For Immediate Release: Monday, April 12, 2004

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

Pataki Approval Up 3 Points to 46%

Legislature Up 4 Points to 35%

AG Spitzer up 4 points to 59%; Comptroller Hevesi up 2 points to 43%

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Loudonville, NY –Governor Pataki’s overall approval rating went up 3 points in March to 46%, and the State Legislature’s approval went up 4 points to 35%, according to the most recent Siena New York Poll from Siena (College) Research Institute (SRI). 

The Governor’s approval increased at least 2 or 3 percentage points among most demographics;

• His approval increased most significantly among women - up 9 points to 51% - and among Independents and “other” party members – up 6 points to 46%.
• His only decrease in approval was among men – down 3 points to 40%.
• The Governor’s highest approval rating is among Republicans, at 56%; his lowest approval rating, among Democrats and men, is 40%.
• His overall disapproval rating decreased 1 point to 40%.

After experiencing a drop in approval nearly across the board the previous month, the New York State Legislature’s approval rating went up or remained the same among the sub-groups measured:

• The Legislature’s approval rose most significantly among Republicans – up 12 points to 44% - higher income households- up 6 points to 36% - and outside New York City – up 7 points to 35%.
• Approval remained the same in New York City (34%) and among Democrats (32%).
• The Legislature’s highest approval rating is 44%, among Republicans; its lowest is 29%, among older New Yorkers.
• The Legislature’s disapproval dropped 2 points to 41%.

Attorney General Eliot Spitzer’s overall approval went up 4 points to 59%; his disapproval went up 3 points to 15%, and his “Don’t Know/No Opinion” responses decreased 7 points to 26%.

Comptroller Alan Hevesi’s overall approval increased 2 points to 43%; his disapproval went up 5 points to 16% and his “Don’t Know/No Opinion” responses went down 6 points to 42%.

 “All state government elected officials enjoyed a small boost in approval in March,” notes Joe Caruso, Director of Polling for the Siena Research Institute (SRI). “Still, the numbers are not good for the Governor and the Legislature, as both seem to be mired in a low approval/high disapproval situation. The Governor’s 46% approval rating is only 2 points below his approval at the same time last year, and 2 points above his twelve month average, but his disapproval remains high: 40%. The Legislature’s 41% disapproval continues to outweigh its approval. The Attorney General continues to receive one of the highest approval ratings New Yorkers give their elected officials. The Comptroller seems well-received by those who recognize him, but 42% still respond to questions on his approval with a ‘don’t know’ or ‘no opinion’ response.” 

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 March 2004 by random telephone calls to 622 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.    

The Siena New York Poll for March 2004

Approval Ratings: Governor Pataki and NYS Legislature