Douglas E. Schoen LLC Conducted This Survey For The Manhattan Institute

Douglas E.
Schoen, LLC Manhattan Institute State Survey August 29 September 5, 2011 Survey of 400 registered voters in New York
Hello. I am conducting a survey on behalf of Douglas E. Schoen, LLC. Im going to ask you some questions about the economy and the budgeting process, particularly with regard to state and local governments. Im going to ask you some questions about people who work for state and local governments who are called public sector employees, and various reforms or changes that have been raised for how to deal with some of the budgetary issues that states and local governments are facing.
1 Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
MOOD OF THE COUNTRY
1. Generally speaking, do you think the economy in your state is headed in the right direction or on the wrong track? Right direction Wrong track Not sure 26% 58% 16%
2. How efficient would you say your state government is? TOTAL EFFICIENT TOTAL NOT EFFICIENT Very efficient Somewhat efficient Not very efficient Not at all efficient Not sure 62% 37% 6% 56% 26% 11% 1%
Public Sector Employees Now Id like to ask about public and private sector employees. Public sector employees work for city, state and federal agencies, while private sector employees work for private businesses.
3. Public sector employees receive salaries and two types of benefits: health care and definedbenefit pensions, which guarantee workers a retirement income based on years worked and peak pay levels. Questions have been raised about whether salaries should be frozen and whether employees should be required to contribute more towards their benefits because state and local governments are having problems paying them due to budget deficits. Some say that public employees salaries should be frozen and they should be required to contribute more towards their benefits. Others disagree and say their salaries should not be frozen and they should not be required to contribute more towards their benefits. Which is closer to your view? Public employees salaries should be frozen and they should be required to contribute more towards their benefits Public employees salaries should not be frozen and they should not be required to contribute more towards their benefits Not sure 44%
44%
12%
4. What about for retired public employees? Should they have to contribute more toward their pension and health care benefits because of state and local government budget problems, or should they not have to? Public employee retirees should have to contribute more toward their health care benefits because of state and local government budget problems Public employee retirees should not have to Not sure 26%
66% 9%
5. If your state and local governments did not have enough money to pay the salaries and benefits of current public employees, would you be willing to have taxes raised so that the salaries and benefits could be paid at current levels?
Yes No Not sure
34% 63% 3%
6. Okay, and if they did not have enough money to pay the salaries and benefits of current public employees, would you be willing to have social service programs provided by your state cut so that the salaries and benefits could be paid at current levels?
Yes No Not sure
24% 70% 6%
CRISIS WITH STATE BUDGETS AND PUBLIC EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Now Id like to ask a few questions about the crisis that many state and local governments faced this year over their finances.
7. From what you know, did your state face a budget crisis this year? And if so, how was the crisis resolved? Yes, it was resolved with spending cuts Yes, it was resolved with tax increases Yes, it was resolved with a combination of spending cuts and tax increases Yes, it was resolved in another way [list] No, my state did not face a budget crisis this year Not sure 19% 3% 42%
13% 8% 14%
8. As you may know, many U.S. state governments are facing large budget deficits this year, meaning that their spending has exceeded the amount of revenue that they have brought in from fees and taxes. This has caused many public employee pension plans and healthcare plans to be greatly underfunded. What would you say is the main reason for these problems? [read choices] State governments spent too much money State governments did not tax enough Public employees benefits are too high and unsustainable Elected state officials made careless and self-serving decisions Not sure 27% 5% 14% 48% 6%
9. In your opinion, what is the best way to address the problem of states not being able to afford public employee benefits? [read choices] 5 Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
Raise taxes Cut government spending Require current public employees to contribute more towards their benefits Require retired public employees to contribute more towards their benefits Not sure
15% 44% 26%
4%
11%
10. What would you say is the least desirable way to address the problem? [read choices] Raise taxes Cut government spending Require current public employees to contribute more towards their benefits Require retired public employees to contribute more towards their benefits Not sure 45% 15% 6%
29%
4%
