Ohio (OH) Poll * December 11, 2008 * State, National Economy Are Ba - Quinnipiac University

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December 11, 2008 - State, National Economy Are Bad, But We're Ok, Ohio Voters Tell Quinnipiac University Poll; Voters Want More School Aid, But Not Higher Taxes

Word format Only 51 percent of Ohio voters say their personal finances are OK, but that's 10 times better than their appraisal of the state and national economies, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
In a series of questions on the economy, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds:
4 percent say the national economy is "excellent" or "good," while 95 percent say it's "not so good" or "poor," 5 percent say the state economy is "excellent" or "good," while 94 percent say "not so good" or "poor;" 51 percent say their personal finances are "excellent" or "good" as 47 percent say "not so good" or "poor."
In an open-ended question, allowing for any answer, 77 percent say the economy is the most important problem facing Ohio today, while only 5 percent list education. And 24 percent of Ohio voters say it is "very likely" or "somewhat likely" that someone in their family will move out of the state for better opportunities in the next year.
"There is no doubt that many, many Ohio families are in dire financial straits, and most say their finances have deteriorated in the last year, but the difference between how people view their own situation and that of the rest of the state and country is striking," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
Voters support 64 - 33 percent Gov. Ted Strickland's position not to raise taxes to balance the state budget. Given a choice, 24 percent prefer raising taxes to keep state services at the current level, while 62 percent say cut programs to keep taxes static.
Support for service cuts over tax hikes is 52 - 33 percent among Democrats, 74 - 14 percent among Republicans and 64 - 24 percent among independent voters. If the axe falls, an overwhelming number, 69 percent, want lawmakers to set priorities and treat different state programs differently. Just 24 percent favor across-the-board spending cuts.
"Gov. Strickland has a 54 percent approval rating and one reason he is popular is that he seems to understand how Ohioans feel," said Brown.
But when it comes to how to improve Ohio's public education system, voters' views are more difficult to categorize. As is the case with the economy, voters are more likely to see their local schools as good or excellent, 69 percent, than schools throughout the state, 50 percent.
Spending in the state's poorer school districts should be increased, 55 percent say, while 4 percent want it cut and 36 percent think it should remain the same.
But when asked if they would support a state tax increase to finance those additional funds for poorer districts, voters are split as 49 percent said yes and 47 percent say no.
To better equalize the amount spent on students in rich and poor school districts, the state should change how schools are funded, voters say 69 - 19 percent.
And voters are prepared 68 - 24 percent to take money from rich districts and give it to poor districts. Even Republicans support this redistribution 58 - 34 percent.
In a somewhat contradictory response, only 25 percent say that if taxes are raised to increase education funding all the money should go to poorer districts, while 66 percent say such new money should be given equally to all districts.
And voters say 49 - 39 percent that a State Board of Education proposal to increase state spending by $1 billion to more equalize school funding is a good idea.
"It's fair to say that Ohio voters want to improve public education, especially in poorer school districts, but there is no consensus about how to do it, and significant opposition to raising taxes to pay for it," said Brown.
From December 4 - 8, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,468 Ohio voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.6 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio and the nation as a public service and for research.
19. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Ohio today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Very satisfied 3% 3% 4% 2% 4% 2% 3% Smwht satisfied 30 31 27 32 32 29 32 Smwht dissatisfied 35 40 35 31 33 36 37 Very dissatisfied 31 24 33 34 30 31 27 DK/NA 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Very satisfied 2% 2% 10% 4% 2% 1% Smwht satisfied 36 25 33 37 32 32 Smwht dissatisfied 32 36 28 40 35 38 Very dissatisfied 29 36 25 18 30 29 DK/NA 1 1 4 2 1 1
TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Ohio today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
Dec 11 Aug 14 Jun 4 Sep 5 Jul 11 Mar 21 Dec 12 2008 2008 2008 2007 2007 2007 2006 Very satisfied 3 3 4 3 4 5 4 Smwht satisfied 30 36 36 46 46 49 33 Smwht dissatisfied 35 37 33 31 30 28 33 Very dissatisfied 31 23 26 18 19 16 29 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
