New Jersey: New Jersey voters turn on state workers; support layoffs, wage freeze, pension cuts Online College Resources

New Jersey: New Jersey voters turn on state workers; support layoffs, wage freeze, pension cuts

Posted by Anthony Ditter on Feb 09, 2011

By substantial margins, New Jersey voters support layoffs, wage freezes and reduced pensions for state workers, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Voters approve 53 – 41 percent of the way Gov. Christopher Christie is handling the state budget, but split 47 – 48 percent in their approval of how he is handling education, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.

New Jersey’s budget problems are “very serious,” 82 percent of voters say, while 15 percent say they are “somewhat serious.” To balance the state budget, 64 percent of voters say cut services, while 26 percent say raise taxes. Among measures voters support:

56 – 38 percent support layoffs for state workers. Democrats oppose layoffs 53 – 40 percent and voters with a union member in the household oppose layoffs 53 – 44 percent.
65 – 24 percent for furloughs for state workers, including 61 – 25 percent among Democrats and 61 – 28 percent in union households.
77 – 20 percent for wage freezes for state workers, including 72 – 23 percent among Democrats and 64 – 34 percent in union households.
66 – 29 percent for reducing pensions for new state workers, including 56 – 39 percent among Democrats and 57 – 42 percent in union households.

“As the reality of tough budgets begins to sink in – in New Jersey and everywhere else – voters are starting to get tougher on state workers,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

“Furloughs and wage freezes had won some approval in the past. Now voters approve even layoffs and reduction in pension benefits for new workers.”

New Jersey voters support 55 – 34 percent the so-called “Millionaires’ Tax.” Support is 72 – 21 percent among Democrats and 55 – 32 percent among independent voters, while Republicans oppose the tax 53 – 33 percent.

New Jersey voters oppose 71 – 25 percent cutting aid to public schools, with no group in support of such a cut. Voters split 47 – 48 percent on tax cuts for corporations to help stimulate the state economy.

Gov. Christie’s proposed cap on salaries for school superintendents is a good way to help balance the budget, 68 percent of voters say, while 25 percent say it is meddling in local government. All groups support the salary cap.

By a 62 – 17 percent margin, New Jersey voters have a favorable opinion of public school teachers, but their opinion of the teachers’ union is 44 – 27 percent unfavorable.

Teacher unions are playing a negative role in improving New Jersey education, voters say 52 – 36 percent.

New Jersey voter opinions on other education questions are:

68 – 27 percent in favor of merit pay for teachers who do an outstanding job;
62 – 30 percent in favor of limiting teacher tenure;
52 – 43 percent against school vouchers;
50 – 41 percent against charter schools.

“Voters agree overwhelmingly that Gov. Christopher Christie has one tough problem on his hands as he prepares to submit his budget next week,” Carroll said. “What would they like that budget message to say? They like the idea of a ‘Millionaires’ Tax’ on high-income people. And they don’t want to cut state school aid.

“They like their kids’ teachers, but don’t like the teachers’ union. And they favor two items that the union hates – merit pay and some limits on teacher tenure.

“But voters are unenthusiastic on two school items that Gov. Christie likes – vouchers and charter schools.

“More than two-thirds of voters agree with Christie’s move to curb school superintendent salaries. One-quarter think it’s meddling in local affairs.”

From February 3 – 7, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,347 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and the nation as a public service and for research. For more data or RSS feed- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter.
14. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Christopher Christie is handling education?

 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk 

 Approve 47% 70% 23% 53% 54% 40% 52% 15% Disapprove 48 23 73 41 41 54 42 80 DK/NA 5 6 4 6 5 5 6 4 

 Philly Union HvKids Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore HsHold PubSch 

 Approve 29% 47% 57% 47% 50% 34% 43% Disapprove 66 45 38 51 44 63 54 DK/NA 5 8 5 2 6 3 4

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Christopher Christie is handling – education?

 Feb 10 Dec 21 2011 2010 

 Approve 47 45 Disapprove 48 49 DK/NA 5 6

15. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Christopher Christie is handling the state budget?

 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk 

 Approve 53% 82% 30% 57% 65% 43% 58% 26% Disapprove 41 13 68 35 31 50 36 70 DK/NA 5 5 3 8 4 7 6 4 

 Philly Union HvKids Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore HsHold PubSch 

 Approve 35% 53% 65% 52% 59% 41% 52% Disapprove 60 39 30 46 36 57 44 DK/NA 5 8 6 3 5 2 4

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Christopher Christie is handling the state budget?

 Feb 10 Nov 11 Jun 17 2011 2010 2010 

 Approve 53 52 45 Disapprove 41 42 49 DK/NA 5 6 6

16. How serious do you think New Jersey’s budget problems are – very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious, or not at all serious?