11. Generally speaking, do you favor or oppose reducing or eliminating certain state services to reduce budget deficits? TOTAL FAVOR TOTAL OPPOSE Strongly favor Somewhat favor Strongly oppose Somewhat oppose Not sure 44% 47% 16% 28% 27% 20% 9%
12. Do you favor or oppose increasing state sales, income or other taxes to reduce budget deficits? 6 Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
TOTAL FAVOR TOTAL OPPOSE Strongly favor Somewhat favor Strongly oppose Somewhat oppose Not sure
39% 58% 16% 24% 44% 14% 3%
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
Now Id like to ask you some questions about the process where state and local government employees bargain with those jurisdictions over wages and benefits. 13. How much have you heard or read about the recent efforts in many states to reduce state budget deficits by cutting the benefits of public employees -- a lot, some, not much or nothing at all? TOTAL A LOT/SOME TOTAL NOT MUCH/NOTHING A lot Some Not much Nothing at all Not sure 79% 21% 38% 40% 11% 10% 0%
14. Collective bargaining is a process of negotiations between employers and labor union representatives aimed at reaching agreements that regulate working conditions and determine salary and benefits. Advocates of collective bargaining say that by negotiating as part of a union rather than individually, public employees can have more leverage in securing the higher pay and more generous benefits that they deserve. Opponents say that public employees should not bargain collectively and use the power of the group to potentially limit, delay or restrict the delivery of important government services. Which position is closer to your view?
By negotiating as part of a union rather than individually, public employees can have more leverage in securing the higher pay and more generous benefits that they deserve Public employees should not bargain collectively and use the power of the group to potentially limit, delay or restrict the delivery of important government services
54%
36%
Not sure
11%
15. Some states are trying to restrict collective bargaining rules of public employee unions. Do you favor or oppose restricting some of the collective bargaining rules of these unions? TOTAL FAVOR TOTAL OPPOSE Strongly favor Somewhat favor Strongly oppose Somewhat oppose Not sure 35% 51% 25% 10% 36% 15% 13%
16. Some say that people go to work for public entities because they want the security of being part of a public employee union and they want to have better pension and health care benefits, and so it is unfair to require people to contribute more towards these benefits. Others say that these benefits should be provided if state governments can afford them, but if they cant afford them, everyone must accept the fiscal realities of these times and the benefits should be reduced or employees should be required to contribute more towards them. Which is closer to your view?
People work for public entities because they want the security, better pension and health care benefits, so it is unfair to require people to contribute more towards these benefits These benefits should be given if state governments can afford them, but if they cant afford them, everyone must accept the fiscal realities of these times and the benefits should be reduced or employees should be required to contribute more towards them Not sure
35%
60%
6%
17. Some people say that collective bargaining is an essential right of public employees. Budget problems states face are the result of mismanagement and overspending, and public sector 9 Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
workers have bargained for the pay and benefits they received and have earned them by receiving higher levels of training and education. Others say that collective bargaining gives public sector employees an effective monopoly control over the governments workforce, giving the unions too much power over government budgets, which they use to get too much public money spent for their salaries and benefits. Which position is closer to your view?
Collective bargaining is an essential right of public employees. Budget problems states face are the result of mismanagement and overspending, and public sector workers have bargained for the pay and benefits they received Collective bargaining gives public sector employees an effective monopoly control over the governments workforce, allowing the unions to get too much public money spent for their salaries and benefits. Not sure
52%
43%
6%
18. Some people say that limiting collective bargaining will result in more reasonable benefits for public employees and thus help states close their budget gaps. Others say that it is unclear how much money will actually be saved by limiting these rights. Which is closer to your view?
Limiting collective bargaining will result in more reasonable benefits for public employees and thus help states close their budget gaps It is unclear how much money will actually be saved by limiting these rights Not sure
24%
63%
13%
19. Some people say that tenure for teachers should be phased out because tenure protects bad teachers from being fired while making it harder to bring in new and better teachers. Others say that teacher tenure is a longstanding right for public school teachers and it would be unfair for it to be taken away from them. Which opinion is closer to your view?
