Methodology, Questions, and Tables The most recent survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind was conducted by telephone from May 15 through May 20 using a randomly selected sample of 746 registered voters aged 18 and over. The sampling error for 746 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) conduct all interviews. 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: Do you believe the budget deficit is as large as Governor McGreevey says, or is the deficit actually much smaller as others say?

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

• The terrorist attacks on September 11th
• Poor economic performance
• Governor McGreevey
• Previous Governor Whitman
• Previous Acting Governor DiFrancesco
• The Republican Legislature
• Other

Question: How much have you heard or read about the Governor's proposed state budget?

• Nothing at all
• Not very much
• Only a little
• Some
• Quite a bit
• A great deal

Question: If you had to choose, would you prefer…?

• A budget that increases or improves state programs and services and raises some taxes and fees
• A budget that reduces state programs and services and cuts some taxes and fees

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?

• Raising cigarette taxes by 50 cents per pack?
• Doubling fees for auto registration and inspection?
• Extending the sales tax to include the complimentary rooms and meals that Atlantic City casinos give to their high rollers?
• Increasing revenues raised from business taxes from 700 million dollars to 1.7 billion dollars?
• Increasing the gasoline tax?
• Borrowing up to $1 billion against money New Jersey and other states are expecting from their successful law suit against the tobacco companies?
• Using some surplus money in the unemployment insurance trust fund and the teachers' health insurance trust fund?

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.

• Eliminating an expected increase in funds for higher education?
• Eliminating an expected increase in state aid to school districts?
• Eliminating an expected increase in state aid to municipalities?
• Reducing the state workforce through attrition and early retirement incentives?
• Eliminating the property tax rebate for those families earning 200,000 dollars a year?

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?

see also:
Larson's Analysis
Thigpen's Analysis
Salmore's Analysis
Tabular Results Copyright © 2002, Fairleigh Dickinson University. All rights reserved. FDU PublicMind Poll [Latest update 020530]