Poll: Broad support for Cuomo, medical marijuana, minimum wage and Gillibrand
Andrew Cuomo addresses reporters. Azi Paybarah
10:14 am Jun. 11, 20122
A Siena Research Institute poll released Monday morning finds support for Governor Andrew Cuomo, the legalization of medical marijuana, a minimum-wage hike and the re-election of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand remains strong.
When pollsters asked 807 registered voters whether they had "a favorable or unfavorable opinion" of Cuomo, 70 percent said favorable and 24 percent said unfavorable. He was popular among Democrats (76 percent) and Republicans (65 percent).
The governor's approval ratings hit a high of 77 percent last February and have stayed around the 70-percent mark since then.
His job-approval ratings also remain steady, with 16 percent saying he's doing an "excellent" job, 44 percent "good," 31 percent "fair," and 9 percent "poor." Last month it was 14 percent "excellent," 42 percent "good," 33 percent "fair," and 10 percent "poor."
The survey was conducted between June 3 and 6.
On June 4, both the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal reported that the gambling industry had made millions in contributions to a non-profit that lobbies on the governor's behalf. Around the same time, the governor forcefully endorsed the expansion of casino gambling in New York State. The next month, he included a gambling industry proposal to build a convention center in Queens in his State of the State address.
Medical marijuana remains popular: Sixty-one percent support its legalization, compared to 57 percent last month.
So, too, does a higher minimum wage: A majority of Democrats (88 percent) and Republicans (63 percent) support raising the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $8.50.
Cuomo recently said minimum wage isn't going to happen this term.
Meanwhile, the poll indicates that Gillibrand still enjoys a large popular advantage over the Republicans vying to replace her in the Senate.
Fifty percent of respondents had a favorable view of the junior senator, compared to 9 percent for George Maragos and Wendy Long and 16 percent for Bob Turner.
Turner saw reason for optimism.
"We're very pleased with the results of today's Siena College poll that continues to show Congressman Turner as the favored candidate to win the Republican Primary," he said, in a statement. "With just two weeks until the election, Rep. Turner is consistently gaining support among key constituencies, including women, Conservatives, Jewish and young voters."
All those giving Cuomo good or excellent marks are obviously out of touch. New Yorkers pay higher taxes today than when Cuomo took office. All he has done is to shift tax burdens from the State level to the local level. He hasn’t removed a single mandate. The tax cap is a joke - instead of needing 50.1% for a tax levy increase of 2%, localities need 60% for anything over a 2% levy increase. Police, fire departments, and schools across the state have had to lay off thousands of workers shifting them to public assistance. Local services such as road maintenance and trash pickup have been reduced. Every time he starts a sentence with “I have an idea” it ends with “Therefore, I will create a commission staffed with my political cronies to study it for 6 months.” He governs by do what I want or I will destroy you.
How can anyone in their right mind give Cuomo good marks?
Wake up Mr. Cuomo and tell the truth!!!You know in your heart and head that pot would help countless of people suffering from hideous diseases too numerous to mention!!!Try living with a severe case of crohns disease!!!Booze in any form compared to pot is a joke.But booze is no joke to the countless lives it ruins every year!!!So I once again I say,wake up Mr. Cuomo and help us like your Pop Mario would if only he was still the Governor!!!Tell me Mr.Cuomo,why is there a distinction between marijuana and alcohol(beer,wine and the"hard"stuff????You,me and every level headed person with a 1/4th of a brain in their heads knows there shouldn't be!!!Wake up,I beseech you Mr.Cuomo!!! Pot will be used for medical reasons sooner than later!!!It's just such a shame that you won't get on board so countless could benefit now!!!