 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk 

 Very serious 82% 89% 80% 78% 81% 82% 85% 78% Smwht serious 15 9 17 17 14 15 14 18 Not too serious 2 – 2 4 3 1 1 2 Not at all serious 1 1 – 1 1 – 1 – DK/NA 1 1 1 – 1 1 – 2 

 Philly Union HvKids Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore HsHold PubSch 

 Very serious 73% 81% 85% 86% 83% 79% 82% Smwht serious 20 15 13 10 16 17 12 Not too serious 5 2 1 4 1 4 4 Not at all serious – 1 1 – 1 1 1 DK/NA 2 2 – - – - 1

TREND: How serious do you think New Jersey’s budget problems are – very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious, or not at all serious?

 VERY+SMWHT…. High Low Feb 10 Nov 11 Jan 20 Nov 24 Aug 12 Nov 11 Dec 11 2011 2010 2010 2009 2008 2010 2002 

 Very serious 82 86 80 83 67 86 35 Somewhat serious 15 13 17 14 28 13 51 Not too serious 2 – 2 1 2 – 10 Not at all serious 1 – - – - – 1 DK/NA 1 1 1 2 3 1 3

17. To balance the state budget, if you had to choose, would you prefer; raising taxes or cutting government programs and services

 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk 

 Raising taxes 26% 7% 43% 24% 29% 24% 22% 40% Cutting services 64 91 45 66 65 64 69 46 DK/NA 9 2 12 10 6 12 8 14 

 Philly Union HvKids Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore HsHold PubSch 

 Raising taxes 37% 26% 20% 27% 25% 35% 28% Cutting services 50 64 76 62 67 59 64 DK/NA 13 10 5 11 8 7 8

TREND: To balance the state budget, if you had to choose, would you prefer raising taxes or cutting government programs and services?

 Feb 10 Nov 11 Jan 20 Nov 24 Mar 16 Jan 26 Apr 02 2011 2010 2010 2009 2006 2006 2003 

 Raising taxes 26 26 25 23 29 28 32 Cutting services 64 62 62 68 58 57 54 DK/NA 9 13 13 9 13 16 14

18. To help balance the state budget do you support or oppose layoffs for state employees?

 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk 

 Support 56% 75% 40% 58% 62% 49% 59% 34% Oppose 38 21 53 34 34 41 34 60 DK/NA 7 3 7 7 4 9 7 6 

 Philly Union HvKids Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore HsHold PubSch 

 Support 44% 55% 64% 53% 59% 44% 56% Oppose 50 37 28 41 36 53 40 DK/NA 6 8 8 5 5 3 4

TREND: To help balance the state budget do you support or oppose – layoffs for state employees?

 Feb 10 Nov 11 2011 2010 

 Support 56 54 Oppose 38 39 DK/NA 7 7

19. To help balance the state budget do you support or oppose furloughs for state employees?

 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk 

 Support 65% 72% 61% 62% 68% 61% 66% 58% Oppose 24 17 25 27 23 24 22 22 DK/NA 12 11 14 11 9 15 12 20 

 Philly Union HvKids Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore HsHold PubSch 

 Support 47% 74% 73% 58% 60% 61% 66% Oppose 32 17 18 30 28 28 25 DK/NA 22 9 8 12 12 11 8

TREND: To help balance the state budget do you support or oppose – furloughs for state employees?

 Feb 10 Nov 11 2011 2010 

 Support 65 63 Oppose 24 25 DK/NA 12 11

20. To help balance the state budget, do you support or oppose a wage freeze for state workers?

 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk 

 Support 77% 86% 72% 75% 79% 75% 80% 65% Oppose 20 13 23 21 18 21 16 31 DK/NA 3 1 5 4 3 4 4 4 

 Philly Union HvKids Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore HsHold PubSch 

 Support 61% 80% 82% 75% 80% 64% 80% Oppose 35 17 16 20 16 34 18 DK/NA 3 3 2 5 4 3 3

TREND: To help balance the state budget, do you support or oppose a wage freeze for state workers?

 Feb 10 Nov 11 Jan 20 Nov 24 2011 2010 2010 2009 

 Support 77 78 71 75 Oppose 20 19 23 21 DK/NA 3 3 6 4

21. To help balance the state budget, do you support or oppose reducing pension benefits for new state workers?

 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk 

 Support 66% 81% 56% 66% 69% 63% 68% 54% Oppose 29 16 39 28 26 32 27 43 DK/NA 5 2 5 6 4 5 5 4 

 Philly Union HvKids Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore HsHold PubSch 

 Support 58% 66% 73% 63% 68% 57% 72% Oppose 38 29 23 31 27 42 25 DK/NA 4 5 4 6 4 2 2

21a. To help balance the state budget, do you support or oppose the so called millionaires tax?

