5/27: About Four in Ten Prefer Dentist’s Visit to Swimsuit Shopping

Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of summer which means one thing — bathing suit season.  And, just the thought of squeezing into those skimpy garments strikes fear in the hearts of a good amount of Americans.

Click Here for Complete May 27, 2011 USA Marist Poll Release and Tables

According to this national Marist Poll, although a majority of residents — 55% — would rather shop for a bathing suit than visit the dentist, a sizeable proportion — 41% — would prefer to take a trip to their dentist.  Four percent are unsure.

Women are more reluctant than men to shop for a swimsuit.  A slim majority of women — 51% — would prefer to rummage through racks of swimsuits while 44% say they would rather sit in the dentist’s chair.  Five percent are unsure.  Among men, 59% think shopping for a bathing suit is the lesser of two evils while 38% believe going to the dentist is.  Three percent can’t choose.

Looking at age, 59% of residents younger than 45 years old choose purchasing a swimsuit over going to the dentist while 39% select the opposite.  Two percent are unsure.  52% of those 45 and older report they would prefer to shop for a bathing suit while 43% say they would rather visit the dentist.  Five percent can’t decide between the two.

Table: Bathing Suit Shopping vs. Going to the Dentist

Marist Poll Methodology

5/24: Michelle Obama Remains Fine First Lady

First Lady Michelle Obama is perceived favorably by about two-thirds of American voters.  According to this Marist Poll, 66% of voters think well of Mrs. Obama while 17% do not.  17% are unsure how to rate her.

Click Here for Complete May 24, 2011 USA Marist Poll Release and Tables

Michelle Obama continues to be well-received by voters.  When Marist last reported this question in September, 65% thought highly of Mrs. Obama while 24% had an unfavorable view of her.  11%, at the time, were unsure how to rate her.

Mrs. Obama has grown in favor among the youngest voters.  83% of those 18 to 29 currently say they have a positive impression of Mrs. Obama compared with 71% who felt that way in September.

Table: Michelle Obama Favorability

Table: Michelle Obama Favorability Over Time

Marist Poll Methodology

5/17: Hydrofracking in NYS: No Consensus Among Residents … About One in Five Unsure

Hydraulic fracturing, more commonly known as hydrofracking, is the process of extracting natural gas from underground rock formations.  And, it’s increasingly becoming a topic for debate in New York State.  Where do New Yorkers stand on the issue?

Click Here for Complete May 17, 2011 NYS NY1/YNN-Marist Poll Release and Tables

According to this NY1/YNN-Marist Poll, New Yorkers divide on the issue.  41% oppose hydrofracking while 38% support it.  A notable 21% are unsure.  Similar proportions of registered voters statewide share these views.

Regionally, there’s no majority on either side of the ledger.  47% of those upstate are against hydrofracking while 37% support it.  39% in New York City oppose the process while 35% favor it.  However, in the suburbs of New York City, 46% are for hydrofracking while 36% are against it.

There are partisan differences on this question.  While pluralities of Democrats — 47% — and non-enrolled voters — 46% — oppose the process, nearly half of Republicans — 49%– support it.

“Many New Yorkers have yet to weigh in on this issue,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  ”The question is what will happen to the public’s opinion about hydrofracking as both sides make their case.”

Table: Support for Hydrofracking in NYS

The Nitty-Gritty of Hydrofracking: Environmental Concerns Trump Oil Independence … Jobs

There are compelling arguments, both, for and against hydrofracking.  Those who support it say it will make us more independent from foreign oil.  Those who oppose it argue it will contaminate the community water supply and the environment.  Which do New Yorkers think is more important?

A majority statewide — 56% — choose preserving the water supply as a priority.  However, almost four in ten residents — 39% — select oil independence.  Five percent are unsure.

Although the desire to preserve the community water supply is the choice of a majority of New Yorkers regardless of region, those in New York City — 60% — and in its suburbs — 57% — are more likely to say so.  This compares with 51% upstate.

More than six in ten Democrats — 62% — and a majority of those not enrolled in any party — 57% — report environmental concerns top that of foreign oil dependence.  Republicans divide.  49% believe preserving the water supply is more important compared with 47% who say independence from foreign oil should be the higher concern.

When stacked up against creating jobs, environmental concerns still outweigh economic ones.  A majority — 52% — believe preserving the water supply should be of the utmost importance while 41% say creating jobs should be the top priority.  Six percent are unsure.

Once again, majorities of Democrats — 59% — and New York State voters not belonging to a party — 58% — place more importance on the environment while Republicans divide.  47% of Republicans choose preserving the water supply.  An additional 47%, though, say creating jobs trumps environmental concerns.

