Politics on the Hudson

As the state Legislature returns to session tomorrow for an emergency economic session, a Siena Poll today finds that 48 percent of New Yorkers agree with Gov. Paterson that the state’s economic situation is poor.

Another 37 percent say it’s fair, while only 13 percent describe it as good.

“New Yorkers see a very bleak fiscal picture for the state, with 85 percent of voters describing the state’s fiscal condition as poor or fair,” said Steven Greenberg, Siena poll spokesman. “And 65 percent of voters, including more than three-quarters of upstaters, agree with the Governor that this is the worst fiscal situation the state has faced in more than three decades.”

When given four choices for the top priority in the special session, 26 percent said property taxes, 26 percent said job creation, 24 percent said the state budget deficit, and 11 percent said government reform.

Paterson’s favorable rating was 59 percent, up from 57 percent in July.

“Despite the state’s fiscal picture – or maybe because of the way he’s talking to voters about it – David Paterson has the best favorable and job performance ratings with voters he’s ever had,” Greenberg said.

In the presidential race, Barack Obama has slipped some, the poll found. Obama leads Republican John McCain in New York 47 percent to 39 percent, down from 50-37 percent in July and 51-33 percent in June.

Here’s the crosstabs.

|  Email This