 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk 

 Support 55% 33% 72% 55% 53% 56% 53% 61% Oppose 34 53 21 32 39 29 34 30 DK/NA 11 14 8 13 8 15 12 9 

 Philly Union HvKids Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore HsHold PubSch 

 Support 67% 48% 54% 53% 58% 58% 53% Oppose 24 39 34 37 32 33 33 DK/NA 9 14 12 10 11 9 14

22. To help balance the state budget, do you support or oppose cutting overall state aid to public schools?

 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk 

 Support 25% 41% 7% 30% 32% 18% 27% 7% Oppose 71 53 91 65 65 77 68 91 DK/NA 4 6 2 5 4 5 5 2 

 Philly Union HvKids Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore HsHold PubSch 

 Support 16% 23% 34% 24% 26% 24% 13% Oppose 82 73 62 70 70 73 84 DK/NA 2 4 4 6 4 3 4

23. To help stimulate New Jersey’s economy, do you support or oppose tax cuts for corporations?

 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk 

 Support 47% 67% 32% 49% 53% 42% 48% 40% Oppose 48 31 65 44 43 53 47 58 DK/NA 4 3 3 7 4 5 5 2 

 Philly Union HvKids Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore HsHold PubSch 

 Support 41% 47% 56% 42% 49% 45% 49% Oppose 52 48 41 54 48 53 49 DK/NA 7 5 3 4 4 3 2

24. The Governor wants to limit school superintendent salaries. Do you think this is a good way to help balance the budget or do you think it is meddling in local government?

 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk 

 Way to bal bud 68% 83% 58% 70% 70% 66% 73% 50% Meddling in gov 25 14 35 23 23 27 21 43 DK/NA 7 3 7 7 7 7 6 7 

 Philly Union HvKids Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore HsHold PubSch 

 Way to bal bud 54% 67% 70% 71% 76% 64% 68% Meddling in gov 40 27 20 23 19 33 27 DK/NA 6 6 10 6 5 3 5

TREND: The Governor wants to limit school superintendent salaries. Do you think this is a good way to help balance the budget or do you think it is meddling in local government?

 Feb 10 Dec 21 2011 2010 

 Way to bal bud 68 63 Meddling in gov 25 31 DK/NA 7 6

25. Is your opinion of New Jersey’s public school teachers favorable, unfavorable, or haven’t you heard enough about them?

 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk 

 Favorable 62% 58% 65% 62% 62% 61% 62% 56% Unfavorable 17 20 14 16 16 17 17 12 Hvn’t hrd enough 18 19 19 18 19 18 18 30 REFUSED 3 3 2 4 3 4 4 2 

 Philly Union HvKids Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore HsHold PubSch 

 Favorable 64% 57% 65% 69% 57% 67% 75% Unfavorable 10 19 17 17 15 14 13 Hvn’t hrd enough 24 20 15 10 25 17 10 REFUSED 2 4 3 4 3 2 2

TREND: Is your opinion of New Jersey’s public school teachers favorable, unfavorable, or haven’t you heard enough about them?

 Feb 10 Dec 21 Nov 11 June 17 2011 2010 2010 2010 

 Favorable 62 57 56 56 Unfavorable 17 23 24 26 Hvn’t hrd enough 18 18 19 16 REFUSED 3 2 1 2

26. Is your opinion of the state’s largest teachers union, the New Jersey Education Association, favorable, unfavorable, or haven’t you heard enough about it?

 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk 

 Favorable 27% 13% 39% 25% 27% 27% 25% 40% Unfavorable 44 64 25 50 51 38 51 15 Hvn’t hrd enough 28 22 35 24 22 33 23 44 REFUSED 1 – 1 1 – 1 1 1 

 Philly Union HvKids Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore HsHold PubSch 

 Favorable 42% 26% 20% 32% 19% 46% 31% Unfavorable 20 46 52 48 50 33 40 Hvn’t hrd enough 37 27 28 19 30 20 28 REFUSED 1 1 1 1 – - 1

TREND: Is your opinion of the state’s largest teachers union, the New Jersey Education Association, favorable, unfavorable, or haven’t you heard enough about it?

 Feb 10 Dec 21 Nov 11 Nov 17 2011 2010 2010 2010 

 Favorable 27 27 21 24 Unfavorable 44 48 46 50 Hvn’t hrd enough 28 25 32 25 REFUSED 1 1 1 1

27. Generally speaking, do you believe the teachers’ unions are playing a positive or a negative role in improving New Jersey’s educational system?

 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk 

 Positive 36% 19% 51% 34% 33% 39% 32% 63% Negative 52 73 36 53 59 45 57 29 DK/NA 12 8 14 13 8 16 11 8 

 Philly Union HvKids Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore HsHold PubSch 

 Positive 48% 31% 31% 40% 35% 53% 39% Negative 35 55 59 52 52 40 48 DK/NA 17 13 10 8 12 7 13

TREND: Generally speaking, do you believe the teachers’ unions are playing a positive or a negative role in improving New Jersey’s educational system?