20. What do you think is the most important problem facing Ohio today?
Tot Economy Total 77% Economy general 11 Unemployment/jobs 60 Cost of living 1 Business leaving/Outsourcing 3 Foreclosures/Mortgage crisis 1 Bailouts 1 Education Total 5% Education general 2 Funding education 3 Budget Total 2% Budget general 1 Budget deficits 1 Taxes general 2% Energy crisis/Prices general 1% Healthcare/Costs/Ins/HMO's 1% Governor/State leadership 1% Other 3% DK/NA 3%
TREND: What do you think is the most important problem facing Ohio today? (To save space sub category rows showing 1% or less in current study may have been removed. Totals rows are accurate for date specified.)
Dec 11 Sep 5 Jul 11 Mar 21 Dec 12 2008 2007 2007 2007 2006 Budget/Spending Total 2% 1% 1% 1% 2% Budget general 1 1 1 1 1 Budget deficits 1 - - - - Economy Total 76% 42% 44% 43% 44% Economy general 11 6 4 4 5 Unemployment/jobs 60 33 34 34 35 Businesses leaving/Outsourcing 3 2 4 4 3 Education Total 5% 20% 17% 21% 16% Education general 2 8 7 10 8 Funding education 3 9 9 11 8 Healthcare Total 1% 5% 5% 6% 5% Healthcare/Costs/Insurance/HMO's 1 5 5 4 3 Taxes Total 2% 5% 6% 6% 6% Taxes general 2 4 5 5 4 Other 3 2 2 4 7 DK/NA 3 7 6 7 7
21. (If response given q20) Is that something you think Governor Strickland can do something about or do you think that is beyond a Governor's control?
ANY RESPONSE GIVEN Q20 RESPONSE Q20 Tot Econ Educ Gov can do smthng 57% 55% 73% Beyond Gov control 36 39 22 DK/NA 7 7 5
22. Do you think that Ted Strickland has kept his campaign promises so far or not?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Yes 44% 33% 53% 43% 46% 42% 43% No 26 30 20 29 27 25 27 DK/NA 30 37 26 28 27 33 30 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Yes 50% 39% 47% 52% 43% 44% No 24 28 20 24 29 26 DK/NA 26 33 33 24 28 30
TREND: Do you think that Ted Strickland has kept his campaign promises so far or not?
Dec 11 Aug 14 Jun 4 2008 2008 2008 Yes 44 47 46 No 26 31 30 DK/NA 30 22 24
23. Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Excellent - - - - - - - Good 4 7 2 5 6 3 5 Not so good 27 37 17 30 29 26 31 Poor 68 57 81 65 64 71 64 DK/NA - - - - - - - Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Excellent - - - - - - Good 6 2 8 5 5 4 Not so good 28 26 21 32 29 31 Poor 66 71 70 63 66 65 DK/NA - - - - - -
24. Would you describe the state of Ohio's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Excellent - 1% - - 1% - - Good 5 6 3 6 5 5 5 Not so good 36 44 31 35 37 35 42 Poor 58 48 65 59 56 60 52 DK/NA 1 2 1 1 1 - 1 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Excellent - - - 4% - - Good 8 2 7 4 3 8 Not so good 38 31 37 43 45 34 Poor 51 66 56 46 51 58 DK/NA 3 - - 2 1 -
TREND: Would you describe the state of Ohio's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Dec 11 Aug 14 Jun 4 Jul 11 Mar 21 2008 2008 2008 2007 2007 Excellent - - - 2 1 Good 5 14 18 30 31 Not so good 36 49 42 44 46 Poor 58 36 39 22 21 DK/NA 1 - 1 2 2
25. Would you describe the state of your own personal finances these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Excellent 5% 6% 2% 9% 7% 4% 6% Good 46 61 37 44 50 43 45 Not so good 32 21 40 32 30 33 32 Poor 15 9 20 13 10 19 15 DK/NA 2 1 1 2 3 1 1 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Excellent 7% 5% 6% 3% 7% 3% Good 46 45 38 48 49 52 Not so good 27 32 35 29 35 32 Poor 18 15 21 18 8 12 DK/NA 2 2 - 2 1 1
26. Would you say that you are better off or worse off financially than you were a year ago?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Better off 24% 28% 17% 27% 27% 21% 24% Worse off 55 47 62 54 53 56 50 SAME(VOL) 21 25 21 18 19 22 25 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Better off 25% 23% 20% 24% 22% 30% Worse off 52 56 52 50 58 54 SAME(VOL) 21 20 29 24 18 16 DK/NA 2 1 - 2 1 -
