RUTGERS UNIVERSITY The Stare University of New Jersey RELEASE 42

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1 RUTGERS UNIVERSITY The Stare University of New Jersey RELEASE 42 FOR RELEASE: WEDNES DAY AFTERNOON CONTACT: STEPHEN SALMORE THE EAGLETON INSTITUTE OF POLITICS Wood Lawn, Wilson Campus New Brunswic-k, New Jcrsey Tel After being Governor less than three months, Brendan Byrne is obviously doing something right. According to the latest New Jersey Poll, conducted by the Eagleton Institute of Rutgers University, more than half of those surveyed rated Byrne s performance as Governor as excellent or good. Only 20% termed his performance only fair or poor while a sizeable 28% offered no opinion. What has struck the public most positively about Governor Byrne is his handling of the energy crisis. An overwhelming majority of New Jerseyans 84% approve of the Governor s handling of this problem while only 7% disapprove. c Two months ago, just after Byrne took office most of those surveyed at that time 56% declined to rate Byrne s performance. Of the remaining group which did venture an opinion, 26% rated the Governor s performance as excellent or good and 19% termed his performance only fair or poor By moving decisively and instituting the odd even gasoline rationing system, Alan Rosenthal, the newly appointed Director of the Eagleton Institute, commented Byrne was able to convince many people that he could effectively deal with New Jersey s problems. Rosenthal went on to note, however, that many newly elected officials enjoy a honeymoon period when first elected. The real test for Byrne will come later this year when he must deal with more difficult problems than the gasoline shdrtage. Rosenthal singled out the financing of public schools more

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3 N J. POLL -RELEASE obably the most critical problem Byrne will face - The question is will Byrne be able to convert his public backing into legislative support for a proposal he is likely to put before the special session of the legislature that he has called to deal with the public school financing problem Any such proposal will have to involve some change in the present New Jersey tax structure. The last two Governors, Democrat Richard Hughes and Republican William Cahill failed to get the legislature to accept their proposals for a state income tax. Byrne may have more success in dealing with the present legislature. This newly elected legislature is overwhelmingly Democratic and Byrne s rating is particularly high among Democrats throughout the state. Almost two-thirds of Democrats --63% rate Byrne s performance as excellent or good while only 16% responded only fair or poor. 1.,endeiits B also does Zaiciy well whit Itide and Republicans. Attiony Incleoeiidents, 42% give him excellent or good ratings and 25% say only fair or poor. The figures for Republicans are similar --4l% excellent and good and 25% only fair or poor. The Tenth New Jersey Poll was conducted by telephone from the Eagleton Institute of Politics in New Brunswick, N.J. A scientifically selected random sample of 1222 New Jersey residents 18 years of age or older were interviewed. Copyright, The Eagleton Institute, 1974 C

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5 RUTGERS UNIVERSITY The State Uniuersity of New /ersey TO: POLITICAL REPORTERS THE EAGLETON INSTITUTE OF POLITICS Wood Lawn A eilson Campus ivc,v Brunswick, Nezu Je,-sey 0890! Tel FROM: STEPHEN SALMORE, DIRECTOR, THE NEW JERSEY POlL SUBJECT: TENTH NEW JERSEY POLL, RELEASE #2, WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON APRIL 17, 1974 The following questions are relevant to this release: Overall, how good a job do you think the new Governor c. New Jersey Brenden Byrne is doing- excellent, good, only fair, or poor? Excellent 9% Good 43 Only Fair 18 Poor 2 No Opinion 28 Ciow good a job do you think the New Jersey State Legislature is doing- excellent, good, only fair, or poor? Excellent 2% Good 25 Only Fair 34 Poor S No Opinion 34 Overall, would you say you approve or disapprove of the way Governor Byrne has been handling the current energy crisis? Do you strongly (approve/disapprove) or mildly (approve/disapprove)? Strongly Approve 48% Mildly Approve 36 Mildly Disapprove S Strongly Disapprove 2 No Opinion 9 - -more-

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7 No Opinion % 100% 100% No Opinion % 100% 100% Poor Only Fair Good Poor Only Fair Good Legislature Excellent 2% 1% 2% Governor Excellent 12% 5% 7% Democrats Independents Republicans The rating of the Governor and the Legislature by party identification is as follows: 2--

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