April 2, 2019 - Congestion Pricing Won't Work, New Yorkers Say, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Say Scrap Elite School Test, Increase Diversity

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New York City voters oppose congestion pricing 54 - 41 percent and say 52 - 40 percent that it will not be effective in reducing traffic, according to a Quinnipiac University Poll released today.





Manhattan voters are divided as 48 percent support congestion pricing, with 51 percent opposed, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University Poll finds. Opposition in the other boroughs ranges from 52 - 43 percent in Staten Island to 64 - 30 percent in The Bronx.





White voters are divided, with 47 percent supporting congestion pricing and 49 percent opposed. Opposition is 63 - 33 percent among black voters and 58 - 39 percent among Hispanic voters.





Congestion pricing will reduce traffic, 52 percent of Staten Island voters say, as 44 percent say it won't be effective. Voters in other boroughs say it won't work, ranging from 50 - 43 percent "no" in Manhattan to 62 - 34 percent "no" in The Bronx.





A total of 90 percent of New York City voters say traffic congestion is a "very serious" or "somewhat serious" problem. Of that 90 percent, 36 percent say Mayor Bill de Blasio is more to blame, as 16 percent say Gov. Andrew Cuomo is more to blame. Another 19 percent blame neither and 13 percent blame both leaders.





New York City subway service is "not so good" or "poor," 62 percent of voters say, as 36 percent say it's "excellent" or "good." Bus quality in the city is "excellent" or "good," 48 percent of voters say, while 46 percent say it's "not so good" or "poor."





"New Yorkers give a Bronx cheer to congestion pricing. Lawmakers in Albany approved the plan, but city voters aren't in favor even if it means revenue raised will help fix mass transit. And there's a clear need for improvement. Six in ten New Yorkers rate subway service as 'not so good' or 'poor,'" said Mary Snow, polling analyst for the Quinnipiac University Poll.





New York City voters oppose 48 - 41 percent having the mayor and City Council take responsibility for city subways and buses.





Elite High School Admissions





With support from white, black and Hispanic voters, 57 percent of all New York City voters say other factors should be considered in deciding admission to elite public high schools, while 36 percent say keep the present system which relies on a single test to decide admission.





Support for the "other factors" option is 50 - 43 percent among white voters, 63 - 29 percent among black voters and 73 - 23 percent among Hispanic voters. Asian voters are divided as 46 percent say keep the single test and 48 percent say consider other factors.





In a separate question, New York City voters support 63 - 28 percent "changing the admissions process to New York City's elite high schools if it meant increased diversity at those schools." Support is 51 - 37 percent among white voters, 75 - 16 percent among black voters, 77 - 17 percent among Hispanic voters and 53 - 39 percent among Asian voters.





"The admissions process to New York City's top high schools has become a lightning rod. And New Yorkers say rethink it. They favor considering other factors besides acing a standardized test as the only door to entry," Snow said.





"New Yorkers are split over the quality of public schools in their neighborhoods. The Bronx is the least satisfied with its schools. Staten Island has the highest level of satisfaction," Snow said.





Amazon





New York City voters approve 61 - 32 percent of Gov. Cuomo and other leaders trying to convince Amazon to "revive its plan" to build a headquarters in Queens. Approval is strong in all boroughs, ranging from 58 - 34 percent in Queens to 79 - 18 percent in Staten Island.





Voters support 54 - 42 percent offering tax breaks to encourage corporations and businesses to locate in New York City.





From March 27 - April 1, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,077 New York City voters with a margin of error of +/- 3.8 percentage points, including the design effect.





The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts gold standard surveys using random digit dialing with live interviewers calling landlines and cell phones. The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts nationwide surveys and polls in more than a dozen states on national and statewide elections, as well as public policy issues.





Visit poll.qu.edu or www.facebook.com/quinnipiacpoll





Call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter @QuinnipiacPoll.





13. Are you generally satisfied with the quality of the public schools in New York City, or are you not satisfied?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Satisfied 26% 28% 29% 24% 28% 24% 24% 25% 32% 30% Not satisfied 58 55 56 62 60 57 55 64 53 57 DK/NA 16 16 15 14 12 19 21 11 15 13 AREA............................. AGE IN YRS.............. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Satisfied 21% 29% 19% 30% 29% 21% 35% 25% 21% Not satisfied 65 56 58 57 56 66 54 60 56 DK/NA 13 15 22 13 14 14 11 15 23 HAVE KIDS <18 YRS InPublic Yes School Satisfied 33% 42% Not satisfied 59 54 DK/NA 9 5

14. Are you generally satisfied with the quality of public schools in your neighborhood, or are you not satisfied?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Satisfied 42% 48% 44% 40% 46% 39% 47% 34% 43% 45% Not satisfied 42 35 40 46 41 43 30 53 45 45 DK/NA 16 17 16 14 13 19 22 13 12 11 AREA............................. AGE IN YRS.............. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Satisfied 29% 43% 39% 47% 67% 33% 47% 42% 48% Not satisfied 54 46 33 41 25 55 42 43 27 DK/NA 17 12 29 12 8 12 11 16 25 HAVE KIDS <18 YRS InPublic Yes School Satisfied 42% 50% Not satisfied 47 45 DK/NA 11 5