27. During the next 12 months, do you think your own personal finances will get better, get worse, or stay about the same?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Get better 26% 23% 28% 26% 28% 25% 23% Get worse 17 13 19 19 17 18 20 Stay the same 52 60 49 52 52 53 53 DK/NA 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Get better 30% 24% 23% 22% 26% 30% Get worse 13 18 16 16 22 19 Stay the same 52 54 55 55 48 48 DK/NA 5 3 7 7 4 3
TREND: During the next 12 months, do you think your own personal finances will get better, get worse, or stay about the same? (*personal financial situation)
Dec 11 Feb 25 2008 2008 * Get better 26 29 Get worse 17 12 Stay the same 52 57 DK/NA 4 2
28. How likely do you think it is that you, or someone in your family, will move out of the state for better opportunities in the next year? Would you say it is very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely, or very unlikely?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Very likely 11% 6% 11% 12% 10% 11% 9% Somewhat likely 13 13 16 12 13 14 12 Somewhat unlikely 15 13 16 17 15 15 14 Very unlikely 60 68 56 57 61 59 65 DK/NA 1 - 1 1 1 1 - Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Very likely 11% 12% 11% 8% 7% 11% Somewhat likely 7 14 21 20 11 16 Somewhat unlikely 12 14 16 17 22 14 Very unlikely 70 59 51 56 58 58 DK/NA 1 1 1 - 1 1
TREND: How likely do you think it is that you, or someone in your family, will move out of the state for better opportunities in the next year? Would you say it is very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely, or very unlikely?
Dec 11 Aug 14 Jun 4 Jul 11 2008 2008 2008 2007 Very likely 11 11 14 13 Smwht likely 13 16 14 15 Smwht unlikely 15 15 13 16 Very unlikely 60 57 58 56 DK/NA 1 1 1 1
29. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ted Strickland is handling the state budget?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 41% 30% 48% 42% 45% 37% 39% Disapprove 31 40 24 31 32 29 30 DK/NA 29 30 27 28 22 34 32 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 47% 38% 45% 47% 35% 41% Disapprove 32 28 31 21 36 34 DK/NA 21 34 23 32 29 26
30. To balance the state budget next year, if you had to choose, which would you prefer - raising taxes to keep state services at their current level or cutting state services to keep taxes at their current level?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Raising taxes 24% 14% 33% 24% 21% 27% 19% Cutting services 62 74 52 64 70 56 65 DK/NA 13 12 14 12 9 17 16 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Raising taxes 22% 26% 19% 24% 22% 28% Cutting services 59 62 67 54 68 65 DK/NA 19 12 15 22 11 7
31. Governor Strickland has ruled out raising state taxes to alleviate Ohio's budget situation. Do you agree with him that taxes should not be raised, or do you think that some tax increase should be considered?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl No tax increases 64% 74% 53% 65% 68% 60% 66% Consider increases 33 22 43 32 30 35 30 DK/NA 3 3 4 3 2 5 4 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt No tax increases 60% 61% 69% 65% 69% 67% Consider increases 36 36 29 29 27 31 DK/NA 4 3 2 6 3 2
32. If state budget cuts are necessary, which would you prefer? That the state legislature implement across-the-board spending cuts or make specific cuts on a case-by-case basis?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Across-the-board 24% 28% 21% 23% 27% 22% 29% Case-by-case 69 67 71 72 68 70 62 DK/NA 6 5 8 5 5 8 9 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Across-the-board 17% 27% 26% 26% 28% 22% Case-by-case 74 68 69 61 66 73 DK/NA 10 5 5 13 5 4
33. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ted Strickland is handling education?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 41% 29% 54% 36% 43% 39% 39% Disapprove 34 42 24 36 32 35 36 DK/NA 26 29 21 28 25 26 26 HvKidsIn Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt PubSch Approve 46% 37% 43% 50% 38% 40% 38% Disapprove 30 37 30 33 34 34 38 DK/NA 24 26 27 17 28 27 23
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ted Strickland is handling education? (*Governor Strickland)
Dec 11 May 15 2008 2005 * Approve 41 41 Disapprove 34 30 DK/NA 26 29
34. How would you rate the quality of Ohio's public schools - excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Excellent 5% 6% 6% 3% 5% 5% 5% Good 45 45 46 43 47 43 43 Not so good 33 34 33 34 31 35 37 Poor 13 13 11 14 14 12 11 DK/NA 4 2 4 6 3 5 4 HvKidsIn Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt PubSch Excellent 2% 4% 3% 14% 6% 6% 7% Good 48 38 54 46 46 52 50 Not so good 35 36 31 30 34 26 25 Poor 13 16 8 8 10 11 13 DK/NA 2 5 4 3 4 5 4
TREND: How would you rate the quality of Ohio's public schools - excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Dec 11 May 15 Mar 21 Feb 1 Dec 12 2008 2007 2007 2007 2006 Excellent 5 4 4 5 4 Good 45 41 42 43 41 Not so good 33 33 33 29 30 Poor 13 17 18 19 20 DK/NA 4 5 4 5 5
35. How would you rate the quality of the public schools in your community - excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Excellent 22% 25% 19% 20% 22% 21% 20% Good 47 47 49 48 50 45 47 Not so good 18 17 20 18 16 20 20 Poor 11 8 11 13 10 11 10 DK/NA 2 3 1 1 2 2 3 HvKidsIn Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt PubSch Excellent 19% 24% 20% 15% 21% 25% 32% Good 49 45 54 43 48 46 47 Not so good 21 16 15 28 20 15 10 Poor 6 12 10 13 10 12 11 DK/NA 5 2 1 1 1 2 -
TREND: How would you rate the quality of the public schools in your community - excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Dec 11 May 15 Feb 1 2008 2007 2007 Excellent 22 23 24 Good 47 43 44 Not so good 18 19 18 Poor 11 11 12 DK/NA 2 4 3
36. Do you think state spending on the public schools in Ohio's poorer school districts should be increased, decreased, or kept about the same?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Increased 55% 44% 67% 53% 53% 58% 49% Decreased 4 3 4 5 5 3 4 Kept the same 36 47 26 37 37 34 43 DK/NA 5 6 3 6 5 5 4 HvKidsIn Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt PubSch Increased 63% 60% 42% 64% 40% 57% 58% Decreased 2 5 2 1 6 5 4 Kept the same 31 30 53 33 49 31 35 DK/NA 5 5 3 2 5 7 2
TREND: Do you think state spending on the public schools in Ohio's poorer school districts should be increased, decreased, or kept about the same?
Dec 11 Mar 21 Feb 1 2008 2007 2007 Increased 55 67 70 Decreased 4 4 2 Kept the same 36 24 22 DK/NA 5 5 5
37. Would you support or oppose an increase in state taxes to make sure that more money is spent on the public schools in Ohio's poorer school districts?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Support 49% 37% 63% 45% 43% 54% 45% Oppose 47 60 33 50 53 41 52 DK/NA 4 4 4 4 4 5 4 HvKidsIn Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt PubSch Support 54% 51% 47% 56% 38% 50% 53% Oppose 42 45 51 40 59 45 42 DK/NA 5 5 3 4 3 5 4
TREND: Would you support or oppose an increase in state taxes to make sure that more money is spent on the public schools in Ohio's poorer school districts?
