May Wed, 2003
CONCERNS ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT DECLINE
In a post-Saddam world and with the state facing a large budget deficit, New Jersey’s views on the seriousness of environmental problems and water pollution have declined. Less than one-third of residents view these environmental conditions as very serious problems today. Just a few years ago, most New Jerseyans saw these as very serious problems in the state. And while environmental concerns have abated, New Jerseyans – by a 2 to 1 margin – still support the enforcement of strict anti-pollution laws.
May Sun, 2003
GOVERNOR McGREEVEY: “NOT DEAD AT ALL. THANKS FOR ASKING.”
Trying to find anyone inside of Trenton with something nice to say about Jim McGreevey lately has been a little like trying to find Saddam Hussein. Republicans are openly enthusiastic about the prospect of running against McGreevey in two years; some Democratic leaders are quietly whispering about a primary challenge to the Governor. But the ordinary citizens of New Jersey have now spoken and their voice should be read as a note of caution to the ambitious: The current assessment is: “He’s OK—not great, but not a disaster either.” Or, back off--he ain’t dead yet.
May Thu, 2003
NEW JERSEYANS SUGGEST ITEMS FOR THE BUDGET AX
As the Governor and state legislature hunker down to pass a constitutionally mandated balanced budget, a new Star-Ledger/Eagleton-Rutgers Poll finds that state residents continue to favor the Governor’s approach of cutting services instead of raising taxes – it’s just a question of which services. This comes at a time when New Jerseyans voice their most pessimistic views of the state’s economy since the early 1990s’ recession.
March Sun, 2003
“QUALITY OF GOVERNMENT” RATINGS DECLINE STEEPLY IN NEW JERSEY
For it shows there has been a dramatic decline in the public trust--in how New Jerseyans describe the quality of their government-- over just the last two years. In April 2001, positive ratings of excellent or good outnumbered negative ones of only fair or poor by a margin of 54 to 43 percent. Now just 38 percent of state residents boast that theirs is a government of at least good quality—only one percent describe it as excellent. Fully 60 percent offer critical assessments.