Residents in the New York City suburbs — 58% — are most likely to place importance on preserving the water supply from contamination.  52% of those upstate and half — 50% — of those in New York City agree with this view.

Table: Importance of Oil Independence vs. Preserving the Water Supply
Table: Creating Jobs vs. Preserving the Water Supply

One in Four New York City Residents Don’t Know Source of Their Water

While 75% of those living in New York City correctly identify upstate reservoirs as their primary source of water, 25% do not.  Included in this 25% are 11% who think they get their water mostly from the Hudson River, 1% who report it comes from the Long Island Sound, and 13% who are unsure.

Table: Primary Source of NYC Water

NY1/YNN-Marist Poll Methodology

5/13: Corn Crowned King of Vegetables by More Than Seven in Ten in NYS

Legislators in New York State have a very important task at hand – deciding the state vegetable.  The contenders are corn and the onion.  Which do New Yorkers want to represent the state?  According to this NY1/YNN-Marist Poll, corn reigns supreme.

Click Here for Complete May 13, 2011 NYS NY1/YNN-Marist Poll Release and Tables

71% of adults statewide want corn to be the state vegetable while one in four — 25% — prefer the onion.  Only 4% are unsure.

“Like New York, onions have many layers.  But, residents aren’t willing to peel back the onion and examine its many attributes,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  “For most, it’s corn all the way.”

This vegetable preference crosses party lines.  And, while corn is the top pick regardless of region, some in New York City have a more pungent taste.  While 64% select corn, 32% pick the onion.

Table: New York State Vegetable

NY1/YNN-Marist Poll Methodology

5/12: NY May Bid Farewell to 36% of Young Residents

A sizeable proportion of New Yorkers, including more than one-third of those under age 30, may soon be sending out change of address notifications, but those new homes will not be in New York State.  According to this NY1/YNN-Marist Poll, 26% of adults in New York State plan to move someplace else in the next five years while 67% say they will stay.  Just 6% are unsure.  Similar proportions of registered voters statewide share this view.

Click Here for Complete May 12, 2011 NYS NY1/YNN-Marist Poll Release and Tables

The picture is even bleaker when looking at the state’s youngest residents.  36% of New Yorkers under 30 years old report they will pack their bags and move to another state.  60%, however, say they will remain in the Empire State, and 3% are unsure.

“New Yorkers are feeling the financial squeeze on the home front.  Right now, many young people do not see their future in New York State,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  “Unchecked, this threatens to drain the state of the next generation.”

Older New Yorkers are less likely to move out of New York State in the next five years.  26% of those 30 to 44, 29% of residents 45 to 59, and 16% of those 60 and older think they will switch their state of residence.

Regionally, about one-third — 33% — of those in the suburbs of New York City, 26% of those upstate, and 24% of New York City residents report they will make their exit.

As to the reasons New Yorkers are planning their exit strategies:

• Of residents who expect to leave New York, more than six in ten — 62% — cite economic reasons like jobs, the cost of living, or taxes.  38%, however, report non-economic reasons such as the proximity to family, overcrowding, quality of life, schools, or retirement as the catalyst.

Table: Plan to Move Out of New York State?

Table: Reason Behind Plans to Move Out of State

Cost of Living: Few View NYS as Affordable

More than three in four adults statewide — 77% — perceive New York to be an expensive place to live for the average family.  Included here are a majority — 55% — who say the overall cost of living is not very affordable and 22% who report it is not affordable at all.  However, 22% say it is affordable while only 1% thinks it is very affordable.  Similar proportions of registered voters in New York State share these views.

Adults in the suburbs of New York City — 87% — and in the city — 80% — are more likely to describe the cost of living in the state as not affordable compared with those upstate — 65%.

Other Key Findings Include:

• Nearly seven in ten registered voters statewide — 69% — want property taxes to be capped so that they do not rise more than two percent annually.  26% do not, however, for fear that such a cap will cause cuts to local services or raise other taxes.  Five percent are unsure.  There has been relatively no change on this question since NY1/YNN-Marist last reported it in January.
• More than three in four employed adults in New York State — 76% — say it would be either very difficult or difficult to find a similar job about the same distance from their home if they lost their current position.  Included here are 46% who report it would be very difficult and 30% who say it would be difficult.  19%, though, don’t think it would be very difficult while 5% believe it would not be difficult at all.
• When it comes to their overall personal family finances, more New York State voters think they will see a change in their family’s financial picture in the upcoming year.  Currently, 47% believe their financial situation will stay about the same while a majority — 54% — thought that way in February.  More than three in ten — 31% — expect their money matters to get better while 22% think they will get worse.  In February, 27% believed an improvement was on the way while 19% expected their finances to diminish.

