Newsday and Hofstra poll on New York State attitudes

Q1.     All in all, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way things are going in this COUNTRY today?

	Satisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Don’t know[1]	Refused
Current
Total NY State:	26	62	8	2	1
Long Island:	20	70	7	2	0
Rest of NY:	28	61	8	2	1
National trends
October 2009:	28	65	n/a	5	2
September 2008:	18	77	n/a	5	--

Q2.     All in all, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way things are going in NEW YORK STATE today?

New York state total %	Long Island %	Rest of NY %
21	19	22	Satisfied
68	74	67	Dissatisfied
6	4	6	Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
3	2	3	Don't know
1	*	1	Refused

Q3.     Now I am going to ask you about several people and institutions. For each, I would like to know whether you strongly approve, approve, disapprove or strongly disapprove of their performance. (First,/Next,) do you approve or disapprove of [INSERT; ALWAYS ASK IN ORDER]? [IF NECESSARY, ASK: Is that strongly (approve/disapprove) or just (approve/disapprove)?]

	%	%	%	%	%	%	%
a.    The job Barack Obama is doing as president	Strong approve	Approve	Disapprove	Strong disapprove	(VOL.) OTHER/ NEITHER	DK
Total NY State:	19	43	21	11	4	1	*
Long Island:	13	39	22	18	4	3	1
Rest of NY:	20	44	21	10	4	1	*
b.    The job David Paterson is doing as governor of New York
Total NY State:	3	23	41	24	4	5	1
Long Island:	2	19	43	28	3	4	1
Rest of NY:	3	24	40	23	4	5	1
c.    The performanceof the New York State Senate
Total NY State:	2	21	40	24	3	10	1
Long Island:	2	23	39	26	3	8	*
Rest of NY:	2	21	40	23	3	10	1
d.    The performance of the New York State Assembly
Total NY State:	2	23	38	19	3	15	1
Long Island:	*	19	39	23	3	16	*
Rest of NY:	2	24	38	18	3	14	1

Q4.     What do you think is the MOST important problem facing New York State today? [PRECODED OPEN-END; ACCEPT UP TO TWO MENTIONS]

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
23	21	23	Unemployment / Jobs / Under-employment
18	18	18	State budget problems
15	16	14	Economy in general
11	9	11	State taxes
8	11	8	Property taxes
7	6	7	Ethical breakdown in State gov’t / Legal problems / Corruption in state gov’t
7	6	7	Education / Education reform
5	4	5	Health care reform / Health care in general
3	2	3	National Budget deficit / National debt / Federal taxes
1	2	1	Terrorism / National Security
1	1	1	Foreclosures / Falling real estate prices
1	1	*	Environment / Global warming
13	17	12	Other (SPECIFY)
*	0	*	Nothing/None/No problems
5	3	5	Don't know
0	0	0	Refused

Note: Total may exceed 100% due to multiple responses.

Q5.     Which political party do you think can do a better job of handling the New York State problem you just mentioned – [ROTATE: (the Republican Party) or (the Democratic Party?)] or is there no difference? [IF NECESSARY: thinking about what you see as the most important problem…]^[4]

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
14	19	13	Republican Party
23	21	23	Democratic Party
54	53	54	No difference/Neither
3	3	3	Don’t know
1	1	1	Refused
5	3	6	No 'most important' problem/DK or REF most impt. problem

On another topic…

Q6.     Now I am going to read you a series of statements that will help us understand how you feel about a number of things. For each statement, please tell me if you completely agree with it, mostly agree, mostly disagree or completely disagree.  The (first/next) statement is…

%%%%%%% 19422312121 1645241122* 20412212121 2147208n/a4-- 2537287121 2740244131 2536287121 403815412* 4634153111 393915412*

	comp. agree	mostly agree	mostly dis-agree	comp. dis-agree	(vol.) both/ other	dk	ref
a.    Voting gives people like me some say in how the state government runs things.
Total NY State:
Long Island:
Rest of NY:
NATIONAL TRENDS
Pew April 2009[5]:
b.    State public officials don’t care what people like me think.
Total NY State:
Long Island:
Rest of NY:
c.    Politicians often promise to make state government work better, but they never do.
Total NY State:
Long Island:
Rest of NY:

