New York State (NY) Poll * December 13, 2006 * New York Voters Split On Wheth - Quinnipiac University

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December 13, 2006 - New York Voters Split On Whether Hevesi Should Quit, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Most Oppose Closing Hospitals

New York State voters split on whether State Comptroller Alan Hevesi should remain in office, with 45 percent who say he should resign and 43 percent who say he has paid the state and should stay in office, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Eighty-four percent of voters have read or heard something about Comptroller Hevesi using a state employee to drive his wife on private business.
Democrats say 49 - 37 percent that Hevesi should stay, while Republicans say 52 - 34 percent that he should resign, and independent voters say 52 - 40 percent that he should go, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.
Among those who say Hevesi should resign, 56 percent say that if he doesn't, he should be removed by Eliot Spitzer when Spitzer becomes Governor in January, and 36 percent say he should be impeached by the State Legislature.
Hevesi gets a negative 17 - 24 percent favorability rating, with 24 percent mixed and 32 percent who haven't heard enough about him to form an opinion.
"Just about everybody in New York knows the 'Driving Mrs. Hevesi' story by now. Even though politicians seem to agree that Comptroller Alan Hevesi has to go, he gets a split decision from the voters. His fellow Democrats want him to stay in office. Republicans and independents want him out," said Maurice Carroll, Director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"But Hevesi has substantial support in all demographic groups," Carroll added.
"Almost half the voters say he's repaid the state and that's enough. But almost half say he should quit." Hospital Closings
New York State voters oppose 71 - 18 percent a recommendation by a special state commission to close nine hospitals and merge several others.
Only 8 percent of voters say more hospitals should be closed in the state, with 82 percent opposed to closing more hospitals.
And voters say 68 - 26 percent that there are no hospitals in their community that can be closed or consolidated with other hospitals.
"Close hospitals? No way, New Yorkers say.
"The take-it-or-leave-it hospital closing plan by the Berger Commission -- denying the chance to pick it apart by pieces - has been swallowed by the big interest groups, hospital management and labor. But there's not a single demographic group in the Quinnipiac University poll that likes the idea," Carroll said.
"Not only does the closing plan get thumbs down, voters also say 'Not In My Back Yard' to any other hospital closings."
From December 5 - 11, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,144 New York State registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.9 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 -- www.quinnipiac.edu and click on Institutes and Centers, or call (203) 582-5201.
8. To stabilize the healthcare industry in New York, the Commission on Health Care Facilities has recommended closing 9 hospitals in New York and merging several others. Do you support or oppose this plan?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 18% 20% 16% 22% 22% 15% Oppose 71 70 74 64 67 74 DK/NA 11 10 10 14 11 11 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Support 15% 21% 20% 15% 22% Oppose 79 68 69 75 66 DK/NA 6 12 11 10 12
9. Do you think more hospitals should be closed in the state?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 8% 12% 6% 10% 11% 7% No 82 77 87 75 78 84 DK/NA 10 12 7 14 11 9 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes 10% 8% 9% 7% 10% No 82 80 80 85 79 DK/NA 8 12 11 8 11
10. Do you think there are hospitals in your community that can be closed or consolidated with other hospitals?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 26% 26% 25% 30% 27% 26% No 68 69 70 65 65 71 DK/NA 5 6 5 5 7 4 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes 34% 26% 27% 29% 20% No 64 70 69 63 76 DK/NA 2 4 4 8 4
18. Is your opinion of Alan Hevesi favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 17% 16% 22% 11% 19% 16% Unfavorable 24 32 16 31 29 19 Mixed 24 19 27 28 21 28 Hvn't hrd enough 32 32 31 29 30 34 REFUSED 2 1 4 - 2 3 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Favorable 15% 15% 15% 20% 17% Unfavorable 24 27 27 20 25 Mixed 25 20 20 28 27 Hvn't hrd enough 36 36 36 29 31 REFUSED 1 3 2 3 1
TREND: Is your opinion of Alan Hevesi favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him? * - title "State Comptroller" included in question
Dec 13 Oct 4 2006 2006 * Favorable 17 23 Unfavorable 24 8 Mixed 24 21 Hvn't hrd enough 32 47 REFUSED 2 -
19. Have you heard or read anything about State Comptroller Alan Hevesi using state employees to chauffeur his wife on private business?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 84% 86% 80% 88% 88% 81% No 14 14 17 11 11 16 DK/NA 2 - 3 - - 3 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes 81% 86% 85% 83% 83% No 18 12 13 16 13 DK/NA 2 1 1 1 4
20. Which comes closer to your view about Alan Hevesi -- A) he has repaid the state and should stay in office, or B) he should resign from office?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom A) Stay in office 43% 34% 49% 40% 40% 44% B) Resign from office 45 52 37 52 51 41 DK/NA 12 14 14 8 8 15 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub A) Stay in office 26% 37% 36% 51% 41% B) Resign from office 65 51 53 35 48 DK/NA 9 12 12 13 11
21. (If "resign" q20) If Alan Hevesi refuses to resign from office do you think that -- A) He should be removed by Elliot Spitzer when Spitzer becomes Governor, or B) He should be impeached by the state legislature?
SHOULD RESIGN Q20.......................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom A) Removed by Spitzer 56% 64% 53% 54% 50% 63% B) Impeached by leg 36 32 36 39 44 28 DK/NA 7 5 11 6 6 9