Table: Cost of Living in NYS

Table: Property Tax Cap

Table: Alternative Employment Near Home

Table: Family Finances in the Coming Year

Table: Family Finances in the Coming Year Over Time

Slight Increase in Voters Who Think NYS Economy is Getting Worse

Although 47% of registered voters statewide believe New York’s economy is about the same as it has been, there has been a slight bump in the proportion who thinks the economy is declining.  37% of registered voters currently report the state’s economy is getting worse compared with 16% who say it is getting better.

When NY1/YNN-Marist last reported this question in early February, half of voters — 50% — said the economy was about the same as it had been previously, 31% thought it was getting worse, and 19% believed it was improving.

“As the state of the economy fails to recover, New Yorkers see this not as a sluggish rebound but as a sluggish economy,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.

Although there has been little change among Republicans on this question, more non-enrolled voters and Democrats view the economy as deteriorating.  Nearly half of non-enrolled voters — 48% — believe this to currently be the case while about one-third — 33% — thought this way in February.  Among Democrats, 34% have this perception now compared with 26% who said the state’s economy was declining a few months ago.

Table: New York State Economy

Table: New York State Economy Over Time

 

Economic Glass Half Full or Half Empty: Majority Predict More Bad News

Pessimism about the future of the statewide economy has grown.  A majority of registered voters in New York — 53% — say, when thinking about the economy, the worst is yet to come.  44% are more upbeat and report the worst is behind us, and just 4% are unsure.

When NY1/YNN-Marist last reported this question in early February, voters divided.  At that time, nearly half — 49% — believed the worst was over while 47% thought the worst was ahead.  Four percent were unsure.

While there has been little change among Republicans, there has been a shift among non-enrolled and Democratic voters.  Currently, a majority of non-enrolled voters — 55% — say the worst is yet to come while 42% think the worst is over.  Opinions among non-enrolled voters have flipped since February when a majority — 52% — believed the worst was over while 45% thought the worst was yet to come.

Democrats now divide.  46% of these voters expect more economic challenges in the future while 48% say they are in the past.  A few months ago, 40% said more bad news was ahead while a majority — 56% — predicted the worst was over.  Among Republicans, 60% think the worst is yet to come compared with 37% who report the worst is over.  A few months ago, those proportions stood at 57% and 39%, respectively.

While there has been little change in the proportion of voters in New York City’s suburbs — 48% — who think the worst of the economy’s problems are ahead, more voters upstate — 57% — and those in New York City — 50% — have this view.  In early February, the proportions in each of these regions stood at 49%, 48%, and 45%, respectively.

Table: NYS Economy – Will it Get Worse?

NY1/YNN-Marist Poll Methodology

 

5/11: NYS Residents Divide Over Same-Sex Marriage

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo is a proponent of legalizing same-sex marriage in New York State.  But, do New Yorkers agree?  A majority of New Yorkers hold a traditional view of marriage and believe marriage should be between a man and a woman.  That said, half of the state’s residents also agree with the governor that gay marriage should be legalized in the state.  This difference is primarily due to a small proportion of New Yorkers who despite believing marriage should be between a man and a woman also share the view that same-sex marriage should be legalized in the state.

Click Here for Complete May 11, 2011 NYS NY1/YNN-Marist Poll Release and Tables

According to this NY1/YNN-Marist Poll, a majority of adults in New York — 53% — say marriage should only be between a man and a woman.  46% do not agree with that definition, and 2% are unsure.

Registered voters also divide on how marriage should be defined.  51% believe marriage is only between a man and a woman while 47% do not share this view.  Two percent are unsure.

More than three in four Republicans — 76% — believe that marriage should only take place between a man and a woman while majorities of Democrats — 58% — and those not belonging to a political party — 55% — define marriage differently.

Regionally, nearly six in ten upstate New Yorkers — 59% — and 52% of those in New York City think marriage should only take place between a man and a woman.  However, a majority of those living in the city’s suburbs — 55% — believe that description should be revised.

Men and women differ here as well.  Nearly six in ten men — 58% — compared with 47% of women adhere to the traditional definition of marriage.

Still, 8% of those who do believe in a traditional definition of marriage favor legalizing same-sex marriage.  This compares with the overwhelming proportion — 92% — of those who do not adhere to a traditional definition who support legalizing gay marriage.

