Corzine approvals go way up
Gov. Jon Corzine's approval rating has jumped eight points in the last five weeks, to 50%-34%, his highest marks so far, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
This compares to a split 42%-42% approval rating in a January 24 poll. Corzine's previous high mark was 49 - 32 percent in a December 7 poll.
"These numbers are tangible evidence that the public is embracing the Governor Corzine's leadership. A 16-point swing in approval rating in just one month is significant. His numbers are moving in the right direction because he's leading New Jersey in the right direction," said Democratic State Chairman Joseph Cryan. "What is noteworthy is that the Governor is leading, not following, and he is leading the way on tough issues that contain nothing but difficult decisions.
"As we saw in his budget address, the Governor doesn't play to the crowd by telling them only what they want to hear or by sugarcoating problems," Cryan said. "He doesn't govern by poll, but the Corzine characteristics of straight talk, responsible actions and looking to the future are gaining the public's respect and favor."
Voters give Corzine mixed reviews on his handling of a number of issues, and negative marks on his handling of tax issues, but they approve 2 - 1 the property tax reduction plan approved by the Legislature with the Governor's backing. But 62% of voters say things have "stayed about the same" in New Jersey since Corzine became Governor fourteen months ago, with 20% who say things have gotten better and 15% who say things have gotten worse.
"Even though they give Gov. Corzine mixed reviews, New Jersey voters seem to forgive him for raising the state sales tax now that they see the money is going into property tax reduction," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Corzine campaigned for office promising property tax cuts and the voters are beginning to see he has delivered on that promise."
Voters disapprove 56%-34% of the way Corzine is handling taxes generally and disapprove 57%-33% of the way he is handling property taxes. On other issues:
* Voters approve 42 - 40 percent of Corzine's handling of the state budget;
* Approve 39 - 35 percent of his handling of education;
* Approve 45 - 35 percent of his handling of the economy and jobs;
* Approve 42 - 23 percent of his handling of the environment;
* Disapprove 38 - 25 percent of his handling of overdevelopment and sprawl.
"New Jersey voters are unhappy about Gov. Corzine's handling of taxes, property taxes in particular," Richards added. "But the State Legislature is doing worse as voters disapprove 68 - 16 percent of the way lawmakers are handling property taxes.
In an open-ended question, where voters can give any answer, 56 percent list taxes as the most important problem facing New Jersey, with 42 percent specifying property taxes, the highest mark for this issue in any Quinnipiac University poll in any state.
Voters approve 66 - 27 percent of the plan passed by the Legislature to give property owners rebates of up to 20 percent. This is the right amount, 46 percent say, while 37 percent say it's too little and 9 percent say it's too much.
Voters also support 61 - 30 percent the Legislature's bill for a 4 percent annual cap on property tax increases. But only 58 percent of those supporters, or 35 percent of all voters, back the cap if it means cuts in services such as public safety and trash collection. Voters split 48 - 46 percent on whether public employees should be required to pay more for health insurance and retirement benefits.
State legislators should not be allowed to hold other government positions, New Jersey voters say 79 - 17 percent. Legislators who already have another government job should be required to give up one of the jobs, voters say 68 - 27 percent.
From February 20 - 25, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,302 New Jersey voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points. The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and nationally as a public service and for research. For more data --
http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x271.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.