15. As you may know, admission to New York City's elite high schools, such as Stuyvesant and Bronx High School of Science, is determined by a student's performance on a single standardized test. Do you think New York City should keep that single-test procedure, or should it consider other factors?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Keep single test 36% 58% 28% 40% 39% 34% 43% 29% 23% 46% Consider other fctrs 57 37 65 52 56 59 50 63 73 48 DK/NA 6 5 6 8 5 8 7 9 5 6 AREA............................. AGE IN YRS.............. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Keep single test 30% 36% 33% 41% 42% 26% 35% 38% 45% Consider other fctrs 62 55 60 55 54 68 59 57 48 DK/NA 8 9 6 4 3 6 6 5 7 HAVE KIDS <18 YRS InPublic Yes School Keep single test 31% 30% Consider other fctrs 65 68 DK/NA 4 2

16. As you may know, only 10.5% of admission offers to New York City's elite high schools went to black and Latino students, despite black and Latino students making up nearly two thirds of New York City's public schools. Some have suggested that this is the result of admissions being determined by a single standardized test. Would you support or oppose changing the admissions process to New York City's elite high schools if it meant increased diversity at those schools?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Support 63% 35% 75% 52% 60% 66% 51% 75% 77% 53% Oppose 28 50 18 37 34 22 37 16 17 39 DK/NA 10 16 7 12 7 12 12 9 5 8 AREA............................. AGE IN YRS.............. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Support 72% 59% 67% 59% 61% 71% 72% 57% 57% Oppose 21 27 24 34 34 20 23 33 33 DK/NA 7 14 9 7 5 9 6 10 10 HAVE KIDS <18 YRS InPublic Yes School Support 64% 72% Oppose 27 24 DK/NA 10 4

17. As you may know, a New York State agency, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, is responsible for all mass transit in New York City and the suburbs. Decisions about New York City subways and buses are made by state legislators and funding is provided mainly through the state budget. Do you support or oppose having the New York City Mayor and City Council take responsibility for city subways and buses, even if that means some state funding could be lost?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Support 41% 27% 45% 40% 45% 37% 42% 44% 33% 46% Oppose 48 58 43 50 45 50 46 50 53 39 DK/NA 11 14 11 9 10 13 13 6 14 15 AREA............................. AGE IN YRS.............. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Support 39% 41% 42% 40% 35% 51% 48% 33% 36% Oppose 48 49 45 49 50 38 43 58 51 DK/NA 13 10 12 11 15 10 9 10 13

18. How would you rate the quality of subway service in New York City; excellent, good, not so good, or poor?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Excellent 3% 9% 2% 2% 3% 3% 4% 3% 3% - Good 33 27 35 33 36 30 39 31 28 30 Not so good 31 32 32 28 30 32 32 30 35 28 Poor 31 29 29 35 29 33 22 35 33 42 DK/NA 2 2 2 2 1 3 3 1 1 - AREA............................. AGE IN YRS.............. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Excellent 3% 4% 3% 1% 4% 3% 3% 2% 2% Good 20 36 31 38 37 22 36 34 38 Not so good 28 30 39 27 31 32 29 34 32 Poor 46 30 24 33 22 44 31 28 21 DK/NA 2 1 3 2 6 - - 1 7

18a. (If not so good or poor q18) Who is more to blame for the condition of New York City subways: Governor Cuomo or Mayor de Blasio?

SUBWAY SERVICE NOT SO GOOD OR POOR Q18............................ Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Governor Cuomo 37% 20% 42% 39% 37% 37% 39% 28% 40% 50% Mayor de Blasio 22 40 19 18 25 19 21 20 27 17 NEITHER(VOL) 8 15 7 6 11 5 7 10 10 4 BOTH(VOL) 22 16 20 29 19 24 20 32 13 19 DK/NA 11 8 13 8 7 15 13 9 10 9 AREA............................. AGE IN YRS.............. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Governor Cuomo 34% 34% 42% 40% * 50% 41% 25% 34% Mayor de Blasio 26 17 19 25 14 18 30 21 NEITHER(VOL) 8 10 8 6 8 7 10 7 BOTH(VOL) 25 22 20 21 12 23 27 28 DK/NA 7 17 10 8 16 12 8 10

19. How would you rate the quality of New York City buses; excellent, good, not so good, or poor?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Excellent 4% 7% 4% 4% 5% 4% 4% 6% 6% 2% Good 44 54 41 44 46 42 53 36 38 41 Not so good 30 22 31 32 30 30 24 35 34 28 Poor 16 12 19 14 14 19 10 20 20 24 DK/NA 5 5 5 6 5 5 9 2 2 5 AREA............................. AGE IN YRS.............. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Excellent 4% 6% 3% 3% 4% 2% 7% 5% 3% Good 33 45 51 42 50 36 43 44 50 Not so good 35 29 30 29 28 29 30 32 32 Poor 25 17 9 18 13 29 14 14 9 DK/NA 3 3 7 8 6 4 6 6 6

19a. (If not so good or poor q19) Who is more to blame for the condition of New York City buses: Governor Cuomo or Mayor de Blasio?