On the issue of legalizing same-sex marriage, residents divide.  Half of New York State adults — 50% — say gay and lesbian couples should be allowed to legally marry in the state.  25% report they should be allowed to legally form civil unions but not to marry while an additional 25% believe there should be no legal recognition of the relationship between gay and lesbian couples.

Registered voters do not significantly differ in opinion from adults as a whole.  Among registered voters, 51% favor legalizing gay marriage while 28% support civil unions but not marriage for gay and lesbian couples.  Slightly more than one in five voters — 21% — doesn’t believe there should be any recognition of gay and lesbian relationships.

Majorities of Democrats — 57% — and New Yorkers not enrolled in any political party — 56% — think gay marriage should be legally recognized in the state of New York.  However, there is very little consensus among Republicans statewide.  37% support civil unions.  32% believe there should not be any recognition of gay and lesbian relationships while three in ten — 30% — say gay marriage should be legalized.

There are also regional and gender differences on this issue.  Majorities in New York City — 56% — and in the city’s suburbs — 53% — support legalizing gay marriage.  But only 41% of those upstate agree.  Women — 55% — are more likely than men statewide — 44% — to approve of legalizing gay marriage.

Table: Defining Marriage in New York State

Table: Legalizing Gay Marriage in New York State

NY1/YNN-Marist Poll Methodology

5/10: Majority Approve of Cuomo’s Handling of Budget … Believe Budget Benefits the State

New York State’s budget has historically been a point of political contention.  However, a majority of voters statewide approve of the way Governor Andrew Cuomo is dealing with the budget.  A majority also thinks the budget, passed in March, is good for New York State and for business.  However, voters are less positive about the budget’s impact on middle class and poor families in the state.

Click Here for Complete May 10, 2011 NYS NY1/YNN-Marist Poll Release and Tables

54% of registered voters statewide approve of Governor Cuomo’s handling of the budget.  35% disapprove, and 11% are unsure.

“Governor Cuomo’s handling of the budget matches his overall approval rating,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  “Clearly, New York State voters wanted action on the state budget and are reacting favorably to the changes he has made.”

Both Democrats and Republicans give Cuomo a thumbs-up.  Nearly six in ten Democrats — 58% — and 56% of Republicans think Cuomo is tackling the budget in the appropriate way.  A plurality of non-enrolled voters — 47% — agree.

Regionally, six in ten voters in New York City’s suburbs — 60% — approve of how Cuomo is dealing with the budget.  53% of upstate voters and 52% of those in New York City share this view.

How do voters feel about the budget passed by Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature in March?  A majority of New York State voters — 56% — think it’s a good thing for the state.  However, three in ten voters — 30% — say it’s a bad thing.  14% are unsure.

More than six in ten Democratic voters — 63% — and a majority of non-enrolled voters — 52% — believe the budget benefits New York.  Nearly half of Republican voters — 49% — agree.

Suburban voters — 67% — are the most positive about the budget while 57% of those upstate think it is a good thing for New York.  A plurality of voters in New York City — 47% — applaud the legislation.

Other key findings on the budget include:

• A majority of voters say the budget is a boon for business in New York State.  53% report the budget is a good thing for business in the Empire State while one in four — 25% — think it is a bad thing.  A notable 22% are unsure.
• On the home front, voters have mixed feelings about the budget.  When it comes to middle class families, 49% of registered voters statewide believe the budget to be a good thing, 37% report the budget is a bad thing for these families, and 14% are unsure.
• Voters are much more divided about the budget’s impact on poor families.  A plurality — 43% — report the budget is a bad thing for these families while 38% believe it is a good thing.  Almost one in five — 19% — are unsure.

Table: Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Dealing with the Budget

Table: NYS Budget: Good for New York State?

Table: NYS Budget: Good for Business?

Table: NYS Budget: Good for Middle Class Families?

Table: NYS Budget: Good for Poor Families?

Labor of Love? Nearly Half Approve of Cuomo’s Dealing with Unions

48% of registered voters statewide approve of how Governor Cuomo is dealing with labor unions.  29% disapprove, and 22% are unsure.

While a majority of Democrats — 52% — and half of Republicans — 50% — agree with how Cuomo interacts with labor unions, just 42% of non-enrolled voters agree.

There are regional differences on this question.  Nearly six in ten voters in New York City — 57% — think Cuomo’s approach toward labor unions is on target.  Nearly half of those in the suburbs of New York City — 49% — and 43% of those upstate share this view.

What do voters think should happen when the contracts of union workers come due?  Most voters want changes to how workers receive wage increases.  More than four in ten voters — 41% — want merit based wage increases.  24% think union workers should receive a cost of living raise but no more while 16% say they should not receive any pay raises.  Just 17% believe union workers should be given wage increases like the ones they were previously given.  Only 2% are unsure.

