Table 1
Question: Do you believe the budget deficit is as large as Governor McGreevey says, or is the deficit actually much smaller as others say?
All Democrats Independents Republicans
Deficit is as large 42% 52% 45% 22%
Deficit is much smaller 39% 27% 38% 60%
Don't know 19% 21% 17% 18%

Table 2

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

 

All

Democrats

Independents

Republicans

The terrorist attacks on September 11th 9% 9% 6% 9%
Poor economic performance 25% 20% 21% 35%
Governor McGreevey 3% 3% 1% 7%
Previous Governor Whitman 35% 42% 42% 20%
Previous Acting Governor DiFrancesco 4% 4% 4% 5%
The Republican Legislature 7% 9% 7% 4%
Other 6% 5% 5% 10%
Don't know 11% 9% 14% 10%

Table 3

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

All

Dem

Ind

Rep

Vote every year

Vote most years

Vote every few years or rarely

Male

Female

Nothing at all 14% 14% 14% 13% 10% 14% 27% 12% 16%
Not very much 20% 22% 18% 18% 16% 22% 30% 19% 21%
Only a little 20% 20% 19% 23% 19% 26% 17% 20% 20%
Some 28% 27% 29% 27% 32% 26% 23% 25% 31%
Quite a bit 12% 11% 15% 11% 15% 9% 4% 17% 8%
A great deal 6% 6% 6% 7% 8% 4% 0% 7% 5%

Table 4

Question: If you had to choose, would you prefer…?
  All Democrats Independents Republicans
A budget that increases or improves state programs and services and raises some taxes and fees 40% 52% 39% 24%
A budget that reduces state programs and services and cuts some taxes and fees 45% 34% 43% 64%
Don't know 16% 14% 18% 12%

Table 5

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?

 

All

Democrats

Independents

Republicans

Raising cigarette taxes by 50 cents per pack?

 
Good idea 74% 75% 73% 75%

 
Bad idea 21% 19% 22% 22%

 
Unsure 4% 5% 5% 3%
Doubling fees for auto registration and inspection?

 
Good idea 14% 16% 14% 15%

 
Bad idea 81% 79% 83% 82%

 
Unsure 4% 5% 3% 4%
Extending the sales tax to include the complimentary rooms and meals that Atlantic City casinos give to their high rollers?

 
Good idea 67% 66% 69% 65%

 
Bad idea 25% 23% 25% 28%

 
Unsure 8% 11% 6% 6%
Increasing revenues raised from business taxes from 700 million dollars to 1.7 billion dollars?

 
Good idea 36% 44% 36% 26%

 
Bad idea 43% 31% 43% 59%

 
Unsure 19% 23% 19% 14%
Increasing the gasoline tax?

 
Good idea 22% 23% 24% 18%

 
Bad idea 73% 71% 72% 77%

 
Unsure 5% 7% 3% 4%
Borrowing up to $1 billion against money New Jersey and other states are expecting from their successful law suit against the tobacco companies?

 
Good idea 30% 34% 32% 25%

 
Bad idea 54% 46% 53% 65%

 
Unsure 14% 19% 13% 8%
Using some surplus money in the unemployment insurance trust fund and the teachers' health insurance trust fund?

 
Good idea 17% 19% 15% 16%

 
Bad idea 72% 69% 77% 73%

 
Unsure 10% 12% 8% 9%

Table 6

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.

 

All

Democrats

Independents

Republicans

Eliminating an expected increase in funds for higher education?

Good idea 18% 13% 18% 26%
Bad idea 72% 77% 74% 64%
Unsure 10% 10% 8% 9%

Eliminating an expected increase in state aid to school districts?

 
Good idea 15% 10% 15% 20%

 
Bad idea 78% 83% 79% 70%

 
Unsure 7% 7% 6% 9%

Eliminating an expected increase in state aid to municipalities?

 
Good idea 24% 25% 23% 22%

 
Bad idea 55% 53% 55% 58%

 
Unsure 21% 22% 20% 19%

Reducing the state workforce through attrition and early retirement incentives?

 
Good idea 62% 60% 62% 65%

 
Bad idea 24% 24% 25% 23%

 
Unsure 13% 15% 13% 11%

Eliminating the property tax rebate for those families earning 200,000 dollars a year?

 
Good idea 65% 66% 65% 62%

 
Bad idea 28% 27% 28% 33%

 
Unsure 7% 7% 7% 5%

Table 7

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?
  All Democrats Independents Republicans
Agree 73% 68% 75% 79%
Disagree 18% 20% 16% 17%
Don't know 9% 13% 10% 4%

Contacts: Bruce Larson, survey analyst: 973-443-8727.
Rick Thigpen, academic associate, 609-394-0888.
Steve Salmore, research professor of political science: 973-292-3633.
Peter Woolley, coordinator: 973-443-8725

Radio actuality line: (201) 692-2846.

For more information, please call (201) 692-7032.


see also:

Larson's Analysis
Salmore's Analysis
Thigpen's Analysis
Survey Details

Copyright © 2002, Fairleigh Dickinson University. All rights reserved. FDU PublicMind Poll [Latest update 020529]