Q7.     About how long have you lived in New York State?  Have you lived in the state…(READ 1-5)

October 2009^[6]

%

current				national trends
Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %		sept. 2008[7] %	knight 2002[8]
*	*	*	Less than one year	11	6	7
4	1	4	One to five years	27	26	23
4	2	4	Six to 10 years	15	20	13
12	9	13	11 to 20 years	18	20	19
80	88	78	More than 20 years	29	28	38
0	0	0	Don't know	*	0	*
*	0	*	Refused	0	*	--

 

Q8.     Here’s a list of activities some people do and others do not. For each, please tell me if you have done this in the past 12 months or not.  In the past 12 months, have you... [INSERT IN ORDER]?

	yes, did this	no, did not	don’t know	refused
	%	%	%	%
a.    Attended a meeting on local, town or school affairs
Total NY State:	41	58	*	*
Long Island:	48	52	0	0
Rest of NY:	40	60	*	*
NATIONAL TRENDS
Pew Internet August 2008[9]:	24	76	*	*

Q8 continued…

Q8 continued…

Q8.     Here’s a list of activities some people do and others do not. For each, please tell me if you have done this in the past 12 months or not.  In the past 12 months, have you... [INSERT IN ORDER]?

	yes, did this	no, did not	don’t know	refused
	%	%	%	%
b.    Worked or volunteered for a political party or candidate
Total NY State:	11	89	*	0
Long Island:	12	88	0	0
Rest of NY:	10	89	*	0
NATIONAL TRENDS
Pew Internet August 2008:	8	92	*	*
c.    Participated in a walk, run or ride for a cause
Total NY State:	37	62	*	*
Long Island:	39	61	0	0
Rest of NY:	37	62	*	*
NATIONAL TRENDS
Pew Internet August 2008:	21	79	*	*
d.    Contacted a national, state or local government official about an issue that is important to you
Total NY State:	44	55	*	*
Long Island:	52	48	*	0
Rest of NY:	42	57	*	*
NATIONAL TRENDS
Pew Internet August 2008[10]:	24	75	*	*
e.    Called into a live radio or TV show to express an opinion
Total NY State:	9	90	*	*
Long Island:	9	91	0	0
Rest of NY:	10	90	*	*
NATIONAL TRENDS
Pew Internet August 2008:	8	92	*	*

Q9.     New York State government faces a $9 billion budget deficit this year. To deal with this deficit, do you think the state should <table class="ndtable1"> or should the state not do that? Next, do you think it should [INSERT NEXT ITEM], or not?

	yes, do this	no, shouldn’t do this	(vol.) other/ depends	dk	ref
	%	%	%	%	%
a.    Cut aid to education
Total NY State:	10	87	2	1	*
Long Island:	14	82	2	2	1
Rest of NY:	9	88	3	1	*
b.    Lay off state employees
Total NY State:	30	60	6	4	1
Long Island:	30	58	7	4	1
Rest of NY:	30	60	6	4	1
c.    Cut state employees’ salaries and benefits
Total NY State:	36	54	7	3	*
Long Island:	38	53	5	3	1
Rest of NY:	36	54	7	3	*
d.    Cut spending on public transit, such as buses and trains
Total NY State:	21	72	2	4	1
Long Island:	19	75	2	4	1
Rest of NY:	22	71	2	4	1
e.    Cut spending on health care
Total NY State:	15	78	3	2	1
Long Island:	16	76	4	2	1
Rest of NY:	15	79	3	2	1
f.     Raise the sales tax
Total NY State:	18	78	3	1	*
Long Island:	19	76	2	2	1
Rest of NY:	18	78	3	1	0
g.    Raise the state income tax
Total NY State:	20	75	2	3	*
Long Island:	19	78	2	2	*
Rest of NY:	21	75	2	3	*

Q10.   If New York State cuts aid to local school districts, here are some actions local governments and school districts can take to deal with the cuts. If state aid is cut, would you favor or oppose? Would you favor or oppose [INSERT NEXT ITEM]?