Table: Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Dealing with Labor Unions

Table: Union Wage Contracts (NYS)

NY1/YNN-Marist Poll Methodology

5/9: Cuomo Keeping Campaign Promises … Approval Rating Grows

Cuomo Keeping Campaign Promises … Approval Rating Grows

With four months in office under his belt, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo is receiving high marks from the New York State electorate.  Nearly two thirds of registered voters — 64% — say he is fulfilling the promises he made on the campaign trail.  The governor also enjoys an increase in his job approval rating which now stands at 54% and a high favorability rating.

Click Here for Complete May 9, 2011 NYS NY1/YNN-Marist Poll Release and Tables

Many voters believe Governor Cuomo is fulfilling his campaign promises.  64% think this to be the case while 23% say he is not keeping his word.  13% are unsure.  This is a 10 percentage point increase from when NY1/YNN-Marist last asked this question in January.  At that time, 54% said Cuomo was making good on his promises, and 20% reported he was not.  26%, at the time, were unsure.

“Governor Cuomo is off to a strong start,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  ”He’s sticking to the political adage, ‘Say you are going to do it, do it, and say you’ve done it.’”

There has been an increase in the proportions of both Democrats and Republicans who think Cuomo is making good on his word.  67% of Democratic voters and 72% of Republican voters have this view while 57% and 52%, respectively, thought this way in January.  There has been little change among non-enrolled voters on this question.  A majority of these voters — 55% — believe Cuomo is fulfilling his campaign promises while the same proportion — 55% — shared this view earlier this year.

While there has been little change among New York City voters on this question, the proportion of upstate voters — 70% — and those in the suburbs of New York City — 64% — have grown.  In January, 54% of those upstate and 51% of those in the city’s suburbs held this opinion.  In New York City, 55% think Cuomo has been true to his word while 56% thought this way in January.

On the specifics of Cuomo’s image, other key highlights include:

• 72% of voters report Mr. Cuomo is a good leader for New York State.  16% think he is not, and 12% are unsure.  Similar proportions shared these views in January.
• More than six in ten voters — 63% — think the governor represents all regions of New York State while 28% do not.  Nine percent are unsure.  There has been relatively little change on this question from NY1/YNN-Marist’s January survey.
• More than six in ten registered voters — 62% — believe Governor Cuomo is changing the way things work in Albany for the better.  27% disagree, and 11% are unsure.  In January, those proportions stood at 58%, 23%, and 19%, respectively.
• Governor Cuomo is perceived as a political moderate by a majority — 52% — of the New York State electorate.  Nearly one in five voters — 19% — view him as a liberal while 17% think he is a conservative.  12% are unsure.
• While a majority of New York State voters still perceive Cuomo to be a moderate, fewer view him to be a liberal, and slightly more voters think he is a conservative.  In January, 55% described the governor as a moderate, 26% said he was a liberal, and 12% said Cuomo was a conservative.  Eight percent, at the time, were unsure.

Table: Governor Andrew Cuomo Fulfilling Campaign Promises
Table: Governor Andrew Cuomo as Leader
Table: Governor Andrew Cuomo as Representing All NYS Regions
Table: Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Impact on Albany
Table: Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Ideology

Bump in Cuomo’s Approval Rating … High Favorability Continues

When it comes to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s approval rating, 54% of registered voters statewide report Cuomo is doing either an excellent or good job in office.  This includes 10% who believe he is doing an excellent job and 44% who think he is doing a good one.  He receives a fair rating from 31% of voters while just 6% say he is performing poorly.  Nine percent are unsure how to rate him.

There has been a six percentage point increase in Mr. Cuomo’s approval rating.  In January, 48% gave him high marks.  28% said he was doing a fair job, and only 5% thought he missed the mark.  At that time, a notable 19% were unsure how to rate him.

Governor Andrew Cuomo’s approval rating has surpassed that of his father, former New York State Governor Mario Cuomo, during his first months in office.  When Marist reported Mario Cuomo’s approval rating in June of 1983, half of the statewide electorate — 50% — gave him a thumbs-up.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has gained favor with Republicans.  More than six in ten Republican voters — 62% — statewide approve of the job Mr. Cuomo is doing while 43% of Republicans thought that way in January.  There has been little change among Democrats and non-enrolled voters.  56% of Democrats and 41% of non-enrolled voters give Cuomo a thumbs-up while 55% and 42%, respectively, did the same earlier this year.

Governor Cuomo is also well-liked by most of the electorate.  72% of voters view him favorably while only 16% have a negative impression of him.  12% are unsure.