BUSES NOT SO GOOD OR POOR Q19..................................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Governor Cuomo 30% * 32% 33% 33% 28% 35% 28% 21% * Mayor de Blasio 31 29 27 35 27 26 28 44 NEITHER(VOL) 7 8 6 9 5 3 8 11 BOTH(VOL) 20 18 26 16 24 17 27 17 DK/NA 12 14 9 7 16 18 10 8 AREA............................. AGE IN YRS.............. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Governor Cuomo 28% 27% 29% 36% * 43% 28% 23% 25% Mayor de Blasio 28 29 29 33 28 24 37 26 NEITHER(VOL) 9 5 10 6 6 4 8 11 BOTH(VOL) 28 19 17 18 10 30 23 24 DK/NA 7 20 15 7 13 14 8 14

20. How much of a problem do you think traffic congestion is in New York City; a very serious problem, somewhat serious, not very serious, or not a problem at all?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Very serious 55% 53% 59% 50% 52% 57% 54% 56% 63% 45% Smwht serious 35 31 34 37 35 35 34 36 26 48 Not very serious 7 11 5 11 10 5 7 7 9 7 Not at all 2 2 2 2 1 3 3 1 2 1 DK/NA 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 - AREA............................. AGE IN YRS.............. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Very serious 58% 52% 54% 54% 62% 51% 53% 59% 60% Smwht serious 35 38 34 32 33 39 39 31 31 Not very serious 6 6 8 10 4 6 7 7 6 Not at all - 3 3 2 2 3 - 2 2 DK/NA 2 - 1 1 - 1 1 1 2

20a. (If very or somewhat serious q20) Who is more to blame for the traffic congestion in New York City: Governor Cuomo or Mayor de Blasio?

TRAFFIC CONGESTION VERY OR SOMEWHAT SERIOUS PROBLEM Q20........... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Governor Cuomo 16% 10% 16% 18% 20% 12% 13% 17% 16% 24% Mayor de Blasio 36 49 35 33 37 36 40 30 40 32 NEITHER(VOL) 19 20 19 17 18 20 19 21 23 10 BOTH(VOL) 13 9 12 18 10 15 11 17 13 11 DK/NA 16 13 18 15 14 18 17 15 8 24 AREA............................. AGE IN YRS.............. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Governor Cuomo 20% 16% 10% 17% 14% 25% 15% 13% 12% Mayor de Blasio 34 37 33 37 50 38 37 34 36 NEITHER(VOL) 18 18 25 17 13 12 17 22 22 BOTH(VOL) 14 13 14 13 10 6 12 22 14 DK/NA 14 17 17 17 12 19 18 10 16

21. As you may know, there is a plan called "congestion pricing" that would charge motorists an additional toll to drive into downtown and midtown Manhattan, while reducing tolls on bridges that don't connect to Manhattan. The extra money would be used to fund mass transit. Would you support or oppose congestion pricing?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Support 41% 22% 46% 43% 43% 40% 47% 33% 39% 48% Oppose 54 74 48 53 53 55 49 63 58 42 DK/NA 5 4 5 4 5 5 4 4 3 10 AREA............................. AGE IN YRS.............. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Support 30% 42% 48% 40% 43% 40% 46% 38% 40% Oppose 64 52 51 54 52 53 51 57 56 DK/NA 6 6 1 6 5 7 2 4 4

22. Do you think congestion pricing will be effective in reducing traffic, or don't you think so?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Yes/Effective 40% 33% 44% 39% 44% 36% 45% 32% 34% 48% No 52 61 48 53 50 55 48 59 57 43 DK/NA 8 6 8 9 6 9 7 9 9 9 AREA............................. AGE IN YRS.............. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Yes/Effective 34% 39% 43% 38% 52% 35% 42% 40% 41% No 62 52 50 51 44 59 50 52 49 DK/NA 4 9 7 10 5 6 8 8 9

23. As you may know, Amazon cancelled its plans to build one of its new headquarters in New York's Long Island City. Do you approve or disapprove of Governor Cuomo and other prominent New Yorkers trying to convince Amazon to revive its plan to build one of its new headquarters in Long Island City?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Approve 61% 71% 59% 60% 61% 61% 63% 67% 59% 49% Disapprove 32 23 34 35 34 30 30 29 33 44 DK/NA 7 6 7 5 4 9 7 5 8 7 AREA............................. AGE IN YRS.............. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Approve 59% 62% 60% 58% 79% 46% 63% 68% 71% Disapprove 36 31 33 34 18 46 31 28 24 DK/NA 6 7 7 8 3 8 6 5 5

24. In general, do you support or oppose offering tax breaks to encourage corporations and businesses to locate in New York City?