Maurice Carroll, Assistant

Director,
Quinnipiac University Poll
(203) 582-5334
Rubenstein Associates, Inc.
Public Relations
Contact: Pat Smith (212)

FOR RELEASE: MARCH 19, 2015

VOTERS WANT LEADERS, SPOUSES, LIVE-INS INCOME,

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY NEW YORK POLL FINDS;
NO BUDGET WITHOUT ETHICS FIX, VOTERS SAY
By an overwhelming 84 13 percent, New York State voters say elected officials should
be required to disclose the source and amount of income from outside jobs and investments,
according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
By a smaller, but still substantial 64 32 percent, voters say spouses and live-in partners
of elected officials also should be required to disclose the source and size of income, the
independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University Poll finds.
Voters back 45 40 percent Gov. Andrew Cuomos threat to delay passage of the state
budget to force legislators to enact ethics reform.
A total of 89 percent of New York State voters say government corruption is a very
serious or somewhat serious problem in the state today.
But voters oppose 54 37 percent public financing of campaigns for governor, other
statewide offices and the State Legislature. There is a gender gap, with men opposed 50 45
percent and women opposed 58 30 percent.
Follow the money, New Yorkers say. Overwhelmingly, they want legislators to tell how
much they earn. Legislators say spouses and companions of government folks should have to
tell all, too. Voters agree, said Maurice Carroll, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University
Poll.
Voters say, almost unanimously, that corruption remains a serious Albany problem.
They dont think Gov. Andrew Cuomo is doing a good job combating it. Hes part of the
problem, more voters say.
-more

Quinnipiac University Poll/March 19, 2015 page 2

New York State voters disapprove 54 35 percent of the way Gov. Cuomo is handling
ethics in government. A total of 41 percent of voters say the governor is doing an excellent or
good job cleaning up ethics in government while 51 percent say not so good or poor.
In fact, 47 percent of voters say Cuomo is part of the problem with ethics in government
while 41 percent say he is part of the solution.
By a strong 76 18 percent margin, voters say elected state officials who are convicted of
a felony should lose their pension. Support is strong across party, gender, age and regional
groups.
State legislators should serve full-time, with a higher salary and no outside employment,
57 percent of voters say, while 33 percent say legislators should serve part-time, collecting a
lower salary but allowed to accept outside employment.
New Yorkers think a full-time State Legislature would be a good idea, Carroll said.
Voters disapprove 62 23 percent of the job the State Legislature is doing, compared to a
55 28 percent disapproval December 22.
State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman gets a 45 22 percent job approval rating,
while State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli gets a 35 19 percent score.
From March 11 16, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,228 New York State voters with a
margin of error of +/- 2.8 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, Iowa, Ohio,
Virginia, Colorado and the nation as a public service and for research.
For more information, visit http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling, call (203) 582-5201,
or follow us on Twitter @QuinnipiacPoll.

27. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?

Approve
Disapprove
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

AGE IN YRS.......
18-34 35-54 55+

23%
62
15

23%
65
12

28%
55
17

19%
66
15

20%
67
13

25%
58
17

29%
62
10

21%
63
16

22%
63
16

AREA.............
UpStat NYC
Sub
Approve
Disapprove
DK/NA

25%
64
12

20%
61
19

24%
61
15

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?

Approve
Disapprove
DK/NA

Mar 19
2015

Dec 22
2014

Aug 20
2014

May 21
2014

Feb 13
2014

APPROVE.......
High
Low
Dec 12 Sep 01
2012
2010

23
62
15

28
55
17

26
61
13

26
55
18

28
57
15

35
46
18

15
75
9

28. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Thomas DiNapoli is handling his job as State
Comptroller?

Approve
Disapprove
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

AGE IN YRS.......
18-34 35-54 55+

35%
19
46

38%
18
44

36%
17
47

32%
23
45

39%
20
41

31%
19
50

29%
26
45

32%
21
47

40%
15
45

AREA.............
UpStat NYC
Sub
Approve
Disapprove
DK/NA

39%
21
40

29%
20
51

37%
15
48

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Thomas DiNapoli is handling his job as
State Comptroller?

Approve
Disapprove
DK/NA

Mar 19
2015

Dec 23
2014

Aug 20
2014

May 21
2014

Apr 06
2009

APPROVE.......
High
Low
Aug 20 Apr 04
2014
2007

35
19
46

39
16
45

45
19
36

36
12
52

26
19
56

45
19
36

24
13
63

29. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Eric Schneiderman is handling his job as State
Attorney General?

Approve
Disapprove
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

AGE IN YRS.......
18-34 35-54 55+

45%
22
33

34%
32
33

54%
14
33

45%
21
34

47%
26
27

43%
19
38

34%
32
33

45%
21
34

50%
17
33

AREA.............
UpStat NYC
Sub
Approve
Disapprove
DK/NA

46%
22
32

45%
23
32

43%
21
36

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Eric Schneiderman is handling his job as
State Attorney General?

