see also:
Tabular Results

Background Memo and Tables

The most recent survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind was conducted by telephone from April 12 through April 19 using a randomly selected sample of 820 registered voters aged 18 and over. The sampling error for 820 adults is 3.5 percentage points at the 95 percent level of confidence. Survey results are also subject to non-sampling error. This kind of error, which cannot be measured, arises from a number of factors including, but not limited to, non-response (eligible individuals refusing to be interviewed), question wording, the order in which questions are asked, and variations among interviewers. Our interviews are conducted by TMR, Inc. of Parsippany, NJ. Professionally trained interviewers using a CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing System). Random selection is achieved by computerized random-digit dialing. This technique gives every person with a phone number (including those with unlisted numbers) an equal chance of being selected. Registered voters are screened through a series of questions. Results are mathematically weighted to match known demographics.

Question: How would you rate the job Jim McGreevey is doing as governor—excellent, good, only fair, or poor?

Question: Do you think that Jim McGreevey has done a good enough job as governor to deserve reelection or would you rather see a new person in that job?

Question: Who or what do you think is most responsible for the budget deficit…[rotate] ?

• Sept 11th,terrorist attacks
• Poor economic performance
• Governor McGreevey
• Previous Governor Whitman
• Cuts in federal aid to NJ
• Other

Question: How much have you heard or read about

• The governor’s proposed state budget for 2003-04
• the war in Iraq
• A pneumonia-like illness called SARS

Question: In order to raise money and close the budget deficit, a number of proposals have been discussed. For each of these proposals, can you tell me whether you think it’s a good idea or a bad idea, or are you unsure? ..[Rotate list]

• Raising cigarette taxes by 40 cents per pack?
• Establishing a new 7% tax on hotel and motel Rentals?
• Extending the sales tax to include the complimentary rooms and meals that Atlantic City casinos give to their high rollers?
• Borrowing more against money New Jersey and other states are expecting from their successful law suit against the tobacco companies?
• Creating a new, higher tax rate for those who make more than $400,000 a year
• Increasing taxes on casino revenues?

Question: In order to close the budget deficit, a number of proposals to hold back spending have also been discussed. For each of these proposals, tell me whether you think each is good idea, a bad idea, or are you unsure.

• Cutting by 10% state aid to colleges and universities?
• Eliminating substantial state funding for arts, culture, and history programs?
• Cutting health insurance for some low- income adults in the state’s FamilyCare program?
• Cutting 1,000 state employees?
• Eliminating the property tax rebate for those families earning 100,000 dollars a year?
• Cutting state aid to New Jersey Transit
• Holding off the state’s contributions to pension funds for state employees?
• Not increasing state aid to K-12 schools?
• Not increasing state aid to municipalities?

Question: Do you agree, or disagree, that if state government was better run, the state budget could be balanced without either raising taxes and fees or reducing state programs and services?