Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D.

Director,
Quinnipiac University Poll (203)
FOR RELEASE: JULY 22, 2009

CONNECTICUT GOV. RELL’S HIGH APPROVAL IS LOWEST EVER,

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY POLL FINDS;
VOTERS SLAM LEGISLATURE IN BUDGET STALEMATE
Plagued by a sagging economy and a state budget stalemate, Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell’s approval
rating has dropped to 65 – 30 percent, her lowest overall score ever but still much higher than
governors in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and Ohio with similar problems, according
to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Connecticut voters disapprove 45 – 39 percent of the way the State Legislature is doing its
job, down from a 45 – 38 percent approval in a May 9 poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-
uh-pe-ack) University. Voters approve 50 – 42 percent of the way Gov. Rell is handling the state
budget and disapprove 56 – 29 percent of the way Democrats in the State Legislature are handling
the budget.
A total of 88 percent of Connecticut voters say the failure to adopt a state budget by the
July 1 deadline is a “very serious” or “somewhat serious” problem. Democrats in the legislature
are mostly to blame, 29 percent say, while 16 percent blame Rell; 14 percent blame Republicans
and 26 percent blame everyone equally.
“Gov. Jodi Rell’s honeymoon with Connecticut voters just won’t end, despite a recession
and a budget stalemate,” said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, PhD.
“She has defied political gravity for five years by almost always topping 70 percent in job
approval, and enjoying high marks not only among Republicans and Independents but Democrats
as well. The love affair with Democrats is wearing thin, but she’s still in very good shape.
“While the economy and budget battle are taking a small toll on Gov. Rell’s popularity,
she is doing much better than governors in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, all with
negative approval scores in recent Quinnipiac University polls.”
-more-
 
Quinnipiac University Poll/July 22, 2009 – page 2
“If Rell is down a step or two, the Democrats are tumbling down the stairs,” Dr. Schwartz
added. “Approval of the Democratically controlled State Legislature is below 40 percent and
more blame the Democrats than Rell for the late budget.”
By a 60 – 30 percent margin, Connecticut voters would rather cut services than raise taxes
to balance the state budget.
But voters support 71 – 27 percent raising the state income tax for individuals making at
least $265,000 per year and couples making at least $500,000. The measure wins 90 – 9 percent
support from Democrats and 71 – 26 percent support from independent voters, while Republicans
oppose it 57 – 40 percent.
Voters reject 55 – 42 percent that argument that raising taxes will force wealthier residents
to move out of Connecticut.
Voters also support 51 – 45 percent raising taxes on corporations and 72 – 26 percent
raising the cigarette tax an additional 75 cents a pack. Even Republicans support the cigarette tax
64 – 34 percent.
Governor Rell’s Prospects
A total of 58 percent of Connecticut voters, including 40 percent of Democrats, say they
“definitely” or “probably” will vote for Rell for reelection in 2010.
Rell has done an “excellent” job as Governor, 12 percent say, while 45 percent say she has
done a “good” job; 33 percent say “fair” job and 9 percent say she has done a “poor” job.
Connecticut voters like Jodi Rell: 54 percent like her as a person and like most of her
policies, while 30 percent like her as a person even as they don’t like most of her policies.
Looking at Rell’s qualities, voters say:
• 84 – 11 percent that she is honest and trustworthy;
• 76 – 21 percent that she has strong leadership qualities;
• 53 – 37 percent that she shares their views on issues about which they care.
“With scores like these, Jodi Rell is a formidable candidate if she decides to run for a
second full term in 2010,” Schwartz said.
From July 16 – 20, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,499 Connecticut registered voters
with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey,
Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and the nation as a public service and for research.
For more data and RSS feed – http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call
(203) 582-5201.

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13. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling her job as
Governor?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Approve 65% 81% 49% 70% 67% 62%

Disapprove 30 14 45 25 31 30
DK/NA 5 5 6 5 2 8

MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon

Approve 78% 56% 68% 63% 59%

Disapprove 20 37 27 31 35
DK/NA 2 7 6 7 6

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling her job as
Governor? (*low also 65% 7/1/08)

APPROVE.......
High Low
Jul 22 May 27 Apr 02 Mar 10 Feb 10 Jan 13 Jul 22
2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2005 2009

Approve 65 73 72 75 75 83 65
Disapprove 30 20 22 19 19 3 30
DK/NA 5 7 6 6 6 14 5

14. Would you say that Jodi Rell has done an excellent, good, fair, or poor job as
Governor?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Excellent 12% 23% 5% 12% 12% 12%

Good 45 51 39 48 46 45
Fair 33 20 41 32 32 33
Poor 9 3 14 8 10 9
DK/NA 1 2 1 - 1 1

