Background Memo  

The most recent survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind was conducted by telephone from February 27 through March 4 using a randomly selected statewide sample of 800 registered voters.  The sampling error for 800 respondents 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 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. Results are mathematically weighted to match known demographics.

Question: Now, turning to New Jersey… In your opinion, do you think things in New Jersey are moving in the right direction or do you think the state has gotten off on the wrong track?

Question:  Have you heard of [rotate list]? If you haven't just tell me. [If yes, ask:] Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of …? Would that be very or somewhat?

• Jon Corzine
• Frank Lautenberg
• Cory Booker
• Bob Menendez

Question: How would you rate the job Jon Corzine is doing as governor… [READ]?

• Excellent
• Good
• Only fair
• Poor

Question: Do you approve or disapprove of the job Jon Corzine is doing as governor?

Question: Recently, New Jersey raised its sales tax from 6 per cent to 7 per cent. So far, how much of a difference has this made to you personally…?

• A great deal
• Some
• Just a little
• Or not at all

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 Governor's proposed state budget for the coming year…?

• A great deal
• Some
• Just a little
• Nothing at all

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

Question: It has been suggested that the New Jersey Turnpike could be leased to a private company. The private company would run the turnpike and pay the state a large amount of money. How much have you heard or read about this proposal?

• A great deal
• Some
• Just a little
• Nothing at all

Question: And do you think it would be a good idea or a bad idea to lease the New Jersey Turnpike?

Question: It has also been suggested that the New Jersey Lottery could be leased to a private company. The private company would run the lottery and pay the state a large amount of money. How much have you heard or read about this proposal?

• A great deal
• Some
• Just a little
• Nothing at all

Question: And do you think it would be a good idea or a bad idea to lease the New Jersey Lottery?

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

• Public schools
• Roads and highways
• Local government
• Pensions and health care for public employees
• Fraud, waste, and abuse
• 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?

• Increase a lot
• Increase a little
• Stay same
• Decrease a little
• Decrease a lot

see also:
Survey Analysis
Tabular Results

Republican Response
Democratic Response