	Favor	oppose	(vol.) other/ depends	dk	ref
	%	%	%	%	%
a.    Increasing the number of students in each class
Total NY State:	35	59	2	3	*
Long Island:	42	53	2	2	1
Rest of NY:	34	60	2	3	*
b.    Laying off teachers and staff
Total NY State:	17	77	4	2	*
Long Island:	22	72	4	2	1
Rest of NY:	16	78	4	2	*
c.    Cutting programs and services
Total NY State:	25	64	7	3	1
Long Island:	31	62	5	1	1
Rest of NY:	24	65	7	3	*
d.    Raising property taxes
Total NY State:	19	78	1	2	*
Long Island:	11	87	*	1	*
Rest of NY:	21	76	1	2	*
e.    Cutting salaries and benefits for teachers and other staff members
Total NY State:	27	66	5	2	1
Long Island:	42	52	6	1	*
Rest of NY:	24	69	4	2	1

Q11.   Some people say they are satisfied with the way [INSERT a] is working, some say they are frustrated and others say they are angry. What about you? Would you say you are satisfied… or frustrated… or angry with the way [INSERT a] is working? What about [INSERT b]? Would you say you are satisfied, frustrated or angry with the way [INSERT b] is working?

	satis-fied	frus-trated	angry	(vol.) in-between / none	dk	ref
	%	%	%	%	%	%
a.    The Federal government
Total NY State:	17	53	23	4	2	1
Long Island:	14	49	32	3	1	1
Rest of NY:	18	54	21	5	2	1
NATIONAL TRENDS
Pew March 2010[11]:	19	56	21	n/a	5	--
b.    The New York State government
Total NY State:	12	47	36	2	2	1
Long Island:	7	52	38	1	1	1
Rest of NY:	13	46	36	2	3	1

Q12.   Which comes closer to your view of New York State government these days? [READ AND RANDOMIZE]^[12]

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
31	32	30	Many of the elected officials in Albany have good intentions, but the state government is broken
45	50	44	State government will work fine if we can just elect better people to office
7	6	7	Nothing can be done to fix state government
1	1	2	All/Combination
12	7	13	Satisfied with NY State government
*	*	0	State government is fine/No problems/Nothing needs fixing
3	2	3	Don't know
1	1	1	Refused

Q13.   Now I would like to know who you think bears the responsibility for the current problems facing the New York State government. For each person or group I mention, I would like to know if they are largely responsible for the problems, somewhat responsible or not at all responsible. What about <table class="ndtable1">? [READ FOR FIRST ITEM, THEN AS NECESSARY: (Is he/Are they) largely responsible for the problems, somewhat responsible or not at all responsible for the problems?]

	largely	some-what	not at all	(vol.) other / in-between	dk	ref
	%	%	%	%	%	%
a.    Governor David Paterson
Total NY State:	31	51	13	*	4	1
Long Island:	34	48	13	*	4	1
Rest of NY:	30	51	14	*	4	1
b.    The State Senate
Total NY State:	45	45	5	*	4	1
Long Island:	46	46	4	*	3	1
Rest of NY:	45	45	5	*	5	1
c.    The State Assembly
Total NY State:	37	50	6	*	6	1
Long Island:	38	52	4	*	5	1
Rest of NY:	36	50	7	*	6	1
d.    State employees
Total NY State:	10	41	43	1	4	1
Long Island:	10	40	46	2	2	*
Rest of NY:	10	42	42	1	4	1
e.    Big Business
Total NY State:	34	45	16	*	3	1
Long Island:	34	46	18	*	2	*
Rest of NY:	34	45	16	*	3	1
f.     Labor Unions
Total NY State:	21	45	26	1	6	1
Long Island:	23	50	22	1	4	*
Rest of NY:	21	44	27	*	7	1

Q14.   Thinking about New York State government overall, which of these statements comes closest to your views, even if none is exactly right? [READ]