Approve
Disapprove
DK/NA

Mar 19
2015

Dec 23
2014

Aug 20
2014

May 21
2014

45
22
33

47
20
33

51
22
27

46
18
37

30. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Carl Heastie is handling his job as State
Assembly Speaker?

Approve
Disapprove
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

AGE IN YRS.......
18-34 35-54 55+

20%
15
65

23%
15
62

19%
13
67

20%
14
66

19%
17
63

20%
14
66

31%
16
53

17%
15
68

18%
15
68

AREA.............
UpStat NYC
Sub
Approve
Disapprove
DK/NA

20%
15
65

23%
16
61

12%
15
73

31. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Dean Skelos is handling his job as State
Senate Majority Leader?

Approve
Disapprove
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

AGE IN YRS.......
18-34 35-54 55+

20%
30
50

27%
27
47

20%
30
50

18%
30
51

21%
35
45

20%
26
54

26%
29
45

20%
27
53

17%
33
51

AREA.............
UpStat NYC
Sub
Approve
Disapprove
DK/NA

19%
31
50

18%
33
50

26%
25
49

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Dean Skelos is handling his job as State
Senate Majority Leader? (* State Senate Co-Leader)

Approve
Disapprove
DK/NA

Mar 19
2015

Nov 27
2013*

Jun 05
2013*

Apr 17
2013*

Feb 15
2012

APPROVE.......
High
Low
Feb 15 Mar 19
2012
2015

20
30
50

24
26
50

22
32
47

22
28
50

26
34
41

26
34
41

20
30
50

36. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Andrew Cuomo is handling - ethics in
government?

Approve
Disapprove
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

AGE IN YRS.......
18-34 35-54 55+

35%
54
11

24%
67
9

44%
42
15

33%
57
10

31%
60
8

38%
48
14

39%
48
13

35%
56
8

35%
52
13

AREA.............
UpStat NYC
Sub
Approve
Disapprove
DK/NA

28%
62
10

38%
49
13

42%
47
11

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Andrew Cuomo is handling ethics in
government?

Approve
Disapprove
DK/NA

Mar 18
2015

Aug 20
2014

May 22
2014

Feb 13
2014

35
54
11

39
50
10

48
34
18

52
31
17

46. How important would you say it is that the state pass a budget on time; very
important, somewhat important, not so important, or not important at all?
Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

AGE IN YRS.......
18-34 35-54 55+

Very important
67%
Somewhat important
26
Not so important
4
Not important at all 1
DK/NA
2

70%
24
5
1

67%
25
4
2
2

66%
29
3
1
-

63%
28
5
2
2

70%
24
4
1
1

69%
24
1
3
3

65%
26
6
1
2

67%
27
5
1
1

AREA.............
UpStat NYC
Sub
Very important
66%
Somewhat important
28
Not so important
3
Not important at all 1
DK/NA
2

67%
23
6
1
2

68%
26
3
2
1

59. Do you support or oppose public financing of campaigns for governor, other statewide
offices and the state legislature?

Support
Oppose
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

AGE IN YRS.......
18-34 35-54 55+

37%
54
9

32%
61
7

43%
45
11

32%
62
7

45%
50
6

30%
58
12

31%
58
10

36%
54
10

41%
52
7

AREA.............
UpStat NYC
Sub
Support
Oppose
DK/NA

31%
62
7

41%
50
9

38%
50
12

TREND: Do you support or oppose public financing of campaigns for governor, other
statewide offices and the state legislature? (* Low also 37% Jun 2013, Apr 2013)

Support
Oppose
DK/NA

Mar 19
2015

Aug 20
2014

May 22
2014

Nov 27
2013

Jun 05
2013

SUPPORT.......
High
Low
May 22 Mar 19
2014
2015*

37
54
9

41
52
8

46
44
9

38
52
10

37
53
9

46
44
9

37
54
9

60. How much of a problem, if at all, is government corruption in New York State today; is
it a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, a not too serious problem, or not a
problem at all?
Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

AGE IN YRS.......
18-34 35-54 55+

Very serious
51%
Smwht serious
38
Not too serious
7
Not a problem at all 1
DK/NA
2

47%
45
4
1
3

46%
41
9
2
3

58%
33
8
1
1

56%
33
8
1
2

46%
43
7
1
2

50%
33
12
3
1

51%
41
6
1
-

51%
39
6
3

AREA.............
UpStat NYC
Sub
Very serious
49%
Smwht serious
43
Not too serious
6
Not a problem at all DK/NA
2

56%
31
10
1
2

47%
43
5
2
3

TREND: How much of a problem, if at all, is government corruption in New York State today;
is it a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, a not too serious problem, or
not a problem at all?

Mar 19
2015
Very serious
51
Smwht serious
38
Not too serious
7
Not a problem at all 1
DK/NA
2

Aug 20
2014

May 22
2014

Nov 27
2013

Jun 05
2013

VERY+SMWHT....
High
Low
Mar 19 Nov 06
2015
2003

42
41
14
1
2

36
45
14
1
5

41
41
13
1
4

51
35
8
1
5

51
38
7
1
2

28
44
19
3
5

61. How would you rate the job Governor Cuomo is doing cleaning up government corruption;
excellent, good, not so good, or poor?

