August Sun, 1990

THE PHYSICAL HEALTH OF NEW JERSEYANS: SMOKING IS DOWN; STRESS IS UP

Overall, New Jerseyans are feeling good about their own health. In a self-assessment, about 3-in-4 state residents say they are in excellent or good health. In addition, less than half of the state’s residents say they have ever smoked cigarettes--a 13 point decline from five years ago, and less 3-in-10 now smoke. Also on the plus side, more 8-in-10 say they exercise regularly and eat well-balanced meals.

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August Sun, 1990

NEW SCHOOL FUNDING PLAN GETS LOW GRADES

A majority of New Jerseyans disapprove of the new system for financing public education which will change the distribution of state aid to local school districts. Also, only one-third of New Jerseyans think their school district will continue to be eligible for state aid the new funding formula, according to the latest Star-Ledger/Bagleton Poll. In addition, about 7-in-10 residents expect their property taxes will go up under the new funding system, even though it is supposed to provide property tax relief for many communities.

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July Sun, 1990

NEW JERSEYANS DISAPPROVE OF NEW TAXES; MOST THINK SPENDING CUTS COULD HAVE BEEN GREATER AND THAT TAX PACKAGE WILL HURT MIDDLE CLASS

By very large margins, a majority of New Jerseyans disapprove of most parts of the package of new taxes recently passed by the State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Florio. Of all the various increases in state taxes recently enacted, the only one which is supported by a majority of residents is the higher tax on alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco, according to the latest Star-Ledger/Eagleton Poll.

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