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
70	72	69	State government needs major, structural reforms
26	24	26	State government needs some minor reforms
2	1	3	State government doesn’t need much change at all
2	1	2	Don't know
*	1	*	Refused

Q15.   Here are suggestions some people have made for changes in New York State. For each, please tell me if you would support such a change or whether you would oppose it. Would you support or oppose <table class="ndtable1">?

	support	oppose	(Vol.) depends	dk	ref
	%	%	%	%	%
a.    A convention to change the State’s constitution
Total NY State:	41	46	2	10	1
Long Island:	39	49	3	8	1
Rest of NY:	41	45	2	11	1
b.    A limit on how long a person could serve in the state legislature
Total NY State:	76	20	1	3	*
Long Island:	78	19	1	1	*
Rest of NY:	75	20	1	4	*
c.    Allowing New Yorkers to directly vote on and enact state laws through referendums or initiatives
Total NY State:	72	18	1	8	1
Long Island:	74	16	*	9	1
Rest of NY:	72	18	1	8	1
d.    Strict, much lower limits on campaign contributions
Total NY State:	74	19	1	5	1
Long Island:	79	16	2	3	0
Rest of NY:	72	20	1	5	1

 

Q15.   Here are suggestions some people have made for changes in New York State. For each, please tell me if you would support such a change or whether you would oppose it. Would you support or oppose ?

	support	oppose	(Vol.) depends	dk	ref
	%	%	%	%	%
e.    Creating a non-partisan commission to redraw legislative districts
Total NY State:	56	27	1	14	1
Long Island:	55	27	2	16	*
Rest of NY:	57	27	1	13	2
f.     Requiring more than a majority vote in the state legislature to raise taxes
Total NY State:	60	35	1	4	1
Long Island:	65	33	0	2	*
Rest of NY:	59	35	1	4	1

Q16.   Generally, how would you rate the ethical and moral practices of [INSERT ITEMS IN ORDER]?  [READ FOR FIRST ITEM, THEN AS NECESSARY: Would you give them an excellent, good, only fair or poor rating?]

	excel-lent	good	only fair	poor	dk	ref
	%	%	%	%	%	%
a.    Federal government officials
Total NY State:	1	18	42	36	2	1
Long Island:	1	16	41	42	1	*
Rest of NY:	1	19	42	35	2	1
NATIONAL TRENDS
Pew October 1997[13]:	2	29	47	21	1	--
b.    New York state government officials
Total NY State:	*	12	43	43	1	1
Long Island:	*	10	41	47	1	*
Rest of NY:	*	12	44	42	2	1
c.    Your local government officials
Total NY State:	3	28	43	22	4	1
Long Island:	4	29	40	25	3	*
Rest of NY:	3	28	44	21	4	1

On another topic…

Q17.   How often would you say you vote in elections in New York State...(READ 1-4)

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
51	55	51	Always
24	23	24	Nearly always
11	9	11	Part of the time
9	9	9	Seldom
3	3	3	Never vote
1	1	1	Too young to vote in the past
*	0	*	Other response
*	0	*	Don't know
*	0	*	Refused

Q18.   How much thought have you given to the elections coming up in November…for Senate, governor, Congress and state legislature – quite a lot or only a little?

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
32	37	31	Quite a lot
3	4	3	Some
57	52	58	Little
6	5	7	None
1	1	1	Don't know
*	1	*	Refused

Now thinking about the upcoming elections…

Q19.   Would you like to see ______ be re-elected in the upcoming election, or not?

	yes	no	(vol.) other	dk	ref
	%	%	%	%	%
a.    Your representative in the U.S. House
Total NY State:	37	40	1	21	1
Long Island:	38	45	0	17	1
Rest of NY:	37	39	1	21	1
NATIONAL TRENDS
Pew March 2010[14]:	43	32	1	24	--
b.    Your State Senator
Total NY State:	41	43	*	13	1
Long Island:	40	45	*	15	*
Rest of NY:	42	43	*	13	2
c.    Your State Assembly member
Total NY State:	39	40	1	19	1
Long Island:	36	46	*	18	1
Rest of NY:	40	39	1	19	1