Excellent
Good
Not so good
Poor
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

AGE IN YRS.......
18-34 35-54 55+

3%
38
27
24
8

3%
29
30
32
7

4%
50
25
14
8

3%
33
30
26
8

3%
33
28
31
5

3%
42
26
18
10

4%
39
24
20
13

4%
37
25
28
6

3%
40
30
21
6

AREA.............
UpStat NYC
Sub
Excellent
Good
Not so good
Poor
DK/NA

3%
32
30
30
6

4%
40
24
23
9

3%
44
28
15
9

TREND: How would you rate the job Governor Cuomo is doing cleaning up government
corruption; excellent, good, not so good, or poor? (* cleaning up corruption)

Excellent
Good
Not so good
Poor
DK/NA

Mar 19
2015

Aug 20
2014*

3
38
27
24
8

4
39
29
23
5

62. When thinking about the problem of ethics in government, do you think Andrew Cuomo is
part of the problem or part of the solution?

Problem
Solution
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

AGE IN YRS.......
18-34 35-54 55+

47%
41
12

61%
32
8

35%
52
14

50%
38
12

53%
39
8

42%
43
15

49%
38
13

46%
43
11

45%
44
11

AREA.............
UpStat NYC
Sub
Problem
Solution
DK/NA

57%
34
9

42%
44
14

38%
48
13

TREND: When thinking about the problem of ethics in government, do you think Andrew Cuomo
is part of the problem or part of the solution?

Problem
Solution
DK/NA

Mar 19
2015

Aug 20
2014

47
41
12

48
41
11

63. Do you support or oppose delaying passage of the state budget to force legislators to
enact ethics reform?

Support
Oppose
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

AGE IN YRS.......
18-34 35-54 55+

45%
40
15

49%
42
9

46%
35
19

41%
49
10

51%
40
9

40%
41
20

54%
33
14

43%
44
13

43%
41
16

AREA.............
UpStat NYC
Sub
Support
Oppose
DK/NA

39%
50
12

51%
32
16

46%
37
17

64. Do you think elected state officials should be required to disclose the source and
size of income from outside jobs and investments, or don't you think so?

Yes/Should disclose
No
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

AGE IN YRS.......
18-34 35-54 55+

84%
13
3

85%
14
2

79%
17
5

90%
8
2

87%
10
2

81%
15
4

74%
22
5

86%
13
1

87%
10
3

AREA.............
UpStat NYC
Sub
Yes/Should disclose
No
DK/NA

84%
13
3

83%
14
3

84%
11
5

65. Do you think the spouses or live-in partners of elected state officials should be
required to disclose the source and size of income from employment and investments, or
don't you think so?

Yes/Should disclose
No
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

AGE IN YRS.......
18-34 35-54 55+

64%
32
5

66%
32
2

60%
33
7

68%
29
3

66%
29
4

61%
34
5

54%
39
7

64%
33
4

67%
29
4

AREA.............
UpStat NYC
Sub
Yes/Should disclose
No
DK/NA

64%
33
4

67%
28
5

58%
35
6

66. Do you think elected state officials who have been convicted of a felony should lose
their pensions or not?

Yes/Lose pensions
No
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

AGE IN YRS.......
18-34 35-54 55+

76%
18
6

83%
11
6

70%
22
8

77%
18
5

76%
18
5

75%
18
7

68%
29
3

75%
17
8

79%
15
6

AREA.............
UpStat NYC
Sub
Yes/Lose pensions
No
DK/NA

78%
17
6

69%
24
7

83%
11
6

67. Do you think New York State legislators should serve full-time with a higher state
salary and no outside jobs or should they serve part-time with a lower salary and be
allowed to accept outside employment?

Full-time
Part-time
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

AGE IN YRS.......
18-34 35-54 55+

57%
33
10

45%
47
9

59%
30
11

62%
27
11

62%
30
8

52%
36
12

56%
36
8

59%
29
12

56%
34
9

AREA.............
UpStat NYC
Sub
Full-time
Part-time
DK/NA

49%
43
8

64%
24
12

58%
30
12

68. Do you believe U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara's public comments about state government
corruption have been appropriate or inappropriate, or haven't you heard enough about it?

Appropriate
Inappropriate
Hvn't hrd enough
REFUSED

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

AGE IN YRS.......
18-34 35-54 55+

17%
3
79
1

13%
2
84
-

16%
3
79
1

21%
3
75
1

25%
4
70
1

11%
2
86
1

9%
2
89
-

15%
1
83
-

22%
5
72
2

AREA.............
UpStat NYC
Sub
Appropriate
Inappropriate
Hvn't hrd enough
REFUSED

14%
3
82
-

21%
3
75
1

17%
3
78
2

10