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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
Douglas E. Schoen, LLC
Manhattan Institute State Survey
August 29 September 5, 2011Survey of 400 registered voters in New York
Hello. I am conducting a survey on behalf of Douglas E. Schoen, LLC. Im going to ask you some
questions about the economy and the budgeting process, particularly with regard to state and local
governments. Im going to ask you some questions about people who work for state and local
governments who are called public sector employees, and various reforms or changes that have been
raised for how to deal with some of the budgetary issues that states and local governments are facing.
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
MOOD OF THE COUNTRY
1. Generally speaking, do you think the economy in your state is headed in the right direction or
on the wrong track?
Right direction 26%
Wrong track 58%
Not sure 16%
2. How efficient would you say your state government is?
TOTAL EFFICIENT 62%
TOTAL NOT EFFICIENT 37%
Very efficient 6%
Somewhat efficient 56%
Not very efficient 26%
Not at all efficient 11%
Not sure 1%
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
Public Sector Employees
Now Id like to ask about public and private sector employees. Public sector employees work
for city, state and federal agencies, while private sector employees work for private businesses.
3. Public sector employees receive salaries and two types of benefits: health care and defined-
benefit pensions, which guarantee workers a retirement income based on years worked and
peak pay levels. Questions have been raised about whether salaries should be frozen and
whether employees should be required to contribute more towards their benefits because state
and local governments are having problems paying them due to budget deficits.
Some say that public employees salaries should be frozen and they should be required to
contribute more towards their benefits. Others disagree and say their salaries should not be
frozen and they should not be required to contribute more towards their benefits. Which is
closer to your view?
Public employees salaries should be frozen and they should be required
to contribute more towards their benefits
44%
Public employees salaries should not be frozen and they should not be
required to contribute more towards their benefits
44%
Not sure 12%
4. What about for retired public employees? Should they have to contribute more toward their
pension and health care benefits because of state and local government budget problems, or
should they not have to?
Public employee retirees should have to contribute more toward their
health care benefits because of state and local government budget
problems
26%
Public employee retirees should not have to 66%
Not sure 9%
5. If your state and local governments did not have enough money to pay the salaries and benefits
of current public employees, would you be willing to have taxes raised so that the salaries and
benefits could be paid at current levels?
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
Yes 34%
No 63%
Not sure 3%
6. Okay, and if they did not have enough money to pay the salaries and benefits of current public
employees, would you be willing to have social service programs provided by your state cut so
that the salaries and benefits could be paid at current levels?
Yes 24%
No 70%
Not sure 6%
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
CRISIS WITH STATE BUDGETS AND PUBLIC EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Now Id like to ask a few questions about the crisis that many state and local governments faced
this year over their finances.
7. From what you know, did your state face a budget crisis this year? And if so, how was the crisis
resolved?
Yes, it was resolved with spending cuts 19%
Yes, it was resolved with tax increases 3%
Yes, it was resolved with a combination of spending cuts and tax
increases
42%
Yes, it was resolved in another way [list] 13%
No, my state did not face a budget crisis this year 8%
Not sure 14%
8. As you may know, many U.S. state governments are facing large budget deficits this year,
meaning that their spending has exceeded the amount of revenue that they have brought in
from fees and taxes. This has caused many public employee pension plans and healthcare plans
to be greatly underfunded. What would you say is the main reason for these problems? [read
choices]
State governments spent too much money 27%
State governments did not tax enough 5%
Public employees benefits are too high and unsustainable 14%
Elected state officials made careless and self-serving decisions 48%
Not sure 6%
9. In your opinion, what is the best way to address the problem of states not being able to afford
public employee benefits? [read choices]
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
Raise taxes 15%
Cut government spending 44%
Require current public employees to contribute more towards their
benefits
26%
Require retired public employees to contribute more towards their
benefits
4%
Not sure 11%
10. What would you say is the least desirable way to address the problem? [read choices]
Raise taxes 45%
Cut government spending 15%
Require current public employees to contribute more towards their
benefits
6%
Require retired public employees to contribute more towards their
benefits
29%
Not sure 4%
11. Generally speaking, do you favor or oppose reducing or eliminating certain state services to
reduce budget deficits?
