Background Memo  

The most recent survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind was conducted by telephone from April 4 through April 10 using a randomly selected statewide sample of 800 registered voters aged 18 and over.  The sampling error for 800 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. PublicMind interviews are conducted by TMR, Inc. of Parsippany, NJ.  Professionally trained interviewers use 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.

The wording and order of the questions included in this release are as follows:

Question: Now I’d like to ask you a few questions about the New Jersey State budget.  How much have you heard or read about the Acting Governor’s proposed state budget for the coming year?

Question: The budget proposal this year calls for not increasing overall spending. From what you’ve read or heard, do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?

Question: The state budget proposes how to raise money as well as how much to spend. In order to raise money 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?

• Reduce property tax rebates for Senior Citizens from $1200 to $800.
• Suspend property tax rebates for homeowners
• Raise income taxes on homeowners who make over $200,000 a year by not allowing them to deduct their property taxes on their state income tax return.
• Keep the sales tax the same but extend it to other things like some professional services.
• Increase the inheritance tax on the wealthy.
• Collect a new tax (of 2% on gross sales) from cable television companies.
• Increase the transfer tax on houses sold for over $150,000?

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 it’s is good idea, a bad idea…

• Don’t increase state aid to cities and municipalities  
• Don’t increase state aid to public education
• Cut out special grants to cities and municipalities
• Eliminate 500 state jobs.
• Don’t increase retirement benefits for public employees
• Suspend property tax rebates for homeowners
• Don’t increase state aid to Colleges and Universities

Question:  Now in order to balance the budget, some people say….  Others say to balance the budget…. Which position comes closest to your view?

• the state should hold the line on spending even if programs are reduced
• the state should raise taxes if necessary and continue to support state programs

Question: Now, thinking about spending in the state budget, who or what do you think is most responsible for driving up state spending over the years?

• Public education
• Roads and highways
• Local government
• Salaries and health care costs for public employees
• Fraud, waste, and abuse
• Politicians who just want to spend
• Just normal growth

Question: Now, thinking about taxes, who or what do you think is most responsible for driving up state taxes over the years?

• Public education
• Roads and highways
• Local government
• Salaries and health care costs for public employees
• Fraud, waste, and abuse
• Politicians who just want to spend
• Just normal growth

Question: Now, thinking about property taxes… Do you expect property taxes where you live to increase this year, decrease, or stay about the same?... a little or a lot?

Question:  The state rebates money to some homeowners in order to even out the property tax burden. Now some people say that if the state rebates less money this year…. Others say if the state rebates less money this year…. Which comes closer to your view?

• that’s the same as raising taxes.
• that’s because the state is cutting its spending

Question: Taking everything into account, do you think the budget Gov. Codey has proposed is good for New Jersey or bad for New Jersey?

see also:
Survey Analysis
Thigpen's Analysis
Salmore's Analysis
Tabular Results