Earlier this year, Cuomo’s favorability rating stood at 71%.  17% had a lesser impression of the governor, and 12% were unsure.

Table: Governor Andrew Cuomo Approval Rating
Table: Governor Andrew Cuomo Favorability

Nearly Six in Ten Voters Approve of Cuomo’s Approach Toward the State Legislature

When it comes to how Governor Andrew Cuomo deals with the New York State Legislature, 58% of voters approve of his actions.  23%, however, disapprove, and 19% are unsure.

Democrats statewide — 68% — have a more positive reaction to Cuomo’s approach than do Republicans in the state. However, even a majority of Republicans — 56% — approve of how the governor interacts with the Legislature.  Among non-enrolled voters, nearly half — 47% — approve of how the governor deals with the New York State Legislature.

Regionally, more voters in the suburbs of New York City — 68% — approve of Mr. Cuomo’s tactics compared with those in New York City and upstate.  However, majorities in New York City — 57% — and upstate — 53% — maintain this view.

Table: Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Dealing with the NYS Legislature

State Senate and Assembly Not Making the Grade

While Governor Cuomo receives kudos from voters, the New York State Senate and Assembly are falling short.

Looking at the State Senate, just 17% of voters approve of the job it is doing.  Included here are just 1% who believe it is doing an excellent job and 16% who say it is doing a good one.  43% perceive the legislative body’s performance as fair while 36% call it poor.  Only 3% are unsure.

The State Senate continues to struggle in the eyes of voters.  In January’s survey, 18% applauded its performance, 34% rated it as fair, and 43% thought the State Senate was performing poorly.  Five percent were unsure.

It’s a similar story for the State Assembly.  17% give this legislative body above average marks.  This includes 1% who believe it is doing an excellent job and 16% who say it is doing a good one.  42% report it is fair in its performance while 36% think it is doing a poor job.  Five percent are unsure.

In January, 17% gave the State Assembly high marks.  35% said it performed fairly well while 43% thought it fell short.  Only 5% were unsure.

Table: New York State Senate Job Approval Rating
Table: New York State Senate Job Approval Rating (Over Time)

Table: New York State Assembly Job Approval Rating
Table: New York State Assembly Job Approval Rating (Over Time)

Major Change Needed in Albany … State Moving in the Wrong Direction, Say Voters

With the low approval ratings of both the State Senate and Assembly, it’s not surprising that voters think major changes are needed in the way things are done in state government in Albany.  Almost seven in ten voters — 69% — hold this view while 22% say minor changes are required.  Eight percent say state government is broken and beyond repair while only 1% believe no adjustments are needed.

Little has changed since January when 73% thought major changes were needed, 16% reported minor changes were needed, 10% said things were beyond repair, and 1% felt no changes were needed.

Voters also remain pessimistic about the direction of the state.  54% say the Empire State is moving in the wrong direction while 41% report it is traveling in the right direction.  Six percent are unsure.  A few months ago, 52% said New York needed a new path while 42% believed the state was on the right track.  Six percent, at the time, were unsure.

Table: Status of State Government in Albany
Table: Status of State Government in Albany (Over Time)
Table: Direction of NYS
Table: Direction of NYS (Over Time)

Gillibrand’s Approval Rating Slides

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s job approval rating has declined.  Currently, 41% of registered voters statewide believe Gillibrand is doing an excellent or good job in the U.S. Senate.  This includes 9% who report she is doing an excellent job and 32% who think she is doing a good one.  31% give Gillibrand fair marks while 11% rate her job performance as poor.  17% are unsure.

Gillibrand’s approval rating has suffered an eight percentage point loss. In January, Gillibrand’s approval rating stood at 49% which marked her highest job approval rating since taking office.  29%, at that time, said she was doing a fair job while one in ten — 10% — believed she fell short.  12% were unsure.

The change has occurred mostly among members of Gillibrand’s own party.  Half of Democratic voters — 50% — now give Gillibrand high grades while 61% did so in January.  Among Republicans, 37% approve of Gillibrand’s job performance compared with 39% who did so earlier this year.  35% of non-enrolled voters give Gillibrand kudos while 40% shared this sentiment in January.

Table: Gillibrand Approval Rating
Table: Gillibrand Approval Rating (Over Time)

 

Steady as Schumer Goes

Senator Chuck Schumer’s job approval rating is solid.  56% of voters think he is doing either an excellent or good job in the United States Senate.  Among them are 17% who say he is doing an excellent job and 39% who believe he is doing a good one.  26% rate his performance as fair while 14% call it poor.  Four percent are unsure.

