Voters think Gov. Rell “copped out” by neither signing nor vetoing the budget and her popularity has dipped below 60 percent, the lowest it’s ever been.
The reason people don’t seem to think as highly of M. Jodi Rell as they used to is linked to the state's budget problems, according to Doug Schwartz, poll director for Quinnipiac University.
"By a hefty 22-point margin, voters think that by allowing the budget to become law without her signature or veto, Gov. Jodi Rell copped out," Schwartz said. "Among those who disapprove of Gov. Rell's decision to not sign the budget bill, most think she should have vetoed it."
After a record-breaking budget impasse and months of bickering over an $8 billion deficit, state lawmakers approved a $37.6 billion budget for the two-year period that began July 1, apparently amid playing solitaire and watching ESPN.
Voters, 921 of them, shared their feelings with Schwartz’s pollsters between Sept. 10 and 14. According to the results released on Wednesday, the governor’s popularity has slid to 59 percent, down from 65 in July.
But, Democrats should not be jumping up and down, rejoicing over Rell’s the downward slide because people like them even less.
And, then there’s the issue of other regional governors whose popularity is even lower.
"Gov. Rell's approval is down six points to 59 percent. She has hit an all-time low, although neighboring governors would love to have those numbers.
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Voters gave state lawmakers an abysmal 35 percent approval rating, the worst score since 2003 and 61percent don’t like the way Democrats in the Legislature are handling the state budget.
"Democrats can't take comfort in these numbers, since their score on the budget is much lower than the Governor's," Schwartz said. "But Democrats might hope that the Rell juggernaut finally has hit a pothole, which could set the stage for a competitive race for Governor next year."
Voters were split in several things they were asked but 74 percent favor higher taxes for upper income individuals and families and 65 percent support cutting the sales tax from 6 percent to 5.5 percent.
Voters, including Republicans, disapprove of cutting estate taxes for the wealthy.