Q20.   Regardless of how you feel about your own elected official… Would you like to see [INSERT IN ORDER] re-elected in the upcoming elections, or not?

	yes	no	don’t know	refused
	%	%	%	%
a.    Most members of the U.S. House
Total NY State:	37	52	10	1
Long Island:	35	57	8	*
Rest of NY:	37	51	11	1
NATIONAL TRENDS
Pew March 2010[15]:	27	57	15	--
b.    Most members of the New York State Senate
Total NY State:	31	57	10	1
Long Island:	29	61	11	*
Rest of NY:	32	57	10	2
c.    Most members of the New York State Assembly
Total NY State:	30	57	12	1
Long Island:	24	63	12	*
Rest of NY:	32	55	12	1

Q21a.  If the 2010 elections for New York State Senate were being held today, would you vote for... the Republican Party’s candidate or the Democratic Party’s candidate for State SENATE in your district, would you vote for some other candidate or would you not vote?

Based on Form 1

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
21	28	19	Republican candidate
33	26	35	Democratic candidate
17	16	17	Other candidate
10	8	11	Would NOT vote
16	21	15	Don't know
2	1	2	Refused
[n=753]	[n=251]	[n=502]

Q21b. If the 2010 elections for New York State Senate were being held today, would you vote for... the Republican Party’s candidate or the Democratic Party’s candidate or the Tea Party candidate for State SENATE in your district, would you vote for some other candidate or would you not vote?

Based on Form 2

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
17	20	16	Republican candidate
36	34	36	Democratic candidate
8	10	7	Tea Party candidate
11	9	11	Other candidate
11	8	11	Would NOT vote
15	16	15	Don't know
3	4	3	Refused
[n=747]	[n=241]	[n=506]

Q21a.  If the 2010 elections for New York State Senate were being held today, would you vote for... the Republican Party’s candidate or the Democratic Party’s candidate for State SENATE in your district, would you vote for some other candidate or would you not vote?

Q21b. If the 2010 elections for New York State Senate were being held today, would you vote for... the Republican Party’s candidate or the Democratic Party’s candidate or the Tea Party candidate for State SENATE in your district, would you vote for some other candidate or would you not vote?

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
19	24	18	Republican candidate
35	30	36	Democratic candidate
18	17	18	Other candidate
10	8	11	Would NOT vote
15	18	15	Don't know
2	2	2	Refused

Q22a.  If the 2010 elections for New York State ASSEMBLY were being held today, would you vote for... the Republican Party’s candidate or the Democratic Party’s candidate for State ASSEMBLY in your district, would you vote for some other candidate or would you not vote?

Based on Form 1

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
21	30	19	Republican candidate
37	22	41	Democratic candidate
17	18	17	Other candidate
10	11	9	Would NOT vote
13	18	12	Don't know
2	*	2	Refused
[n=753]	[n=251]	[n=502]

Q22b. If the 2010 elections for New York State ASSEMBLY were being held today, would you vote for... the Republican Party’s candidate or the Democratic Party’s candidate or the Tea Party candidate for State ASSEMBLY in your district, would you vote for some other candidate or would you not vote?

Based on Form 2

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
16	20	15	Republican candidate
34	30	35	Democratic candidate
7	8	6	Tea Party candidate
12	12	13	Other candidate
11	8	12	Would NOT vote
18	19	17	Don't know
2	3	2	Refused
[n=747]	[n=241]	[n=506]

Q22a.  If the 2010 elections for New York State ASSEMBLY were being held today, would you vote for... the Republican Party’s candidate or the Democratic Party’s candidate for State ASSEMBLY in your district, would you vote for some other candidate or would you not vote?

Q22b. If the 2010 elections for New York State ASSEMBLY were being held today, would you vote for... the Republican Party’s candidate or the Democratic Party’s candidate or the Tea Party candidate for State ASSEMBLY in your district, would you vote for some other candidate or would you not vote?