In NY1/YNN-Marist’s previous survey, 59% gave Schumer above average marks, 28% rated him as fair, and 9% said his performance was subpar.  Five percent, at the time, were unsure.

Table: Schumer Approval Rating
Table: Schumer Approval Rating (Over Time)

NY1/YNN-Marist Poll Methodology

5/5: NYS Voters Say, “No,” to Candidate Trump

Speculation of a presidential candidacy by businessman Donald Trump runs high.   But, do New York State voters want “The Donald” to announce his candidacy?  Most voters do not want Mr. Trump to seek the presidency.  Three in four voters — 75% — hold this view while 24% want Trump to become a candidate.  Only 2% are unsure.

Click Here for Complete May 5, 2011 NYS NY1/YNN-Marist Poll Release and Tables

Most Democrats — 82% — and non-enrolled voters — 74% — do not want Trump to throw his proverbial hat into the ring.  About two-thirds of Republicans — 66% — also agree.

“Donald Trump hasn’t crossed the threshold of credibility with New York State voters,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  “He’s slightly less of a turn-off to Republicans.  But even among GOPers, about two-thirds don’t want him to run.”

Trump isn’t the only local who New York voters hope will abstain from seeking the presidency.  76% of voters statewide do not want former New York State Governor George Pataki to challenge President Obama in 2012.  19% would like to see him make a bid for the office, and 5% are unsure.

New York State voters also aren’t pressing New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to run for president in 2012.  About two-thirds — 66% — think Christie should sit along the presidential sidelines while 17% believe he should join the contest.  17% are unsure.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg does not fare much better.  64% of New York State voters want Bloomberg to stay off the national presidential stage while 28% want him to step into the spotlight.  Eight percent are unsure.

It’s a similar story for Bloomberg’s predecessor, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.  60% of voters believe Giuliani’s 2008 presidential run was enough while 37% want “America’s Mayor” to give a presidential run another go around.  Three percent are unsure.

Although a majority of New York Republicans do not want Pataki, Christie, and Bloomberg to run, they divide about a bid by Giuliani.

Table: Donald Trump 2012 Presidential Run
Table: George Pataki 2012 Presidential Run
Table: Chris Christie 2012 Presidential Run
Table: Michael Bloomberg 2012 Presidential Run
Table: Rudy Giuliani 2012 Presidential Run

New York’s Favorite Son Rules Republican Roost Statewide

The field of possible 2012 Republican presidential candidates is wide.  But, given the choice, about one in four New York State Republican voters — 23% — report they would back former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and one in five — 20% — say they would support former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.  Here is how the field stands among these Republican voters:

• 23% for former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani
• 20% for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney
• 12% for former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin
• 10% for former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee
• 7% for Businessman Donald Trump
• 7% for Texas Congressman Ron Paul
• 3% for former Georgia Congressman Newt Gingrich
• 2% for Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty
• 2% for Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels
• 2% for Businessman Herman Cain
• 1% for Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann
• 1% for former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum
• Fewer than 1% for former U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman
• Fewer than 1% for former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson
• 10% are undecided

Table: 2012 Republican Presidential Primary (New York State)

NY1/YNN-Marist Poll Methodology

5/4: Post Bin Laden: President Obama Applauded in NYC … Perceptions of City Life Little Changed

Many New York City residents flocked to the site of the World Trade Center in celebration on Sunday night after learning of Osama bin Laden’s death.  In the aftermath of the Al Qaeda leader’s death, President Barack Obama has received a bump in his approval rating in the Big Apple.  However, city dwellers do not necessarily feel safer within the five boroughs.

Click Here for Complete May 4, 2011 NYC NY1-Marist Poll Release and Tables

According to this NY1-Marist Poll, nearly seven in ten registered voters citywide — 69% — think President Barack Obama is doing either an excellent or good job in office.  Included here are 32% who say the commander in chief is doing an excellent job and 37% who report he is doing a good one.  16% rate his performance as fair while 12% think he is doing poorly.  Only 2% are unsure.

President Obama’s job approval rating in New York City has increased by 10 percentage points from just last week.  In a NY1-Marist Poll conducted in the days leading up to Osama bin Laden’s death, 59% of voters gave President Obama high marks, slightly more than one in four voters — 26% — said he was doing a fair job, and 14% thought Mr. Obama was doing a poor one.  Only 1%, at the time, was unsure.

“For New York City residents, the war on terror is not over, but they feel we just won a big battle,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  “They are thankful for the president’s leadership.”