TOTAL FAVOR 44%
TOTAL OPPOSE 47%
Strongly favor 16%
Somewhat favor 28%
Strongly oppose 27%
Somewhat oppose 20%
Not sure 9%
12. Do you favor or oppose increasing state sales, income or other taxes to reduce budget deficits?
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TOTAL FAVOR 39%
TOTAL OPPOSE 58%
Strongly favor 16%
Somewhat favor 24%
Strongly oppose 44%
Somewhat oppose 14%
Not sure 3%
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
Now Id like to ask you some questions about the process where state and local government
employees bargain with those jurisdictions over wages and benefits.
13. How much have you heard or read about the recent efforts in many states to reduce state
budget deficits by cutting the benefits of public employees -- a lot, some, not much or nothing
at all?
TOTAL A LOT/SOME 79%
TOTAL NOT MUCH/NOTHING 21%
A lot 38%
Some 40%
Not much 11%
Nothing at all 10%
Not sure 0%
14. Collective bargaining is a process of negotiations between employers and labor union
representatives aimed at reaching agreements that regulate working conditions and determine
salary and benefits. Advocates of collective bargaining say that by negotiating as part of a union
rather than individually, public employees can have more leverage in securing the higher pay
and more generous benefits that they deserve. Opponents say that public employees should
not bargain collectively and use the power of the group to potentially limit, delay or restrict the
delivery of important government services. Which position is closer to your view?
By negotiating as part of a union rather than individually, public
employees can have more leverage in securing the higher pay and moregenerous benefits that they deserve
54%
Public employees should not bargain collectively and use the power of
the group to potentially limit, delay or restrict the delivery of important
government services
36%
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
Not sure 11%
15. Some states are trying to restrict collective bargaining rules of public employee unions. Do you
favor or oppose restricting some of the collective bargaining rules of these unions?
TOTAL FAVOR 35%
TOTAL OPPOSE 51%
Strongly favor 25%
Somewhat favor 10%
Strongly oppose 36%
Somewhat oppose 15%
Not sure 13%
16. Some say that people go to work for public entities because they want the security of being part
of a public employee union and they want to have better pension and health care benefits, and
so it is unfair to require people to contribute more towards these benefits. Others say that
these benefits should be provided if state governments can afford them, but if they cant afford
them, everyone must accept the fiscal realities of these times and the benefits should be
reduced or employees should be required to contribute more towards them. Which is closer to
your view?
People work for public entities because they want the security, better
pension and health care benefits, so it is unfair to require people to
contribute more towards these benefits
35%
These benefits should be given if state governments can afford them, but
if they cant afford them, everyone must accept the fiscal realities of
these times and the benefits should be reduced or employees should be
required to contribute more towards them
60%
Not sure 6%
17. Some people say that collective bargaining is an essential right of public employees. Budget
problems states face are the result of mismanagement and overspending, and public sector
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
workers have bargained for the pay and benefits they received and have earned them by
receiving higher levels of training and education. Others say that collective bargaining gives
public sector employees an effective monopoly control over the governments workforce,
giving the unions too much power over government budgets, which they use to get too much
public money spent for their salaries and benefits. Which position is closer to your view?
Collective bargaining is an essential right of public employees. Budget
problems states face are the result of mismanagement and overspending,
and public sector workers have bargained for the pay and benefits they
received
52%
Collective bargaining gives public sector employees an effective
monopoly control over the governments workforce, allowing the unions
to get too much public money spent for their salaries and benefits.
43%
Not sure 6%
18. Some people say that limiting collective bargaining will result in more reasonable benefits for
public employees and thus help states close their budget gaps. Others say that it is unclear how
much money will actually be saved by limiting these rights. Which is closer to your view?