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
19	25	17	Republican candidate
36	26	38	Democratic candidate
18	19	18	Other candidate
10	10	11	Would NOT vote
15	19	15	Don't know
2	2	2	Refused

Q23.   Will the issue of which party controls the New York State Legislature – that is, the Republicans or the Democrats – be a factor in your vote for New York State Senate and State Assembly this year, or not?

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
49	51	48	Yes, will be a factor
43	43	43	No, will NOT be a factor
8	5	8	Don't know
1	1	1	Refused

Q24.   If a Democrat wins the New York governor’s seat and Democrats win control of both the State Assembly and State Senate in this fall’s elections, would that be good for the people like you, bad for people like you or would it not make any difference?

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
30	29	30	Good for people like you
21	28	19	Bad for people like you
40	36	41	Not make any difference
1	1	1	Other/Some good/Some bad
6	6	7	Don't know
2	1	2	Refused

Finally, just a few questions for statistical purposes only…

SEX.    Record Respondent’s sex

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
45	47	44	Male
55	53	56	Female

AGE.   What is your age?

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
19	15	20	Age 18-29
34	33	35	Age 30-49
24	28	23	Age 50-64
20	20	20	Age 65 or older
*	*	0	Don't know
3	4	3	Refused

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
24	21	25	Gen Y (18-33)
24	20	24	Gen X (34-45)
29	35	28	Baby boomers (46-64)
9	11	8	Matures (65-73)
11	9	12	After work (74+)
*	*	0	Don't know
3	4	3	Refused

EDUC. What is the last grade or class that you completed in school?
(DO NOT READ, BUT PROBE FOR CLARITY IF NEEDED)

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
2	0	2	None, or grades 1-8
10	7	11	High school incomplete (grades 9-11)
26	27	26	High school graduate (grade 12 or GED certificate)
2	1	2	Technical, trade or vocational school AFTER high school
28	31	28	Some college, no four-year degree (includes associates degree)
16	17	16	College graduate (B.S., B.A. or other four-year degree)
14	16	14	Post-graduate training or professional schooling after college
*	*	*	Don't know
1	1	1	Refused

MARITAL.      Are you currently married, living with a partner, divorced, separated, widowed, or have you never been married?

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
49	56	47	Married
8	6	9	Living with a partner
8	8	8	Divorced
3	2	3	Separated
9	8	9	Widowed
23	18	24	Never been married
*	0	*	Don't know
1	1	1	Refused

PARENT.        Are you the parent or guardian of any children under age 18 now living in your household?

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
30	27	31	Yes
69	72	68	No
0	0	0	Don't know
1	1	*	Refused

ADULTS.       Including yourself, how many adults 18 years of age or older live in your household?

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
21	17	22	1 adult in household/Respondent only
54	49	55	2 adults
24	32	22	3 or more adults
*	0	*	Don't know
1	2	1	Refused

EMP.   Are you now employed full-time, part-time, retired, or are you not employed for pay?

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
44	42	44	Employed full-time
11	11	11	Employed part-time
23	22	23	Retired
16	17	15	Not employed for pay
3	3	2	Disabled
2	2	2	Student
2	3	2	Other
*	*	*	Don't know
*	1	*	Refused

EMP02 Are you currently looking for work, or not?

Based on those who are not employed

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
52	48	53	Yes, looking for work
47	51	47	No, not looking for work
*	1	0	Don't know
0	0	0	Refused
[n=185]	[n=62]	[n=123]

PARTY.         In politics TODAY, do you consider yourself a Republican, Democrat, or Independent?

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
20	24	20	Republican
39	33	41	Democrat
34	38	33	Independent
6	6	6	No preference/Other/Don’t know/Refused

PARTY.         In politics TODAY, do you consider yourself a Republican, Democrat, or Independent?