15. Regardless of your overall opinion of Jodi Rell, what do you think is the best
thing she has done as Governor?

JRappQ13
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve

Handling of budget/
Budget cuts/ Taxes 23% 39% 14% 22% 30% 17% 31%
Overall good decision
maker/Fair/Open minded 4 3 3 4 4 4 5
Honest/Restored trust/
Turned state around
after Rowland mess 11 9 10 13 13 10 13
Education 3 1 5 2 1 4 3
Support of Death Penalty 1 2 1 1 1 1 1
Money for mass transit/
Highways 1 1 2 1 - 2 1
Other 14 8 15 14 14 13 11
Nothing 4 1 6 2 3 4 -
Don't know/Can't say/

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 Not sure 40 35 44 40 33 46 35

16. Regardless of your overall opinion of Jodi Rell, what do you think is the worst
thing she has done as Governor?

JRappQ13
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom DisApp

Handling of budget/
Budget cuts/Taxes 23% 19% 26% 24% 22% 24% 34%
Handling of Health care 5 3 6 5 5 5 7
Handling of Education 3 2 3 2 2 3 5
State workers/Furloughs 3 2 3 2 3 2 4
Support of Gay marriage/
Civil unions 2 4 2 1 2 2 3
Handling of
Transportation issues 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Support of Death penalty 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Other specify 15 10 19 15 18 13 28
Nothing 5 6 3 5 5 5 -
Don't know/Can't say/
Not sure 43 51 37 44 40 45 17

17. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its
job?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Approve 39% 25% 54% 36% 37% 41%

Disapprove 45 61 31 47 51 40
DK/NA 16 14 15 17 12 19

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its
job?

Jul 22 May 9 Feb 15 Jun 3 Nov 21 Oct 9 Jul 31

2009 2007 2007 2004 2003 2003 2003

Approve 39 45 47 48 38 35 29
Disapprove 45 38 34 33 45 49 57
DK/NA 16 17 18 19 18 16 14

20. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Richard Blumenthal is handling his job as
State Attorney General?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Approve 79% 70% 87% 79% 78% 80%

Disapprove 13 22 7 12 16 10
DK/NA 8 8 6 9 6 10

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Richard Blumenthal is handling his job
as State Attorney General?

APPROVE.......
High Low
Jul 22 May 27 Mar 10 Feb 10 Jul 27 Mar 10 Nov 23
2009 2009 2009 2009 2005 2009 2004

Approve 79 78 81 79 73 81 71
Disapprove 13 9 10 12 14 10 15

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DK/NA 8 13 9 9 13 9 13
23. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Connecticut
today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very
dissatisfied?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Very satisfied 3% 3% 4% 1% 2% 3%
Smwht satisfied 45 42 52 42 43 47
Smwht dissatisfied 35 33 32 38 36 34
Very dissatisfied 17 22 12 18 19 15
DK/NA 1 1 - 1 1 1

TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Connecticut
today? Very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very
dissatisfied?

VERY+SMWHT SAT
High Low
Jul 22 May 27 Mar 10 Feb 10 Dec 17 Oct 21 Mar 13
2009 2009 2009 2009 2008 1998 2003

Very Satisfied 3 3 3 4 2 21 4
Smwht Satisfied 45 53 39 37 41 62 32
Smwht Dissatisfied 35 29 36 38 35 14 34
Very Dissatisfied 17 13 21 21 20 3 29
DK/NA 1 2 1 1 1 - 1

24. How likely are you to vote to re-elect Jodi Rell for Governor in 2010 - do you
think you will definitely vote for her, probably vote for her, probably not vote for
her, or definitely not vote for her?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Definitely 15% 34% 5% 13% 14% 15%

Probably 43 47 35 48 43 43
Probably not 19 8 28 16 18 19
Definitely not 16 5 23 14 17 14
DK/NA 8 5 8 9 7 9

TREND: How likely are you to vote to re-elect Jodi Rell for Governor in 2010 - do you
think you will definitely vote for her, probably vote for her, probably not vote for
her, or definitely not vote for her?

Jul 22 Dec 17 Jul 1

2009 2008 2008

Definitely 15 14 13
Probably 43 40 40
Probably not 19 18 20
Definitely not 16 13 13
DK/NA 8 14 13

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25. Which one of the following statements comes closest to the way you feel about
Jodi Rell - A) I like Jodi Rell as a person and I also like most of her policies, B)
I like Jodi Rell as a person but I don't like most of her policies, C) I don't like
Jodi Rell as a person but I do like most of her policies OR D) I don't like Jodi Rell
as a person and I also don't like most of her policies?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

A) Like person and policies 54% 72% 40% 57% 54% 54%
B) Like person not policies 30 16 41 28 30 29
C) Like policies not person 2 2 2 3 3 1
D) Not policies not person 8 3 12 6 8 7
DK/NA 6 7 6 7 5 8

TREND: Which one of the following statements comes closest to the way you feel
about Jodi Rell - A) I like Jodi Rell as a person and I also like most of her
policies, B) I like Jodi Rell as a person but I don't like most of her policies,
C) I don't like Jodi Rell as a person but I DO like most of her policies, D) I
don't like Jodi Rell as a person and I also don't like most of her policies.