Limiting collective bargaining will result in more reasonable benefits for
public employees and thus help states close their budget gaps
24%
It is unclear how much money will actually be saved by limiting these
rights
63%
Not sure 13%
19. Some people say that tenure for teachers should be phased out because tenure protects bad
teachers from being fired while making it harder to bring in new and better teachers. Others
say that teacher tenure is a longstanding right for public school teachers and it would be unfair
for it to be taken away from them. Which opinion is closer to your view?
Tenure for teachers should be phased out because tenure protects bad
teachers from being fired while making it harder to bring in new and
better teachers
54%
Teacher tenure is a longstanding right for public school teachers and it 40%
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
would be unfair for it to be taken away from them
Not sure 6%
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
Pension Plans
Now Im going to ask you a few questions about pension plans and how they may be offered to
employees.
20. States are now moving away from defined benefit programs, where employees are guaranteed
a set payment upon retirement based on their salary and years of work, to defined contribution
programs that most private sector workers are enrolled in, where both the employer and
employee contribute to the retirement plan and the actual payout is based on the investment
return. This is because defined benefit programs are too expensive. Do you favor or oppose
giving public employees a choice between participating in a defined benefit plan or a defined
contribution plan?
TOTAL FAVOR 69%
TOTAL OPPOSE 20%
Strongly favor 35%
Somewhat favor 34%
Strongly oppose 14%
Somewhat oppose 5%
Not sure 11%
21. Some people say that giving public employees the opportunity to participate in a defined
contribution plan, which gives the employee the power to make decisions and the ability to
take the plan with them as they move around from job-to-job because defined contribution
plans offer investor choice and portability. Do you favor or oppose giving public employees a
choice between participating in a defined benefit plan or a defined contribution plan to increase
investor choice and portability?
TOTAL FAVOR 73%
TOTAL OPPOSE 16%
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Strongly favor 47%
Somewhat favor 26%
Strongly oppose 12%
Somewhat oppose 4%
Not sure 11%
22. Okay, and do you favor or oppose moving all new public employees from a defined benefit plan
to a defined contribution plan?
TOTAL FAVOR 51%
TOTAL OPPOSE 31%
Strongly favor 37%
Somewhat favor 15%
Strongly oppose 16%
Somewhat oppose 14%
Not sure 18%
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
LABOR UNIONS
23. In general, do you think the salaries and benefits of most public employees are too high for the
work that they do, too low for the work that they do, or are their salaries and benefits about
right for the work that they do?
Too high 30%
Too low 19%
About right 41%
Not sure 9%
24. Do you think police officers and firefighters should be able to retire after 25 years of service and
begin collecting pension checks, even if they are in their forties or fifties, or should they have to
be older than that to retire and collect pension checks regardless of the number of years they
have served?
They should be able to retire after 25 years and begin collecting pension
checks, even if they are in their forties or fifties
48%
They should have to be older than that to retire and collect pension
checks
47%
Not sure 5%
25. Do you think teachers should be able to retire after a set period of service and begin collecting
pension checks even if they are younger than 65, or should they not be able to do this?
They should be able to retire and collect pension checks even if they areyounger than 65
63%
They should not be able to 32%
Not sure 5%
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
26. Public employee unions lobby and elect public officials with whom they later negotiate in the
collective bargaining process. Do you think this gives them too much influence, or is this not really a
concern?
This gives them too much influence 49%
This is not really a concern 43%
Not sure 8%
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
Outcomes of Reform
Im going to read you a list of outcomes that people say will result from reforming the way public
employees are compensated and the benefits they receive. For each, please tell me whether this is
likely to happen as a result of reforming public employees salaries and benefits.
