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| January 27, 2005 - New Jersey Voters Oppose Gas Tax Hike 3-1, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Back Stem Cell Research, But Mixed On Funding It |
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By a 71 - 23 percent margin, New Jersey voters oppose hiking the gasoline tax to help balance the state budget, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Opposition to a gas tax hike drops to 57 - 39 percent if the money is used to finance road improvements.
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Opposition to a gas tax hike is strong among men and women, Democrats, Republicans and independent voters and urban, suburban and rural voters, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.
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New Jersey voters support stem cell research 68 - 20 percent, but support by a narrower 47 - 42 percent margin a proposal by Acting Governor Richard Codey to spend $380 million in state funds for this research.
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"Voters almost never support a tax increase, so it's significant that four in ten New Jersey voters would back a gasoline tax hike - if it went to improve the state's highways. Support drops dramatically when voters are asked to support a gasoline tax hike to balance the budget," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
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"New Jersey voters overwhelmingly support stem cell research, but backing declines sharply when an expensive price tag is put on the program. Even then, a plurality support Acting Gov. Codey's proposal which would make the state a leader in stem cell research," Richards added.
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By a 74 - 20 percent margin New Jersey voters say it's a "good idea" to amend the state constitution to create an office of lieutenant governor, where a candidate is elected along with the governor and serves as governor if the governor is unable to complete the term.
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Voters also say 78 - 10 percent that it's a "good idea" to have a constitutional convention after the 2005 elections to restructure New Jersey's property tax system.
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"It's not surprising that voters overwhelmingly want constitutional changes to cut property taxes and to create the post of lieutenant governor in New Jersey. Property taxes have long been identified in Quinnipiac University polls as the number one problem in the state," Richards said.
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"And New Jersey voters have seen twice in four years the problems that develop when a governor resigns leaving the Senate president as acting governor."
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From January 18 - 24, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,215 New Jersey registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points.
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| The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida and nationally as a public service and for research. For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu and quicklinks or call (203) 582-5201. Contact Quinnipiac
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