Siena Research Institute

Siena College, Loudonville, NY

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 10, 2004

The Siena New York Poll for February: Approval Ratings: New York State Officials

Pataki Approval Down 5 Points to 43%

Legislature Down 5 Points to 31%

AG Spitzer down 2 points to 55%; Comptroller Hevesi down 1 point to 41%

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Loudonville, NY –Governor Pataki’s overall approval rating dropped 5 points in February to 43%, and the State Legislature’s approval dropped 5 point to 31%, according to the most recent Siena New York Poll from Siena (College) Research Institute (SRI). 

The Governor’s only increase in approval – up 3 points to 43% - was in New York City, where he suffered his lowest approval in January.  He reversed his significant gains of the previous month, with approval falling significantly among Republicans – down 12 points to 55% - and outside New York City – down 13 points to 43%.  His approval also fell 8 points among Independents and “other” party members (to 40%), and 7 points among higher income (to 43%), women (to 42%)and older New Yorkers (to 38%).

The Governor’s highest approval rating is among Republicans, at 55%; his lowest approval – 38% is among Democrats and older New Yorkers. His overall disapproval rating increased 3 points to 41%.

The New York State Legislature’s only rise in approval also was in New York City – up 2 points to 34%. Its approval also fell 10 points among Independents and “other” party member (to 28%) and  7 points among higher income (to 30%), older New Yorkers (to 25%), and women (to 33%).  

The Legislature’s highest approval rating is 34%, in New York City and among younger New Yorkers; his lowest is 25% among older New Yorkers. The Legislature’s disapproval went up 7 points to 43%.

Attorney General Eliot Spitzer’s overall approval went down 2 points to 55%; his disapproval went up 1 point to 12%, and his “Don’t Know/No Opinion” responses increased 1 point to 33%.  Comptroller Alan Hevesi’s overall approval dropped 1 point to 41%; his disapproval (11%) and his “Don’t Know/No Opinion” responses (48%).  remained the same.

 “Governor Pataki’s greatest drop in approval was in his own party: down 12 points to 55%,” notes Joe Caruso, Director of Polling for the Siena Research Institute (SRI). “But of equal concern is a growing

overall disapproval. It could be worse, though, as the President , Congress and the State Legislature can

attest, with their even lower approvals and higher disapprovals.”

For more information on the approval ratings of New York State Elected Officials and a recap of recently released ratings for the President, Congress, and New York’s U.S. senators, please visit the SRI website at www.siena.edu/sri/surveys.asp. This SRI survey was conducted during the month of February 2004 by random telephone calls to 620 New York State residents over the age of 18.  It has a margin of error of  + 3.9 percentage points. For more information or comments, please contact SRI Director of Polling Joe Caruso at 518-783-2901.