Tenure for teachers should be phased out because tenure protects bad teachers from being fired while making it harder to bring in new and better teachers Teacher tenure is a longstanding right for public school teachers and it
54%
40% 10
Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
would be unfair for it to be taken away from them Not sure 6%
Pension Plans
Now Im going to ask you a few questions about pension plans and how they may be offered to employees.
20. States are now moving away from defined benefit programs, where employees are guaranteed a set payment upon retirement based on their salary and years of work, to defined contribution programs that most private sector workers are enrolled in, where both the employer and employee contribute to the retirement plan and the actual payout is based on the investment return. This is because defined benefit programs are too expensive. Do you favor or oppose giving public employees a choice between participating in a defined benefit plan or a defined contribution plan?
69% 20% 35% 34% 14% 5% 11%
21. Some people say that giving public employees the opportunity to participate in a defined contribution plan, which gives the employee the power to make decisions and the ability to take the plan with them as they move around from job-to-job because defined contribution plans offer investor choice and portability. Do you favor or oppose giving public employees a choice between participating in a defined benefit plan or a defined contribution plan to increase investor choice and portability?
TOTAL FAVOR TOTAL OPPOSE
73% 16%
Strongly favor Somewhat favor Strongly oppose Somewhat oppose Not sure
47% 26% 12% 4% 11%
22. Okay, and do you favor or oppose moving all new public employees from a defined benefit plan to a defined contribution plan?
51% 31% 37% 15% 16% 14% 18%
LABOR UNIONS
23. In general, do you think the salaries and benefits of most public employees are too high for the work that they do, too low for the work that they do, or are their salaries and benefits about right for the work that they do? Too high Too low About right Not sure 30% 19% 41% 9%
24. Do you think police officers and firefighters should be able to retire after 25 years of service and begin collecting pension checks, even if they are in their forties or fifties, or should they have to be older than that to retire and collect pension checks regardless of the number of years they have served?
They should be able to retire after 25 years and begin collecting pension checks, even if they are in their forties or fifties They should have to be older than that to retire and collect pension checks Not sure
48%
47%
5%
25. Do you think teachers should be able to retire after a set period of service and begin collecting pension checks even if they are younger than 65, or should they not be able to do this?
They should be able to retire and collect pension checks even if they are younger than 65 They should not be able to Not sure
63%
32% 5%
26. Public employee unions lobby and elect public officials with whom they later negotiate in the collective bargaining process. Do you think this gives them too much influence, or is this not really a concern?
This gives them too much influence This is not really a concern Not sure
49% 43% 8%
Outcomes of Reform
Im going to read you a list of outcomes that people say will result from reforming the way public employees are compensated and the benefits they receive. For each, please tell me whether this is likely to happen as a result of reforming public employees salaries and benefits.
27. Reforming public employees salaries and benefits will equalize private and public sector salaries
Much more likely to support reform Somewhat more likely Not more likely Not sure
13% 35% 32% 20%
28. Reforming public employees salaries and benefits will make government more efficient and effective
19% 36% 36% 9%
29. Reforming public employees salaries and benefits will help preserve key social programs by making government more efficient
Much more likely to support reform
12%
Somewhat more likely Not more likely Not sure
38% 29% 21%
30. Reforming public employees salaries and benefits will hold the line on taxes
25% 22% 39% 14%
31. We have just asked about outcomes from reforming wages and salaries. Collective bargaining is the process of how these wages and salaries are negotiated. If there is collective bargaining reform, do you think it will make government more efficient and effective, or will it not make it more efficient and effective?
Government will become more efficient and effective It will not become more efficient and effective Not sure
42% 45% 13%
32. We have just asked about outcomes from reforming wages and salaries. Collective bargaining is the process of how these wages and salaries are negotiated. If there is collective bargaining reform, do you think it will equalize private and public sector salaries?
Yes No Not sure
28% 53% 19%