PARTYLN.      As of today, do you lean more to the Republican Party or more to the Democratic Party?^[16]

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
31	40	30	Republican/Lean Republican
53	46	55	Democrat/Lean Democrat
15	15	16	Still Independent/No preference/Other/Refused to lean

IDEO.  In general, would you describe your political views as... [READ 1-5]

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
4	4	4	Very conservative
27	31	27	Conservative
36	36	36	Moderate
20	21	20	Liberal
8	6	8	Very liberal
3	2	3	Don't know
2	2	2	Refused

HISP.  Are you, yourself, of Hispanic or Latino origin or descent, such as Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or some other Spanish background?

RACE.  What is your race?  Are you white, black, Asian, or some other race?

Total ny %	Long Island %	rest of ny %
66	75	64	White, non-Hispanic
12	6	14	Black, non-Hispanic
13	8	14	Hispanic
6	4	6	Other, non-Hispanic
3	7	2	Undesignated

INCOME.       Last year, that is in 2009, what was your TOTAL family income from all sources, BEFORE taxes?  Just stop me when I get to the right category. [READ 1-7]

Total ny%	Long Island %	rest of ny %
13	10	14	Less than $20,000
15	7	16	20 to under $35,000
11	8	12	35 to under $50,000
15	13	16	50 to under $75,000
11	14	11	75 to under $100,000
11	15	10	100 to under $150,000
7	13	6	$150,000 or more
6	6	6	Don’t know
10	13	10	Refused

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[1] “Don’t know” and “Refused” responses were combined in all trends unless otherwise reported.

[2] Throughout this topline, “Don’t know” responses may be abbreviated as “DK.”

[3] Throughout this topline, refusals to answer may be abbreviated as “REF.”

[4] Question 5 was asked of those who specified a ‘most important problem’ in Question 4. Percentages shown here are based on Total respondents.

[5] Pew April 2009 trends are based on combined results from Values Survey A and Values Survey B, each conducted for the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, interviewing dates March 31-April 21, 2009, among 3,013 adults 18+ nationwide.  Trend item wording was “Voting gives people like me some say about how government runs things.”

[6] Trend question wording was as follows: “About how long have you lived in the neighborhood where you live now?  Have you lived there… [READ 1-5]”

[7] Trend question wording was as follows: “About how long have you lived in the neighborhood where you live now?  Have you lived there… [READ 1-5]”

[8] Knight 2002 trends are from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s Community Indicators National survey, conducted January 2-27, 2002 [N=1,211 adults 18+ nationwide].  Question wording was as follows: “About how long have you lived in your (city/suburb/town/area) where you live now?  Have you lived here... (READ)”

[9] Pew Internet August 2008 trends are based on the August 2008 Tracking Survey conducted for the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, interviewing dates August 12-31, 2008, among 2,251 adults 18+ nationwide. Trend item wording was “Attended a political meeting on local, town or school affairs.”

[10] Trend item wording was “Contacted a national, state or local government official in person, by phone or by letter about an issue that is important to you.”

[11] Pew March 2010 trends are based on the March 2010 Trust in Government Survey, conducted for the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, interviewing dates March 11-21, 2010, among 2,505 adults 18+ nationwide.  Question was a standalone question with the following wording: “Some people say they are basically content with the federal government, others say they are frustrated, and others say they are angry.  Which of these best describes how you feel?”  Trend results shown here for “Satisfied” reflect “Basically content” responses.

[12] Question was originally asked of those who are not satisfied with the NY State government. Results shown here are based on Total respondents.

[13] Pew October 1997 trends are based on the Trust in Government Survey, conducted for the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, interviewing dates Sept. 25-Oct. 31, 1997, among 1,762 adults 18+ nationwide.

[14] Trend was a standalone question with the following wording: “Would you like to see your representative in Congress be re-elected in the next congressional election, or not?”  Results are based on registered voters nationwide [N=2,070].

[15] Trend was a standalone question with the following wording: “Regardless of how you feel about your own representative, would you like to see most members of Congress re-elected in the next congressional election, or not?”  Results are based on registered voters nationwide [N=2,070].

[16] Question was asked of those who responded Independent, No preference, Other party, Don’t know or Refused to the PARTY question. Results shown here are combined with PARTY responses and are based on Total respondents.