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Siena Poll: Good news for state lawmakers, compared to November

Governor's Office
Gov. Andrew Cuomo giving his 2018 State of the State Address.

As Gov. Andrew Cuomo prepares to present his 2019 State of the State Address Tuesday, Siena College is out with good news from eligible voters.

As the new year begins, the Siena College Poll out Monday morning says Cuomo is viewed favorably by about half of all state registered voters. That is up a bit from November.

“As he begins his third term, Andrew Cuomo moves back into positive territory, with a small majority of voters, 51 percent, viewing him favorably, although it’s a far cry from the 70 percent favorability rating he had beginning his first term and even the 60 percent favorability rating he had beginning his second term,” said Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg.

“Clearly, the Governor’s efforts to highlight his opposition to the President and push what he calls ‘the most
progressive agenda’ in state history is resonating with New Yorkers since more now call him a liberal and fewer call him a moderate or conservative than ever before,” Greenberg said. “While his job performance rating is up from the middle of last year, it still remains under water, with 43 percent saying he’s doing a good or excellent job as governor, compared to 56 percent rating his job performance as only fair or poor.”

There also is good news for the State Assembly and Senate, but the Assembly's 48-32 percent favorability rating is its best ever and up from negative 40-43 percent in June. The State Senate's 49-38 percent favorability rating is just shy of its best ever rating and is up from negative 41-45 percent in June.

Credit Siena College

On specific issues, the Siena Poll found New Yorkers disapprove of the recent decision to raise the salary of state lawmakers, while infrastructure replaces taxes as the top issue voters want the governor to focus on this year, followed by health care and education, then taxes.

“Making the property tax cap permanent, enacting protections for transgendered New Yorkers, banning corporate political contributions and codifying Roe v. Wade in New York law are each supported by more than 60 percent of New Yorker,” said Siena Pollster Steven Greenberg.

Other supported proposals advanced by Cuomo include legalizing the recreational use of marijuana, passing the Child Victims Act and passing the Dream Act, just not as strongly as other proposals.

Credit Siena College