33. We have just asked about outcomes from reforming wages and salaries. Collective bargaining is the process of how these wages and salaries are negotiated. If there is collective bargaining reform, do you think it will help preserve key social programs by making government more efficient?
Yes No Not sure
47% 44% 10%
34. Okay, and do you think collective bargaining reform will make state budgets more resilient?
Yes No Not sure
40% 44% 16%
35. Which is more important to improving the states finances reforming the collective bargaining process, or reforming the way public employees are compensated and the benefits they receive?
Reforming collective bargaining Reforming public employees salaries and benefits Not sure
32% 42% 26%
QUESTIONS ABOUT NEW YORK
36. New York balanced its budget this year by reducing spending in most areas rather than raising taxes. Do you favor or oppose this plan?
75% 22% 47% 28% 15% 7% 3%
37. New York recently enacted a new property tax law, which caps property taxes at 2% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. Do you favor or oppose this law?
69% 23% 36% 32% 13% 10% 8%
38. Some say this law will help make New York more affordable. Others say the cap will undercut education and local government services, causing layoffs and steep cuts in municipal services. Which position is closer to your views? 19 Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
This law will help make New York more affordable This law will undercut government services and cause layoffs Not sure
47% 40% 13%
39. Why do you think that people are leaving New York? [two choices accepted]
Lack of opportunity Taxes are too high The cost of living is too expensive There are not enough jobs Other [list] Not sure
14% 41% 60% 34% 16% 4%
40. To earn enough money to pay our pension guarantees to government employees, pension funds are invested in stocks and other assets that carry some financial risk, as stocks can lose money in the short term. Currently, New York taxpayers bear all of the financial risks involved in guaranteeing payment of public pensions, as they must make up the difference when pension funds lose money in the stock market or fail to earn as much as they need. Some have suggested that the risk be shared in some way. Who do you think should bear the financial risks of the public pension system?
Taxpayers entirely Mostly taxpayers, with public employees paying some of the cost The risk should be evenly divided between taxpayers and public employees Mostly public employees, with taxpayers bearing some of the burden Public employees entirely
7% 3% 40%
13% 26%
Not sure
10%
41. In the wake of the financial crisis and stock market losses, taxpayer-funded contributions to New York pension are expected to more than double over the next few years. Given this information, who do you think should bear the financial risks of the public pension system?
Taxpayers entirely Mostly taxpayers, with public employees paying some of the cost The risk should be evenly divided between taxpayers and public employees Mostly public employees, with taxpayers bearing some of the burden Public employees entirely Not sure
7% 2% 39%
15% 27% 10%
42. Some people say that because public pensions are guaranteed by the NYS Constitution, the pension plan in place at the time a public employee is hired can never be changed, and any changes in benefits or contributions can only affect newly hired employees. Do you think the Constitution should be changed so that pension benefits can be changed after an employee is hired, or should the Constitution not be changed?
The Constitution should be changed so that pension benefits can be changed after an employee is hired The Constitution should not be changed Not sure
41%
50% 9%
43. Would you favor changing this provision to allow the Governor and the Legislature more flexibility to change pension benefits for current government employees? Yes 42%
No Not sure
49% 8%
44. [If yes] What change would you favor?
Increase employee contribution to the pension fund when it lose money Raise the retirement age for current public workers Lengthen the amount of time a current employee must work for the government to qualify for a maximum pension
37% 23% 31%
45. Do you favor or oppose raising the retirement age for all employees besides police and firemen from 62 to 65?
46% 43% 35% 12% 26% 17% 10%
46. Some states have raised the retirement age to 67. Do you favor or oppose this? TOTAL FAVOR TOTAL OPPOSE Strongly favor Somewhat favor 27% 63% 21% 6% 22 Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
Strongly oppose Somewhat oppose Not sure
48% 15% 10%
47. Governor Cuomo has proposed reducing benefits so that the maximum benefit after 30 years would be 50% instead of 60% of an employees highest final average salary. Do you favor or oppose this? TOTAL FAVOR TOTAL OPPOSE Strongly favor Somewhat favor Strongly oppose Somewhat oppose Not sure 42% 47% 24% 18% 38% 10% 10%
48. Governor Cuomo has proposed raising the employee contribution for pension benefits from 3% of salary a year for most workers to 6% of salary a year for all workers. Do you favor or oppose this? TOTAL FAVOR TOTAL OPPOSE Strongly favor Somewhat favor Strongly oppose Somewhat oppose Not sure 66% 28% 45% 21% 19% 9% 6%
