May 10, 2011
5/10: Majority Approve of Cuomo’s Handling of Budget
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.
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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