Tue Feb 02, 2010 at 08:14:37 AM EST
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Monmouth University is out this morning with a new poll taking a look at public opinion and how the voters feel about their new Governor. Lets take a look at where things stand with the numbers two weeks in:Chris Christie's initial job rating is generally positive - 33% approve to 15% disapprove - although 52% withhold opinion at this early stage. By comparison, the New Jersey legislature is viewed negatively - only 26% of the public approve of the job their representatives in Trenton are doing versus 46% who disapprove. These results are fairly consistent with the legislature's low job rating over the past two years. Those 52% of the people waiting to develop an opinion will be colored by the decisions the new administration makes. Not surprisingly, taxes still top the agenda:The most important issue for voters during last year's gubernatorial campaign was taxes, especially property taxes. New Jerseyans continue to see this as a defining issue by which they will judge the success of a Christie administration. At the same time, they remain skeptical that taxes will actually come down. Specifically, 7-in-10 residents (71%) say they will be very upset with Governor Christie if property taxes remain high four years from now, another 18% would be somewhat upset and just 9% would not be upset by this.
However, only 4-in-10 New Jerseyans say it is likely (8% very and 34% somewhat) that the state will enact reforms to significantly lower property taxes in the next few years. People want reform, but they have little faith they will actually get what they are seeking. On the issue of state spending:While 51% of Garden State residents would be very upset with the governor if he doesn't reduce state spending during his term, even more - 62% - would be very upset if school funding was cut. Perhaps a positive note for the governor in this finding is that both Republicans (53%) and independents (53%) are less likely than Democrats (77%) to be troubled by potential education cuts. So they want spending reduced but over 50% don't want what the money is spent on to go away. Pollster Patrick Murray offered this note of caution on cuts to public employees:"It's important for Governor Christie to remember that New Jersey voters handed him a scalpel, not an axe. He needs to tread carefully where job cuts are concerned and have strong budget justifications for large numbers of layoffs. While the state unions may not be held in high regard, the public sympathizes with the average state worker who has a family to feed. If job cuts appear to be indiscriminate, it could hurt the governor in the court of public opinion," said Murray. 43% of people believe that their family will feel the impact of budget cuts. You can see the poll memo and the data by clicking here. |
| Jason Springer :: New Monmouth Poll: Many prepare for pain and reserve judgement |
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