49. Do you favor a pension system where public employees would have to bear some of the cost of their benefits, or do you favor a system where taxpayers should bear all of the cost, even if the ultimate benefit level is lower? A pension system where public employees would have to bear some of the cost A pension system where taxpayers bear the cost but benefits are lower Not sure 81%
8% 10%
50. The pension benefits offered to New York public employees replace 77% of an average worker's paycheck, without counting additional social security benefits. Some people say this is because the cost of living in New York is very high and they need the money. Others say it is too much, and it should be reduced. Which position is closer to your view?
This is because the cost of living in New York is very high and they need the money Too low It is too much, and it should be reduced Not sure
55%
37% 7%
51. In your opinion, what percentage of public employees final compensation should they get in pensions and other benefits?
Under 50% 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% Over 80% Not sure
25% 25% 9% 7% 7% 26%
DEMOGRAPHICS 52. Age
Under 18 [END] 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-64 65 and older REFUSED
0% 22% 21% 19% 26% 11% 1%
53. Gender
Male Female
46% 54%
54. Race/Ethnicity
White or Caucasian Black or African-American Hispanic Asian Some other racial or ethnic heritage REFUSED
71% 17% 6% 3% 1% 2%
55. Party 25 Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
Democrat Republican Independent Other REFUSED
52% 20% 17% 7% 3%
56. Religion
Protestant Evangelical Catholic Jewish Muslim Atheist or Agnostic Other None Not sure
29% 2% 34% 11% 2% 3% 5% 11% 4%
57. Do you consider yourself liberal, moderate or conservative?
Liberal Moderate Conservative
22% 46% 25%
58. What is the highest level of education you have completed? Some high school or less High school graduate Some college College graduate Some graduate school Graduate degree Technical school 2% 15% 15% 35% 5% 26% 1%
59. Do you belong to a union?
Yes No
24% 76%
60. [If yes] Is it a public or private union?
Public Private REFUSED
70% 28% 3%
61. What is your current work status?
Working full time Working part time Retired
49% 14% 17%
Other REFUSED
20% 0%
62. [if full/part time] Do you work in the private sector or the public sector?
Private Public REFUSED
68% 31% 0%
63. Region NYC Suburbs Upstate 64. Income 38% 20% 42%
You and your family earn less than $20,000 annually $20,000 to $40,000 $40,000 to $60,000 $60,000 to $75,000 $75,000 to $100,000 More than $100,000 Not sure
9% 16% 10% 13% 15% 24% 13%
____________________________________________________________________________________ Methodology 28 Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
Douglas E. Schoen, LLC conducted interviews with 400 randomly selected voters from August 29 September 5, 2011 in each of the following states: FL, IL, IN, MI, MT, NC, NY, OH, PA, WI. The margin of error for each of these surveys is +/-4.9%. Each survey was conducted by telephone using random digit dialing, which gives every phone subscriber and cell phone user a theoretically equal chance of being selected.
Douglas E. Schoen, LLC Manhattan Institute State Survey September 17-18, 2011 ADDENDUM SURVEY Survey of 400 registered voters in New York
CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
1. Some states are trying to restrict the influence of public employee unions on contract negotiations to give employers more flexibility in meeting their budget goals. Do you favor or oppose restricting the influence of unions in order to meet budget goals? TOTAL FAVOR TOTAL OPPOSE Strongly favor Somewhat favor Strongly oppose Somewhat oppose Not sure 40% 45% 23% 17% 28% 17% 15%
2. Some people say that public employee unions negotiate employment contracts that cost more than their private-sector counterparts, costing taxpayers more than they should. Others say that public employees need to negotiate through their unions to get fair pay and benefits. Which position is closer to your view? Public employee unions negotiate employment contracts that cost more 27% than their private-sector counterparts, costing taxpayers more than they should. Public employees need to negotiate through their unions to get fair pay and 62% benefits. Not sure 11%
3. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Public employees should be paid the same salary and benefits as private sector employees who do the same kind of work. TOTAL AGREE TOTAL DISAGREE Strongly agree 77% 12% 58% 31 Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Not sure
19% 8% 4% 11%
4. Some people say that limiting the influence public employee unions have in bargaining employment contracts will result in more reasonable benefits for public employees and thus help the states close their budget gaps. Others say it will ultimately hurt public employees and cost the state more money. Which position is closer to your view?
Limiting the influence of public employee unions in contract negotiations will 43% result in more reasonable benefits and help states close budget gaps. Limiting the influence of public employee unions in contract negotiations will 42% hurt public employees and cost the state more money Not sure 15%