And, a majority of adults in New York City think President Obama deserves the amount of credit he is receiving for the death of Osama bin Laden.  More than six in ten New York City residents — 63% — believe the president is taking the right amount of credit while fewer than one in five — 18% — say he is taking too much credit for it.  11% say he is not taking enough credit, and 8% are unsure.

Table: Obama Approval Rating in NYC (May)
Table: Obama Approval Rating in NYC (April)
Table: Obama’s Credit for Osama Bin Laden’s Death

Sense of Safety Not Heightened for Majority Following Bin Laden’s Death

Despite the kudos many New York City residents are bestowing upon the president, there has been little change in their attitudes toward daily life.

A majority of New York City residents don’t personally feel safer in the aftermath of the killing of Osama bin Laden.  28% feel less safe, and 27% say his death makes no difference to their feeling of security.  However, a plurality — 38% — is experiencing an enhanced sense of security.  Seven percent are unsure.

When looking at the level of safety in the city itself, 37% feel the Big Apple is less safe following Sunday’s announcement, and an additional 17% report bin Laden’s death does not impact the city’s safety.  38% think the city is now safer, and 8% are unsure.

A majority of residents within the five boroughs — 51% — still think New York City is vulnerable to another terrorist attack.  Included here are 12% who are very worried about the possibility of another assault and 39% who are worried.  29%, though, are not very worried while 19% are not worried at all.

Little has changed on this question since last week, prior to Osama bin Laden’s death.  At that time, 53% of New York City adults expressed some worry about another attack in the Big Apple while 29% were not very worried, and 17% were not worried at all.

When thinking beyond the borders of New York City, 46% of New Yorkers have   a feeling of a more secure nation.  32% disagree and say the nation is less safe.  14% report Osama bin Laden’s death makes no difference, and 8% are unsure.

Residents offer similar opinions toward the security of the world.  More than four in ten — 43% — say the world is safer because Osama bin Laden is dead.  35% think global security is less while 14% believe it makes no difference.  Nine percent are unsure.

How did New York City residents feel upon hearing that Osama bin Laden had been killed?  Nearly four in ten residents — 39% — say they were happy.  24% were surprised, 10% felt excited, and 7% were relieved.  Three percent report they were indifferent while the same proportion — 3% — says the news conjured a sense of patriotism.  The feelings of sadness and worry each receive 2%.  One percent of city dwellers felt angry, and an additional 1% report they were confused.  Seven percent mention another emotion.

How did residents discover that bin Laden was dead?  A majority — 57% — found out via television.  10% heard the news over the radio while 9% were told by someone they were with.  An additional 7% received a phone call.  Six percent got the news on the Internet, and the same proportion — 6% — was notified via social media like Facebook or Twitter.  Three percent received a text message, and 2% read it in a newspaper.

Table: Personal Safety Following Osama Bin Laden’s Death
Table: Safety of NYC Following Osama Bin Laden’s Death
Table: Concern About Another Terrorist Attack (May)
Table: Concern About Another Terrorist Attack (April)
Table: Concern About Another Terrorist Attack Over Time

 

Table: Safety of the Nation Following Osama Bin Laden’s Death
Table: Safety of the World Following Osama Bin Laden’s Death
Table: Reaction to Osama Bin Laden’s Death
Table: How Residents Heard of Osama Bin Laden’s Death

Majority Say Daily Life Back to Normal, But City Has Not Healed

A majority of New York City residents — 54% — say their life has returned to normal in the years following the September 11^th, 2001 attacks.  10% report their lives will eventually return to normal, and 35% think their lives will never be the same.

There has been little change in these numbers since last week’s survey when 53% said their life has returned to normal, 10% reported their life will eventually be the same, and 37% thought their life would never be the same.

There has, though, been a change in opinion over the past few years.  When Marist last reported this question in August of 2007, just four in ten — 40% — thought their life was back on track.  13% believed their life would get back to normal while nearly half — 47% — said their life would never be the same.

However, residents think the city still needs healing.  Nearly half — 48% — say that the city has not fully recovered from the September 11^th attacks.  28% believe the city is just as good as it was before the attacks while 25% say it is even better.

When NY1-Marist asked this question last week, half of those in New York City — 50% — felt the city had not fully recovered from the attacks.  28% thought it was just as good, and 22% said it was even better than before the attacks.

Table: Daily Life Since 9/11 (May)
Table: Daily Life Since 9/11 (April)
Table: Daily Life Since 9/11 (Over Time)

Table: Status of NYC Since 9/11 (May)
Table: Status of NYC Since 9/11 (April)
Table: Status of NYC Since 9/11 (Over Time)

 

NY1-Marist Poll Methodology

 

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