Dec 11 Mar 21 Feb 1 2008 2007 2007 Support 49% 48 47 Oppose 47 47 47 DK/NA 4 5 6
38. In order to reduce the difference between how much money is spent on students in wealthier districts and poorer districts, do you think it is a good idea or a bad idea for the state to change how schools are funded?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Good idea 69% 66% 68% 72% 70% 68% 65% Bad idea 19 20 19 16 22 16 19 DK/NA 13 14 13 11 8 17 16 HvKidsIn Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt PubSch Good idea 71% 72% 67% 70% 60% 67% 68% Bad idea 17 15 21 14 27 22 20 DK/NA 12 13 12 16 13 11 12
39. Do you think that the amount of money that goes to education in Ohio should or should not be the same for all students, even if it means taking funding from some wealthy school districts and giving it to poor districts?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Should be the same 68% 58% 76% 66% 62% 73% 69% Should not 24 34 16 26 31 19 25 DK/NA 8 8 7 8 7 9 7 HvKidsIn Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt PubSch Should be the same 72% 65% 76% 78% 61% 66% 71% Should not 21 27 19 10 30 26 25 DK/NA 6 8 5 13 9 8 4
40. In your opinion, how much does the amount of money spent on a public school student's education affect the quality of his or her education - A great deal, some, not much or not at all?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl A great deal 41% 29% 51% 40% 35% 46% 37% Some 39 43 36 39 38 39 41 Not much 13 18 7 16 18 9 13 Not at all 5 7 4 4 6 5 6 DK/NA 2 3 2 2 2 2 3 HvKidsIn Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt PubSch A great deal 49% 40% 46% 51% 34% 31% 49% Some 35 39 32 40 40 46 31 Not much 10 13 14 5 17 15 14 Not at all 3 6 6 3 7 5 5 DK/NA 4 2 2 1 1 2 1
41. Do you think the quality of education that the public school children in your district are receiving is better, worse or about the same as most other public school children in the state?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Better 36% 40% 36% 33% 39% 34% 28% Worse 14 10 18 13 11 17 14 About the same 45 45 41 49 46 44 52 DK/NA 5 5 5 5 4 6 5 HvKidsIn Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt PubSch Better 37% 42% 29% 19% 35% 33% 42% Worse 15 13 9 20 16 13 13 About the same 43 39 59 60 44 51 41 DK/NA 5 6 3 2 5 4 4
42. Governor Strickland has not yet revealed details for his education funding plan but says that if the legislature does not adopt it he would put it on the ballot for voters to decide. Who do you think should make decisions on changing Ohio's school funding formula - The state legislature or The voters?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Legislature 18% 17% 19% 18% 22% 14% 15% Voters 79 80 77 79 76 81 83 DK/NA 4 3 5 3 2 5 2 HvKidsIn Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt PubSch Legislature 23% 17% 12% 19% 14% 22% 16% Voters 75 79 86 76 84 72 81 DK/NA 2 4 2 5 2 6 3
43. If state taxes are raised to increase education funding, do you think that all of the money should go to Ohio's poorer school districts or that the money should be distributed equally to all districts?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Poorer districts 25% 16% 34% 22% 22% 28% 23% Equally to all 66 75 57 67 70 62 70 DK/NA 9 9 8 11 8 9 7 HvKidsIn Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt PubSch Poorer districts 32% 25% 19% 34% 18% 26% 26% Equally to all 59 66 74 63 72 63 69 DK/NA 9 10 7 4 9 11 6
44. Do you think other state programs should be cut in order to provide more money for education, or not?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Yes 39% 37% 41% 38% 44% 34% 39% No 46 47 46 46 44 48 47 DK/NA 15 16 14 16 12 18 14 HvKidsIn Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt PubSch Yes 41% 38% 34% 41% 39% 42% 46% No 43 48 56 36 45 41 41 DK/NA 16 14 10 23 16 17 12
45. The state Board of Education wants to increase funding for public education by about $1 billion annually in order to more equalize per student school funding. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Good idea 49% 36% 60% 47% 49% 49% 41% Bad idea 39 50 29 42 42 37 45 DK/NA 12 13 11 11 10 14 14 HvKidsIn Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt PubSch Good idea 51% 50% 51% 58% 35% 51% 53% Bad idea 36 37 38 27 54 40 39 DK/NA 13 13 10 15 11 10 7