Jul 22 Jul 1 May 9

2009 2008 2007

A) Like person and policies 54 53 62

B) Like person not policies 30 28 23
C) Like policies not person 2 2 2
D) Not policies not person 8 7 5
DK/NA 6 10 8

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26. What do you think is the most important problem facing Connecticut today?

Tot

Economy Total 45%

Economy general 10
Unemployment/Jobs 30
Cost of living 2
Business leaving/
Outsourcing 2
Economy other 1

Budget Total 21%

Budget general 8
Budget cuts/Cuts in
services 2
Budget deficits 6
Gov too big/Gov spending 2
Lack of/Late budget 1
Budget priorities 2

Taxes Total 12%

Taxes general 8
Property tax 2
Income Tax 1
Taxes other 1

Healthcare costs/Ins/HMO's 5%

Education Total 3%
Education general 1
Funding education 1
Education other 1

Crime/Violence general 1
Housing General 1
Transportation general 1
Politicians General 1

Other 3
DK/NA 4

TREND: What do you think is the most important problem facing Connecticut today?
(additional trend points available on request)

Jul 22 Dec 17 May 9 Jun 8 May 2 Feb 16

2009 2008 2007 2006 2006 2006

Budget/Spending Total 21% 6% 1 2% 1% 2%

Crime Total 1 1 1 8 3 4
Economy Total 45 59 22 19 22 27
Education Total 3 5 8 9 7 10
Energy costs Total - 1 5 7 15 1
Healthcare Total 5 3 8 3 3 4
Housing Total 1 - - - - -
Immigration - 1 2 2 2 -
Politicians/Campaigns Tot 1 2 1 1 2 3
Taxes Total 12 14 29 21 20 22
Transportation/DMV Total 1 2 4 6 8 7
Other 3 2 2 4 4 4
DK/NA 4 3 6 7 5 7

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27. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling taxes?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Approve 47% 62% 33% 51% 50% 44%

Disapprove 43 29 55 39 43 43
DK/NA 10 9 11 11 7 13

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling - taxes?

Jul 22 Apr 6
2009 2005

Approve 47 40
Disapprove 43 37
DK/NA 10 23

28. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling the job situation
in Connecticut?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Approve 42% 59% 35% 41% 44% 41%

Disapprove 43 26 52 43 43 42
DK/NA 15 15 13 16 13 17

29. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling the state budget?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Approve 50% 67% 35% 55% 53% 48%

Disapprove 42 26 56 37 40 43
DK/NA 8 7 9 8 7 9

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling - the state
budget? (*Governor Rell)

Jul 22 Feb 10 Apr 6 Feb 18

2009 2009 2005 2005*

Approve 50 66 54 51
Disapprove 42 22 20 29
DK/NA 8 13 26 20

30. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Democrats in the state legislature
are handling the state budget?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Approve 29% 9% 49% 24% 27% 31%

Disapprove 56 84 34 61 62 52
DK/NA 14 6 17 15 11 17

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31. Would you say that Jodi Rell is honest and trustworthy or not?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Yes 84% 91% 80% 86% 85% 82%

No 11 6 13 11 13 10
DK/NA 5 4 6 4 2 7

TREND: Would you say that Jodi Rell is honest and trustworthy or not?

Jul 22 Jan 12 Jul 27 Jan 13

2009 2006 2005 2005

Yes 84 83 87 82
No 11 7 5 3
DK/NA 5 11 8 14

32. Would you say that Jodi Rell has strong leadership qualities or not?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Yes 76% 82% 69% 80% 74% 79%

No 21 15 27 17 24 18
DK/NA 3 3 4 3 3 4

TREND: Would you say that Jodi Rell has strong leadership qualities or not?

Jul 22 Jul 27 Jan 13

2009 2005 2005

Yes 76 82 79
No 21 11 7
DK/NA 3 7 14

33. Would you say that Jodi Rell shares your views on issues that you care about or
not?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Yes 53% 73% 39% 55% 54% 52%

No 37 20 54 31 36 37
DK/NA 10 7 8 14 10 10

TREND: Would you say that Jodi Rell shares your views on issues that you care about
or not?
Jul 22 Jul 27 Jan 13
2009 2005 2005

Yes 53 64 60
No 37 21 15
DK/NA 10 15 25

45. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling the economy?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Approve 54% 67% 43% 56% 56% 53%

Disapprove 35 24 45 32 34 35
DK/NA 11 9 12 12 11 12

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TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling the economy?