5. A unique New York law requires all provisions of a public-sector union contract to remain in effect until a new contract is settled, no matter how long it takes. As a result, many public employees continue to receive automatic annual pay increases after their union contracts have expired. Local elected officials say this law gives unions a negotiating advantage, since public employees have nothing to lose by refusing to consider contract concessions that would save money for taxpayers. Unions say that by making it harder for employers to change their pay and benefits, the law has prevented public employee strikes. Which opinion is closer to your view?
This law should be repealed because it gives unions a negotiating advantage.
35%
The law should be retained because otherwise public employees might go 41% on strike. Not sure 24%
PAY AND BENEFITS
6. State and local government workers pay an average of 29% of their health insurance premiums, compared to 31% in the private sector. Governor Cuomo recently negotiated two new contracts with state government employees that will raise their health insurance contributions to a level closer to the national average. However, some large groups of local government employees in New York continue to contribute much less. Do you think that all public employees in New York should be required to contribute as much to their health insurance as state government employees do? Yes No Not sure 61% 29% 10%
7. The New York State Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness has recommended that all local government and school district employees be required to contribute at least 10% of health insurance premiums for individual coverage, and at least 25% for family coverage. Local governments would remain free to bargain for higher contributions. Keeping in mind that some public employees now pay closer to the national average in health insurance contributions, but some pay nothing, do you favor or oppose this proposal?
50% 36% 36% 14% 19% 17% 14%
8. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? In a fiscal crisis, elected officials should be able to suspend union contracts and temporarily freeze salaries of public employees in order to save public employee jobs and preserve services. 33 Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
TOTAL AGREE TOTAL DISAGREE Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Not sure
48% 48% 21% 27% 21% 27% 4%
RETIREMENT
9. Public school teachers in New York are able to retire with full, taxpayer-funded pensions in their late 50s. Do you think this age is about right, or is it too young? About right Too young Not sure 36% 54% 10%
10. A typical private pension plan replaces less than 50% of an employees peak income before retirement, while public pension plans in New York can replace more than 70 percent of peak earnings for a career public employee. Governor Cuomo has proposed a bill that would reduce this wage replacement rate to a level closer to what is offered by private pension plans. Do you favor or oppose this? TOTAL FAVOR TOTAL OPPOSE Strongly favor Somewhat favor Strongly oppose Somewhat oppose Not sure 43% 46% 27% 16% 26% 20% 11%
DEMOGRAPHICS 11. Age
Under 18 [END] 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-64 65 and older REFUSED
0% 22% 21% 19% 26% 11% 1%
12. Gender
Male Female
46% 54%
13. Race/Ethnicity
White or Caucasian Black or African-American Hispanic Asian Some other racial or ethnic heritage REFUSED
71% 17% 6% 3% 1% 2%
14. Party 36 Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
Democrat Republican Independent Other REFUSED
48% 26% 18% 4% 3%
15. Religion
Protestant Evangelical Catholic Jewish Muslim Atheist or Agnostic Other None Not sure
26% 1% 31% 13% 2% 3% 6% 11% 6%
16. Do you consider yourself liberal, moderate or conservative?
Liberal Moderate Conservative
27% 40% 25%
17. What is the highest level of education you have completed? Some high school or less High school graduate Some college College graduate Some graduate school Graduate degree Technical school DK/REF 0% 17% 15% 25% 4% 36% 2% 1%
18. Do you belong to a union?
Yes No
26% 74%
19. [If yes] Is it a public or private union?
Public Private REFUSED
84% 15% 0%
20. What is your current work status?
Working full time Working part time
58% 11%
Retired Other REFUSED
15% 14% 2%
21. [if full/part time] Do you work in the private sector or the public sector?
Private Public REFUSED
68% 32% 0%
22. Region NYC Suburbs Upstate 42% 18% 40%
23. Income
You and your family earn less than $20,000 annually $20,000 to $40,000 $40,000 to $60,000 $60,000 to $75,000 $75,000 to $100,000 More than $100,000 Not sure
8% 12% 9% 11% 16% 26% 17%
____________________________________________________________________________________ 39 Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
Methodology Douglas E. Schoen, LLC conducted an additional survey in New York State with 400 randomly selected voters from September 17-18, 2011. The margin of error for this survey is +/-4.9%. The survey was conducted by telephone using random digit dialing, which gives every phone subscriber and cell phone user a theoretically equal chance of being selected.