27. Reforming public employees salaries and benefits will equalize private and public sector
salaries
Much more likely to support reform 13%
Somewhat more likely 35%
Not more likely 32%
Not sure 20%
28. Reforming public employees salaries and benefits will make government more efficient and
effective
Much more likely to support reform 19%
Somewhat more likely 36%
Not more likely 36%
Not sure 9%
29. Reforming public employees salaries and benefits will help preserve key social programs by
making government more efficient
Much more likely to support reform 12%
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
Somewhat more likely 38%
Not more likely 29%
Not sure 21%
30. Reforming public employees salaries and benefits will hold the line on taxes
Much more likely to support reform 25%
Somewhat more likely 22%
Not more likely 39%
Not sure 14%
31. We have just asked about outcomes from reforming wages and salaries. Collective bargaining is
theprocess of how these wages and salaries are negotiated. If there is collective bargaining
reform, do you think it will make government more efficient and effective, or will it not make it
more efficient and effective?
Government will become more efficient and effective 42%
It will not become more efficient and effective 45%
Not sure 13%
32. We have just asked about outcomes from reforming wages and salaries. Collective bargaining is
theprocess of how these wages and salaries are negotiated. If there is collective bargaining
reform, do you think it will equalize private and public sector salaries?
Yes 28%
No 53%
Not sure 19%
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
33. We have just asked about outcomes from reforming wages and salaries. Collective bargaining is
theprocess of how these wages and salaries are negotiated. If there is collective bargaining
reform, do you think it will help preserve key social programs by making government more
efficient?
Yes 47%
No 44%
Not sure 10%
34. Okay, and do you think collective bargaining reform will make state budgets more resilient?
Yes 40%
No 44%
Not sure 16%
35. Which is more important to improving the states finances reforming the collective bargaining
process, or reforming the way public employees are compensated and the benefits theyreceive?
Reforming collective bargaining 32%
Reforming public employees salaries and benefits 42%
Not sure 26%
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
QUESTIONS ABOUT NEW YORK
36. New York balanced its budget this year by reducing spending in most areas rather than raising
taxes. Do you favor or oppose this plan?
TOTAL FAVOR 75%
TOTAL OPPOSE 22%
Strongly favor 47%
Somewhat favor 28%
Strongly oppose 15%
Somewhat oppose 7%
Not sure 3%
37. New York recently enacted a new property tax law, which caps property taxes at 2% or the rate
of inflation, whichever is less. Do you favor or oppose this law?
TOTAL FAVOR 69%
TOTAL OPPOSE 23%
Strongly favor 36%
Somewhat favor 32%
Strongly oppose 13%
Somewhat oppose 10%
Not sure 8%
38. Some say this law will help make New York more affordable. Others say the cap will undercut
education and local government services, causing layoffs and steep cuts in municipal services.
Which position is closer to your views?
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
This law will help make New York more affordable 47%
This law will undercut government services and cause layoffs 40%
Not sure 13%
39. Why do you think that people are leaving New York? [two choices accepted]
Lack of opportunity 14%
Taxes are too high 41%
The cost of living is too expensive 60%
There are not enough jobs 34%
Other [list] 16%
Not sure 4%
40. To earn enough money to pay our pension guarantees to government employees, pension
funds are invested in stocks and other assets that carry some financial risk, as stocks can lose
money in the short term. Currently, New York taxpayers bear all of the financial risks involved in
guaranteeing payment of public pensions, as they must make up the difference when pension
funds lose money in the stock market or fail to earn as much as they need. Some have
suggested that the risk be shared in some way. Who do you think should bear the financial risks
of the public pension system?
Taxpayers entirely 7%
Mostly taxpayers, with public employees paying some of the cost 3%
The risk should be evenly divided between taxpayers and public
employees
40%
Mostly public employees, with taxpayers bearing some of the burden 13%
Public employees entirely 26%
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
Not sure 10%
41. In the wake of the financial crisis and stock market losses, taxpayer-funded contributions to
New York pension are expected to more than double over the next few years. Given this
information, who do you think should bear the financial risks of the public pension system?
Taxpayers entirely 7%
Mostly taxpayers, with public employees paying some of the cost 2%
The risk should be evenly divided between taxpayers and public
employees
39%
Mostly public employees, with taxpayers bearing some of the burden 15%
Public employees entirely 27%
Not sure 10%
42. Some people say that because public pensions are guaranteed by the NYS Constitution, the
pension plan in place at the time a public employee is hired can never be changed, and any
changes in benefits or contributions can only affect newly hired employees. Do you think the
Constitution should be changed so that pension benefits can be changed after an employee ishired, or should the Constitution not be changed?