Jul 22 Mar 10 Feb 10

2009 2009 2009

Approve 54 68 67
Disapprove 35 24 23
DK/NA 11 8 10

46. Do you think Governor Rell's policies have helped Connecticut's economy, hurt
Connecticut's economy, or haven't made a difference?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Helped 28% 37% 20% 29% 29% 27%

Hurt 18 13 25 15 18 19
No difference 46 44 48 47 45 47
DK/NA 7 6 7 8 7 7

47. Looking forward, do you think Governor Rell's policies will help Connecticut's
economy, will hurt Connecticut's economy, or won't make a difference?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Will Help 40% 57% 30% 42% 42% 39%

Will Hurt 19 14 28 15 19 20
No difference 33 23 33 35 32 33
DK/NA 8 6 9 7 7 8

48. Do you think Governor Rell's policies have helped your personal financial
situation, hurt your personal financial situation, or haven't made a difference?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Helped 7% 12% 3% 8% 8% 6%
Hurt 18 13 22 16 19 17
No difference 73 73 73 73 70 75
DK/NA 2 2 2 3 3 2

49. Looking forward, do you think Governor Rell's policies will help your personal
financial situation, will hurt your personal financial situation, or won't make a
difference?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Will Help 20% 30% 16% 20% 23% 18%

Will Hurt 21 12 25 20 19 22
No difference 52 51 53 52 52 53
DK/NA 7 6 6 8 6 7

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64. Connecticut has not had a budget since July first, the start of the fiscal year.
Do you think that the state's failure to pass a budget is a very serious problem, a
somewhat serious problem, a not too serious problem or not a problem at all?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Very serious 52% 53% 50% 54% 52% 52%

Smwht serious 36 33 39 35 32 39
Not too serious 8 11 9 7 11 6
Not a problem at all 2 2 1 1 4 1
DK/NA 2 2 1 2 2 1

TREND: Connecticut has not had a budget since July first, the start of the fiscal
year. Do you think that the state's failure to pass a budget is a very serious
problem, a somewhat serious problem, a not too serious problem, or not a problem at
all?

Jul 22 Jul 31
2009 2003

Very serious 52 58
Smwht serious 36 34
Not very serious 8 5
Not serious at all 2 2
DK/NA 2 2

65. Who do you think is most to blame for the state's failure to pass a budget –
Governor Rell, the Republicans in the state legislature, or the Democrats in the
state legislature?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Governor Rell 16% 4% 25% 14% 16% 17%

Republicans in leg 14 1 31 8 11 17
Democrats in leg 29 68 9 28 36 23
BLAME ALL(VOL) 26 21 18 34 26 27
DK/NA 14 7 16 15 10 17

66. To balance the state budget, if you had to choose, would you prefer - raising
taxes or cutting government programs and services?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Raising taxes 30% 8% 51% 26% 25% 35%

Cutting services 60 82 41 64 68 54
DK/NA 10 10 9 10 7 12

TREND: To balance the state budget, if you had to choose, would you prefer raising
taxes or cutting government programs and services?

Jul 22 Feb 10 Mar 13

2009 2009 2003

Raising taxes 30 23 38
Cutting services 60 67 46
DK/NA 10 10 16

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67. To help balance the state budget, would you support or oppose raising the income
tax for individuals earning more than $265,000 annually and for couples earning more
than $500,000 annually?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Support 71% 40% 90% 71% 65% 75%

Oppose 27 57 9 26 33 22
DK/NA 2 3 1 3 2 3

68. To help balance the state budget, would you support or oppose raising taxes on
corporations?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Support 51% 26% 70% 50% 43% 58%

Oppose 45 70 26 46 55 36
DK/NA 4 4 5 4 2 6

69. To help balance the state budget, would you support or oppose raising taxes on
cigarettes an additional 75 cents a pack?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Support 72% 64% 84% 68% 65% 78%

Oppose 26 34 15 29 33 20
DK/NA 2 3 1 3 2 2

70. Do you think an increase in taxes is necessary to balance the budget or not?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Yes 48% 31% 65% 44% 47% 48%

No 45 64 28 49 48 43
DK/NA 7 5 7 7 5 8

TREND: Do you think an increase in taxes is necessary to balance the budget or not?

Jul 22 Mar 10
2009 2009

Yes 48 32
No 45 63
DK/NA 7 5

71. Some people say that raising the state income tax rate on wealthier residents
will lead them to move out of Connecticut. Do you agree or disagree?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Agree 42% 67% 21% 45% 45% 39%

Disagree 55 31 73 52 52 57
DK/NA 4 3 6 3 3 4

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