April 27, 2010
4/27: Rebound On Wall Street But Not In Public Image
President Obama wants tougher regulations for Wall Street, but do New York City residents think “their backyard” needs reform?
©istockphoto.com/narvikk
A majority — 56% — say Wall Street is more of the problem when it comes to the city’s economy while 24% think it is part of the solution. A notable one-fifth are unsure how to characterize its impact on the local economy.
“Wall Street may be part of New York City’s economic engine, but even here, New Yorkers point to its pitfalls,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist Institute for Public Opinion. “It doesn’t boost Wall Street to be New York City’s ‘Main Street.’”
65% of those residing in the Bronx report Wall Street should be blamed. 61% in Queens and Staten Island, 51% in Brooklyn, and 49% in Manhattan share this view.
Table: Wall Street a Problem for NYC Economy?
Fewer See City As Moving in the Right Direction
41% of registered voters think the Big Apple is moving on the right path, and 48% believe it is moving in the wrong direction. 11% are unsure. When Marist last asked this question in its April 13th survey, voters were more divided. At that time, while 47% thought its trajectory was on target. 45% believed the city needed to be redirected, and 8% were unsure.
Table: NYC Direction
Table: NYC Direction Over Time
Click on the graph to enlarge the image.