The Constitution should be changed so that pension benefits can be
changed after an employee is hired
41%
The Constitution should not be changed 50%
Not sure 9%
43. Would you favor changing this provision to allow the Governor and the Legislature more
flexibility to change pension benefits for current government employees?
Yes 42%
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
No 49%
Not sure 8%
44. [If yes] What change would you favor?
Increase employee contribution to the pension fund when it lose money 37%
Raise the retirement age for current public workers 23%
Lengthen the amount of time a current employee must work for the
government to qualify for a maximum pension
31%
45. Do you favor or oppose raising the retirement age for all employees besides police and firemen
from 62 to 65?
TOTAL FAVOR 46%
TOTAL OPPOSE 43%
Strongly favor 35%
Somewhat favor 12%
Strongly oppose 26%
Somewhat oppose 17%
Not sure 10%
46. Some states have raised the retirement age to 67. Do you favor or oppose this?
TOTAL FAVOR 27%
TOTAL OPPOSE 63%
Strongly favor 21%
Somewhat favor 6%
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Strongly oppose 48%
Somewhat oppose 15%
Not sure 10%
47. Governor Cuomo has proposed reducing benefits so that the maximum benefit after 30 years
would be 50% instead of 60% of an employees highest final average salary. Do you favor or
oppose this?
TOTAL FAVOR 42%
TOTAL OPPOSE 47%
Strongly favor 24%
Somewhat favor 18%
Strongly oppose 38%
Somewhat oppose 10%
Not sure 10%
48. Governor Cuomo has proposed raising the employee contribution for pension benefits from 3%
of salary a year for most workers to 6% of salary a year for all workers. Do you favor or opposethis?
TOTAL FAVOR 66%
TOTAL OPPOSE 28%
Strongly favor 45%
Somewhat favor 21%
Strongly oppose 19%
Somewhat oppose 9%
Not sure 6%
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
49. Do you favor a pension system where public employees would have to bear some of the cost of
their benefits, or do you favor a system where taxpayers should bear all of the cost, even if the
ultimate benefit level is lower?
A pension system where public employees would have to bear some of
the cost
81%
A pension system where taxpayers bear the cost but benefits are lower 8%
Not sure 10%
50. The pension benefits offered to New York public employees replace 77% of an average worker's
paycheck, without counting additional social security benefits. Some people say this is becausethe cost of living in New York is very high and they need the money. Others say it is too much,
and it should be reduced. Which position is closer to your view?
This is because the cost of living in New York is very high and they need
the money Too low
55%
It is too much, and it should be reduced 37%
Not sure 7%
51. In your opinion, what percentage of public employees final compensation should they get in
pensions and other benefits?
Under 50% 25%
50-60% 25%
60-70% 9%
70-80% 7%
Over 80% 7%
Not sure 26%
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
DEMOGRAPHICS
52. Age
Under 18 [END] 0%
18-29 22%
30-39 21%
40-49 19%
50-64 26%
65 and older 11%
REFUSED 1%
53. Gender
Male 46%
Female 54%
54. Race/Ethnicity
White or Caucasian 71%
Black or African-American 17%
Hispanic 6%
Asian 3%
Some other racial or ethnic heritage 1%
REFUSED 2%
55. Party
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Democrat 52%
Republican 20%
Independent 17%
Other 7%
REFUSED 3%
56. Religion
Protestant 29%
Evangelical 2%
Catholic 34%
Jewish 11%
Muslim 2%
Atheist or Agnostic 3%
Other 5%
None 11%
Not sure 4%
57. Do you consider yourself liberal, moderate or conservative?
Liberal 22%
Moderate 46%
Conservative 25%
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58. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
Some high school or less 2%
High school graduate 15%
Some college 15%
College graduate 35%
Some graduate school 5%
Graduate degree 26%
Technical school 1%
59. Do you belong to a union?
Yes 24%
No 76%
60. [If yes] Is it a public or private union?