 Feb 10 Dec 21 Nov 11 Jan 21 Oct 15 2011 2010 2010 2010 2009 

 Positive 36 35 36 39 45 Negative 52 55 54 48 43 DK/NA 12 11 10 12 11

28. Some people say that public school teachers who do an outstanding job should be rewarded with additional pay so called merit pay. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?

 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk 

 Good idea 68% 72% 64% 70% 74% 64% 68% 64% Bad idea 27 24 33 25 22 33 27 32 DK/NA 4 4 3 6 5 4 4 5 

 Philly Union HvKids Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore HsHold PubSch 

 Good idea 63% 67% 73% 67% 70% 59% 69% Bad idea 31 26 24 30 27 37 27 DK/NA 6 6 3 3 3 4 4

TREND: Some people say that public school teachers who do an outstanding job should be rewarded with additional pay so called merit pay. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?

 Feb 10 Nov 11 Jan 21 Oct 15 2011 2010 2010 2009 

 Good idea 68 67 66 70 Bad idea 27 28 31 27 DK/NA 4 5 3 3

29. Governor Christie wants to limit teacher tenure. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?

 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk 

 Good idea 62% 81% 48% 64% 64% 61% 70% 35% Bad idea 30 13 42 30 33 28 25 56 DK/NA 7 7 9 7 3 11 5 10 

 Philly Union HvKids Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore HsHold PubSch 

 Good idea 47% 64% 76% 59% 61% 56% 64% Bad idea 44 29 21 31 31 35 24 DK/NA 10 8 3 10 8 9 12

30. Do you favor or oppose providing parents with tax money in the form of school vouchers to help pay for their children to attend private or religious schools?

 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk 

 Favor 43% 50% 38% 42% 48% 38% 42% 46% Oppose 52 45 58 53 48 57 54 47 DK/NA 5 5 4 5 4 5 4 7 

 Philly Union HvKids Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore HsHold PubSch 

 Favor 44% 42% 43% 47% 40% 39% 38% Oppose 47 54 54 51 54 59 59 DK/NA 8 4 3 2 6 2 3

TREND: Do you favor or oppose providing parents with tax money in the form of school vouchers to help pay for their children to attend private or religious schools?

 Feb 10 Nov 24 Jul 03 2011 2009 2001 

 Favor 43 43 50 Oppose 52 54 43 DK/NA 5 3 7

31. As you may know, charter schools are operated by private or non-profit organizations. The schools are paid for with tax dollars. Do you think there should be an expansion of charter schools in New Jersey or not?

 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk 

 Yes 41% 44% 34% 43% 46% 37% 38% 40% No 50 46 59 47 46 54 53 53 DK/NA 8 10 7 10 8 9 9 7 

 Philly Union HvKids Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore HsHold PubSch 

 Yes 46% 46% 42% 36% 34% 40% 40% No 50 47 46 55 54 55 52 DK/NA 4 6 12 8 12 5 8

TREND: As you may know, charter schools are operated by private or non-profit organizations. The schools are paid for with tax dollars. Do you think there should be an expansion of charter schools in New Jersey or not?

 Feb 10 Jan 21 Nov 24 2011 2010 2009 

 Yes 41 40 38 No 50 52 55 DK/NA 8 8 7

32. How worried are you that a cut in state aid to schools and the two percent cap on property taxes would hurt the quality of the schools in your district, very worried, somewhat worried, not too worried, or not worried at all?

 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk 

 Very worried 21% 13% 33% 17% 17% 26% 18% 38% Somewhat worried 35 32 40 34 33 37 35 39 Not too worried 23 29 15 27 24 23 25 13 Not worried at all 19 26 11 21 26 13 20 10 DK/NA 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 – 

 Philly Union HvKids Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore HsHold PubSch 

 Very worried 31% 20% 16% 19% 23% 31% 31% Somewhat worried 27 32 38 39 41 32 32 Not too worried 29 25 23 23 16 20 25 Not worried at all 13 21 23 18 19 17 11 DK/NA – 2 1 1 2 – 1

33. Many politicians have proposed allowing slot machines at racetracks. Do you think that is a good idea or a bad idea?

 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk 

 Good idea 55% 52% 54% 61% 60% 51% 56% 49% Bad idea 36 39 37 31 33 39 36 42 DK/NA 9 9 9 8 7 11 8 9 

 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore 

 Good idea 53% 51% 61% 56% 57% Bad idea 34 40 32 35 36 DK/NA 13 9 8 9 6

TREND: Many politicians have proposed allowing slot machines at racetracks. Do you think that is a good idea or a bad idea?

Feb 10 Aug 20 2011 2010

Good idea 55 47 Bad idea 36 43 DK/NA 9 9

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