A new statewide poll shows greater concern among New York voters about political corruption in Albany. According to a Siena Research Institute survey released Monday, 91 percent of registered voters say corruption in the state legislature is a serious problem. Forty-one percent call the problem 'very serious.'
Two state lawmakers, Senator Malcolm Smith and Assemblyman Eric Stevenson, have been arrested on corruption charges in recent weeks. Siena pollster Steve Greenberg says most New Yorkers believe there will be more legislative arrests.
"Events of the last few weeks have certainly had an impact on voters," Greenberg says, speaking with WBFO Albany correspondent Karen Dewitt.
"We asked voters, how likely do you think it is that there are going to be more arrests of state legislators. Eighty-one percent say it's likely. Twenty-nine percent say it's very likely and 52 percent say it's somewhat likely."
More than 30 percent of those surveyed say they wouldn't been surprised if their own senator or assemblyman was caught in a corruption scandal.
The State Assembly, as a whole, has just a 39 percent favorable rating. The Senate is down to 40 percent. More than half of the poll's respondents describe themselves as 'distrustful' and 'cynical' of New York politics.
