legislature has the political courage to make unpopular budget decisions, while 74 percent says it will be "business as usual in Albany."
Voters disapprove 45 - 36 percent of the way Gov. David Paterson is handling the state budget. Voters split 45 - 45 percent on whether TV commercials attacking Gov. Paterson for proposals to cut health care are fair or unfair.
"Almost every New Yorker says the state is in a budget mess. Most think Gov. Paterson isn't handling it well and three out of four doubt that the State Legislature has the courage to confront the budget crisis. Voters think it will be 'business as usual' in Albany," Carroll said.
"Are those TV ads fair that show a blind man criticizing Paterson for cutting health care? Voters split."
Asked to choose which of the two biggest budget items should be cut, voters split with 28 percent saying cut health care and 29 percent saying cut education, with 43 percent undecided.
Looking at several tax proposals, New York State voters:
Oppose 79 - 19 percent increasing gasoline taxes; Support 64 - 34 percent increasing taxes on alcoholic beverages; Oppose 65 - 31 percent imposing a "fat tax" on non-diet sugary soft drinks; Support 73 - 25 percent increasing cigarette taxes.
Voters statewide oppose 51 - 42 percent a payroll tax on employers in the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) service area, with the money used to reduce the size of increases in subway, train and bus fares and bridge and tunnel tolls.
Voters also oppose 46 - 42 percent levying tolls on free East River and Harlem River bridges and using the money to reduce the size of MTA fare and toll hikes.
"Everyone knows that the only places to go for big budget savings are education and health care, but lawmakers won't get much guidance from voters. New Yorkers split on which to cut. More say they 'don't know,'" Carroll said. "It's the same story on the MTA bail-out plan. Voters don't like the payroll tax or the East River tolls."
From February 10 - 15, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,065 New York State registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 3 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.
20. 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% 3% - 2% 2% Smwht satisfied 29 20 37 25 24 32 Smwht dissatisfied 37 35 37 41 36 38 Very dissatisfied 31 41 24 33 37 27 DK/NA 1 1 - 1 1 1 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Very satisfied 4% 2% 2% 2% 1% Smwht satisfied 30 24 25 34 26 Smwht dissatisfied 29 32 32 40 45 Very dissatisfied 37 41 40 23 27 DK/NA - 1 1 1 -
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 Low 30% on 12/24/08)
VERY+SMWHT SAT High Low Feb 18 Jan 15 Dec 24 Aug 6 Jun 12 Feb 25 Jan 15 2009 2009 2008 2008 2008 1998 2008* Very satisfied 2 2 3 3 3 13 2 Smwht satisfied 29 28 27 34 37 60 28 Smwht dissatisfied 37 33 34 38 34 20 33 Very dissatisfied 31 36 36 25 25 7 36 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
38. Do you approve or disapprove of the way David Paterson is handling the state budget?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 36% 34% 39% 34% 43% 30% Disapprove 45 50 39 47 41 48 DK/NA 19 16 22 19 16 22 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 40% 34% 35% 37% 36% Disapprove 42 49 47 42 44 DK/NA 18 18 18 21 20
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way David Paterson is handling the state budget? (*handled the state budget)
Feb 18 Jan 15 Dec 24 Apr 17 2009 2009 2008 2008* Approve 36 42 40 52 Disapprove 45 43 46 18 DK/NA 19 15 14 29
39. 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 69% 60% 71% 73% 69% 69% Smwht serious 26 34 23 24 26 26 Not too serious 4 5 4 3 4 3 Not at all serious - - 1 - - 1 DK/NA 1 2 1 1 1 1 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Very serious 71% 74% 74% 66% 63% Smwht serious 26 22 23 25 33 Not too serious 3 2 2 5 3 Not at all serious - - - 1 - DK/NA - 1 1 2 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?
Feb 18 Jan 15 Dec 24 Aug 6 Nov 6 Feb 12 Dec 18 2009 2009 2008 2008 2003 2003 2002 Very serious 69 74 71 63 62 57 48 Smwht serious 26 21 25 32 30 37 44 Not too serious 4 2 3 2 5 3 5 Not at all serious - 1 - 1 1 1 1 DK/NA 1 1 1 2 1 1 3
40. 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 18% 19% 19% 19% 18% 18% Business as usual 74 76 71 75 76 73 DK/NA 8 5 10 6 7 9 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Has courage 18% 18% 18% 18% 18% Business as usual 77 75 76 75 71 DK/NA 6 7 6 8 11
TREND: 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?