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MOOD OF THE COUNTRY

Yes No Not sure

Yes No Not sure

CRISIS WITH STATE BUDGETS AND PUBLIC EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

15% 44% 26%

39% 58% 16% 24% 44% 14% 3%

would be unfair for it to be taken away from them Not sure 6%

69% 20% 35% 34% 14% 5% 11%

TOTAL FAVOR TOTAL OPPOSE

47% 26% 12% 4% 11%

51% 31% 37% 15% 16% 14% 18%

13% 35% 32% 20%

19% 36% 36% 9%

Much more likely to support reform

Somewhat more likely Not more likely Not sure

38% 29% 21%

25% 22% 39% 14%

42% 45% 13%

Yes No Not sure

28% 53% 19%

Yes No Not sure

47% 44% 10%

Yes No Not sure

40% 44% 16%

32% 42% 26%

QUESTIONS ABOUT NEW YORK

75% 22% 47% 28% 15% 7% 3%

69% 23% 36% 32% 13% 10% 8%

47% 40% 13%

14% 41% 60% 34% 16% 4%

15% 27% 10%

44. [If yes] What change would you favor?

37% 23% 31%

46% 43% 35% 12% 26% 17% 10%

Strongly oppose Somewhat oppose Not sure

48% 15% 10%

Under 50% 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% Over 80% Not sure

25% 25% 9% 7% 7% 26%

DEMOGRAPHICS 52. Age

Under 18 [END] 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-64 65 and older REFUSED

0% 22% 21% 19% 26% 11% 1%

Democrat Republican Independent Other REFUSED

52% 20% 17% 7% 3%

29% 2% 34% 11% 2% 3% 5% 11% 4%

57. Do you consider yourself liberal, moderate or conservative?

Liberal Moderate Conservative

22% 46% 25%

59. Do you belong to a union?

60. [If yes] Is it a public or private union?

Public Private REFUSED

61. What is your current work status?

Working full time Working part time Retired

49% 14% 17%

Private Public REFUSED

9% 16% 10% 13% 15% 24% 13%

Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Not sure

This law should be repealed because it gives unions a negotiating advantage.

PAY AND BENEFITS

50% 36% 36% 14% 19% 17% 14%

48% 48% 21% 27% 21% 27% 4%

DEMOGRAPHICS 11. Age