Public 70%
Private 28%
REFUSED 3%
61. What is your current work status?
Working full time 49%
Working part time 14%
Retired 17%
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Other 20%
REFUSED 0%
62. [if full/part time] Do you work in the private sector or the public sector?
Private 68%
Public 31%
REFUSED 0%
63. Region
NYC 38%
Suburbs 20%
Upstate 42%
64. Income
You and your family earn less than $20,000 annually 9%
$20,000 to $40,000 16%
$40,000 to $60,000 10%
$60,000 to $75,000 13%
$75,000 to $100,000 15%
More than $100,000 24%
Not sure 13%
____________________________________________________________________________________
Methodology
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
Douglas E. Schoen, LLC conducted interviews with 400 randomly selected voters from August 29
September 5, 2011 in each of the following states: FL, IL, IN, MI, MT, NC, NY, OH, PA, WI. The margin of
error for each of these surveys is +/-4.9%. Each survey was conducted by telephone using random digit
dialing, which gives every phone subscriber and cell phone user a theoretically equal chance of being
selected.
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
Douglas E. Schoen, LLC
Manhattan Institute State Survey
September 17-18, 2011
ADDENDUM SURVEY Survey of 400 registered voters in New York
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CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
1. Some states are trying to restrict the influence of public employee unions on contractnegotiations to give employers more flexibility in meeting their budget goals. Do you favor or
oppose restricting the influence of unions in order to meet budget goals?
TOTAL FAVOR 40%
TOTAL OPPOSE 45%
Strongly favor 23%
Somewhat favor 17%
Strongly oppose 28%
Somewhat oppose 17%
Not sure 15%
2. Some people say that public employee unions negotiate employment contracts that cost morethan their private-sector counterparts, costing taxpayers more than they should. Others say
that public employees need to negotiate through their unions to get fair pay and benefits.Which position is closer to your view?
Public employee unions negotiate employment contracts that cost morethan their private-sector counterparts, costing taxpayers more thanthey should.
27%
Public employees need to negotiate through their unions to get fair pay andbenefits.
62%
Not sure 11%
3. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Public employees should be paid thesame salary and benefits as private sector employees who do the same kind of work.
TOTAL AGREE 77%
TOTAL DISAGREE 12%
Strongly agree 58%
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Somewhat agree 19%
Somewhat disagree 8%
Strongly disagree 4%
Not sure 11%
4. Some people say that limiting the influence public employee unions have in bargainingemployment contracts will result in more reasonable benefits for public employees and thus
help the states close their budget gaps. Others say it will ultimately hurt public employees and
cost the state more money. Which position is closer to your view?
Limiting the influence of public employee unions in contract negotiations willresult in more reasonable benefits and help states close budgetgaps.
43%
Limiting the influence of public employee unions in contract negotiations willhurt public employees and cost the state more money
42%
Not sure 15%
5. A uniqueNew York law requires all provisions of a public-sector union contract to remain ineffect until a new contract is settled, no matter how long it takes. As a result, many publicemployees continue to receive automatic annual pay increases after their union contracts have
expired. Local elected officials say this law gives unions anegotiating advantage, since public
employees have nothing to lose by refusing to consider contract concessions that would save
money for taxpayers. Unions say that by making it harder for employers to changetheir pay
and benefits, the law has prevented public employee strikes. Which opinion is closer to your
view?
This law should be repealed because it gives unions a negotiating advantage. 35%
The law should be retained because otherwise public employees might goon strike.
41%
Not sure 24%
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PAY AND BENEFITS
6. State and local government workers pay an average of 29% of their health insurance premiums,compared to 31% in the private sector. Governor Cuomo recently negotiated two new
contracts with state government employees that will raise their health insurance contributions
to a level closer to the national average. However, some large groups of local government
employees in New York continue to contribute much less.