Feb 18 Jan 15 2009 2009 Has courage 18 20 Business as usual 74 71 DK/NA 8 9
41. 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 34% 17% 47% 34% 33% 36% Cutting services 51 76 35 51 57 46 DK/NA 15 7 18 15 11 18 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Raising taxes 33% 22% 24% 45% 37% Cutting services 58 62 61 39 49 DK/NA 9 16 15 16 15
TREND: To balance the state budget, if you had to choose, would you prefer - raising taxes or cutting government programs and services?
Feb 18 Jan 15 Dec 24 Aug 6 2009 2009 2008 2008 Raising taxes 34 30 36 32 Cutting services 51 56 53 56 DK/NA 15 14 11 12
42. 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 64% 73% 58% 68% 64% 64% Raising income tax 28 19 36 22 27 28 DK/NA 8 8 6 10 9 8 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Raising sales tax 57% 62% 61% 64% 69% Raising income tax 37 28 30 27 23 DK/NA 6 10 9 8 9
TREND: If a tax increase is needed, which would you prefer - raising the state sales tax or raising the state income tax?
Feb 18 Jan 15 Aug 6 2009 2009 2008 Raising sales tax 64 61 58 Raising income tax 28 29 32 DK/NA 8 10 10
43. 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 79% 62% 91% 81% 72% 84% Oppose 18 32 7 17 25 12 DK/NA 3 6 2 2 2 3 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Support 82% 79% 79% 80% 76% Oppose 17 17 17 18 22 DK/NA 2 4 4 2 2
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?
Feb 18 Jan 15 Dec 24 Aug 6 2009 2009 2008 2008 Support 79 80 84 78 Oppose 18 16 13 18 DK/NA 3 4 2 4
44. 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 72% 55% 84% 74% 70% 74% Oppose 25 38 14 25 29 22 DK/NA 3 7 3 1 2 4 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Support 75% 75% 75% 70% 69% Oppose 25 22 23 25 28 DK/NA - 3 2 4 3
TREND: 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?
Feb 18 Jan 15 2009 2009 Support 72 73 Oppose 25 23 DK/NA 3 4
45. 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 56% 37% 67% 59% 52% 59% Oppose 40 60 29 38 45 37 DK/NA 4 4 3 3 3 4 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Support 58% 61% 60% 53% 53% Oppose 42 34 36 44 44 DK/NA - 5 4 3 4
TREND: 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?
Feb 18 Jan 15 2009 2009 Support 56 55 Oppose 40 41 DK/NA 4 4
46. 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?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 31% 25% 38% 28% 30% 33% Oppose 65 73 58 69 67 64 DK/NA 3 2 4 3 3 4 UpState..... UpState DRINK OF CHOICEq47 Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Diet Regular Support 37% 27% 29% 35% 29% 27% 27% Oppose 63 70 69 59 68 68 71 DK/NA - 3 2 6 2 4 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?
Feb 18 Jan 15 Dec 24 2009 2009 2008 Support 31 32 37 Oppose 65 64 60 DK/NA 3 3 3
47. Which would you say that you drink more often - diet soft drinks or regular, non-diet soft drinks?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Diet 29% 30% 27% 31% 27% 30% Regular 37 37 43 30 44 30 DK/NA 35 34 31 39 29 39 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Diet 27% 32% 31% 25% 29% Regular 36 33 33 42 34 DK/NA 36 35 35 33 37
TREND: Which would you say that you drink more often - diet soft drinks or regular, non-diet soft drinks?
Feb 18 Jan 15 Dec 24 2009 2009 2008 Diet 29 30 31 Regular 37 40 38 DK/NA 35 30 31
48. Do you support or oppose increasing taxes on gasoline?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 19% 5% 26% 21% 24% 14% Oppose 79 94 72 76 74 83 DK/NA 2 1 3 3 2 3 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Support 8% 10% 9% 29% 20% Oppose 91 89 89 68 77 DK/NA 1 1 1 3 3
TREND: Do you support or oppose increasing taxes on gasoline?
Feb 18 Jan 15 Dec 24 2009 2009 2008 Support 19 19 19 Oppose 79 78 79 DK/NA 2 2 2
49. Do you support or oppose increasing taxes on alcoholic beverages?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 64% 57% 74% 59% 59% 68% Oppose 34 42 23 39 40 29 DK/NA 2 1 3 1 1 3 UpState..... UpState Drink Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Wkly Q56 Support 67% 56% 58% 70% 67% 50% Oppose 32 41 39 28 32 49 DK/NA - 3 3 2 1 1
TREND: Do you support or oppose increasing taxes on alcoholic beverages?
Feb 18 Jan 15 Dec 24 2009 2009 2008 Support 64 65 67 Oppose 34 32 32 DK/NA 2 3 1
50. Do you support or oppose increasing taxes on cigarettes?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 73% 65% 83% 69% 66% 79% Oppose 25 35 16 30 32 20 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 2 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub SmokersQ55 Support 68% 65% 65% 81% 76% 36% Oppose 31 33 33 18 23 63 DK/NA 1 2 2 1 1 1
TREND: Do you support or oppose increasing taxes on cigarettes?
Feb 18 Jan 15 Dec 24 2009 2009 2008 Support 73 74 73 Oppose 25 25 26 DK/NA 1 1 1
51. 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 28% 30% 30% 25% 31% 26% Education 29 34 22 35 32 27 DK/NA 43 36 48 40 38 47 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Health care 30% 29% 29% 28% 27% Education 34 31 32 25 32 DK/NA 37 40 40 48 41
TREND: To balance the state budget, if you had to choose, where do you think state spending should be decreased - health care or education?
Feb 18 Jan 15 2009 2009 Health care 28 30 Education 29 28 DK/NA 43 42
52. 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 42% 35% 46% 41% 41% 42% Oppose 51 61 46 50 54 49 DK/NA 7 4 8 8 5 9 UpState..... UpState Commuters Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes Q54 Support 44% 38% 40% 43% 44% 43% Oppose 50 50 50 52 51 53 DK/NA 6 11 10 5 5 4
TREND: 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?
Feb 18 Jan 15 2009 2009 Support 42 41 Oppose 51 51 DK/NA 7 8
53. 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 42% 39% 45% 43% 42% 43% Oppose 46 50 47 43 48 45 DK/NA 11 11 9 13 11 12 UpState..... UpState Commuters Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes Q54 Support 40% 47% 46% 37% 43% 43% Oppose 42 32 34 61 47 56 DK/NA 17 21 20 2 9 1
TREND: 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?
Feb 18 Jan 15 2009 2009 Support 42 41 Oppose 46 46 DK/NA 11 13
54. 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 39% 27% 48% 38% 41% 38% No 60 71 52 61 58 61 DK/NA 1 2 - 1 1 1 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes 14% 8% 9% 79% 33% No 85 90 89 20 67 DK/NA 2 2 2 1 -
TREND: 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?
Feb 18 Jan 15 2009 2009 Yes 39 38 No 60 61 DK/NA 1 1
55. Do you currently smoke cigarettes?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 17% 15% 20% 16% 18% 17% No 82 85 80 84 82 83 DK/NA - - - - - -
TREND: Do you currently smoke cigarettes?
Feb 18 Jan 15 2009 2009 Yes 17 14 No 82 86 DK/NA - -
56. How often, if ever, do you drink alcoholic beverages such as liquor, wine or never?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Every day 5% 5% 4% 5% 7% 3% Few days a week 19 14 21 21 23 16 Few days a month 27 28 27 28 28 27 Few days a year 26 29 26 27 19 32 Never 21 23 21 18 23 20 DK/NA 1 1 1 - - 2
TREND: How often, if ever, do you drink alcoholic beverages such as liquor, year or never?
Feb 18 Jan 15 2009 2009 Every day 5 7 Few days a week 19 20 Few days a month 27 26 Few days a year 26 27 Never 21 20 DK/NA 1 1
57. Have you seen the recent television ads which criticize Governor Paterson and his plans to cut funding for hospitals and other health care facilities?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 64% 61% 64% 65% 59% 68% No 35 38 36 35 40 31 DK/NA 1 1 - - - 1
58. Do you think the ads are fair or unfair?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Fair 45% 41% 45% 47% 39% 48% Unfair 45 49 44 45 53 40 DK/NA 10 10 10 8 8 11