Do you think that all public employees in New York should be required to contribute as much to
their health insurance as state government employees do?
Yes 61%
No 29%
Not sure 10%
7. The New York State Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness hasrecommended that all local government and school district employees be required to
contribute at least 10% of health insurance premiums for individual coverage, and at least 25%
for family coverage. Local governments would remain free to bargain for higher contributions.
Keeping in mind that some public employees now pay closer to the national average in health
insurance contributions, but some pay nothing, do you favor or oppose this proposal?
TOTAL FAVOR 50%
TOTAL OPPOSE 36%
Strongly favor 36%
Somewhat favor 14%
Strongly oppose 19%
Somewhat oppose 17%
Not sure 14%
8. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? In a fiscal crisis, elected officials shouldbe able to suspend union contracts and temporarily freeze salaries of public employees in order
to save public employee jobs and preserve services.
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
TOTAL AGREE 48%
TOTAL DISAGREE 48%
Strongly agree 21%
Somewhat agree 27%
Somewhat disagree 21%
Strongly disagree 27%
Not sure 4%
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
RETIREMENT
9. Public school teachers in New York are able to retire with full, taxpayer-funded pensions in theirlate 50s. Do you think this age is about right, or is it too young?
About right 36%
Too young 54%
Not sure 10%
10.A typical private pension plan replaces less than 50% of an employees peak income beforeretirement, while public pension plans in New York can replace more than 70 percent of peak
earnings for a career public employee. Governor Cuomo has proposed a bill that would reduce
this wage replacement rate to a level closer to what is offered by private pension plans. Do you
favor or oppose this?
TOTAL FAVOR 43%
TOTAL OPPOSE 46%Strongly favor 27%
Somewhat favor 16%
Strongly oppose 26%
Somewhat oppose 20%
Not sure 11%
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
DEMOGRAPHICS
11. Age
Under 18 [END] 0%
18-29 22%
30-39 21%
40-49 19%
50-64 26%
65 and older 11%
REFUSED 1%
12. Gender
Male 46%
Female 54%
13. Race/Ethnicity
White or Caucasian 71%
Black or African-American 17%
Hispanic 6%
Asian 3%
Some other racial or ethnic heritage 1%
REFUSED 2%
14. Party
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Democrat 48%
Republican 26%
Independent 18%
Other 4%
REFUSED 3%
15. Religion
Protestant 26%
Evangelical 1%
Catholic 31%
Jewish 13%
Muslim 2%
Atheist or Agnostic 3%
Other 6%
None 11%
Not sure 6%
16. Do you consider yourself liberal, moderate or conservative?
Liberal 27%
Moderate 40%
Conservative 25%
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
17. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
Some high school or less 0%
High school graduate 17%
Some college 15%
College graduate 25%
Some graduate school 4%
Graduate degree 36%
Technical school 2%
DK/REF 1%
18. Do you belong to a union?
Yes 26%
No 74%
19. [If yes] Is it a public or private union?
Public 84%
Private 15%
REFUSED 0%
20. What is your current work status?
Working full time 58%
Working part time 11%
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
Retired 15%
Other 14%
REFUSED 2%
21. [if full/part time] Do you work in the private sector or the public sector?
Private 68%
Public 32%
REFUSED 0%
22. RegionNYC 42%
Suburbs 18%
Upstate 40%
23. Income
You and your family earn less than $20,000 annually 8%
$20,000 to $40,000 12%
$40,000 to $60,000 9%
$60,000 to $75,000 11%
$75,000 to $100,000 16%
More than $100,000 26%
Not sure 17%
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Douglas E. Schoen LLC conducted this survey for the Manhattan Institute
Methodology
Douglas E. Schoen, LLC conducted an additional survey in New York State with 400 randomly selected
voters from September 17-18, 2011. The margin of error for this survey is +/-4.9%. The survey was
conducted by telephone using random digit dialing, which gives every phone subscriber and cell phone
user a theoretically equal chance of being selected.