RE: Survey of New York State Business Decision Makers

Transcription

1 Polling To: Committee for Economic Development From: Date: October, RE: Survey of New York State Business Decision Makers was commissioned by the Committee for Economic Development to conduct a hybrid telephone/online survey of 300 New York State business decision makers. Using trusted interactive partner resources, thousands of New York State businesses were invited to participate in this interactive survey. Each invitation is password coded and secure so that one respondent can only access the survey one time. Telephone samples are randomly drawn from purchased telephone lists of New York State businesses. Up to three calls are made to reach a sampled phone number; respondents that were not available but qualified to respond were allowed to set appointments to be recalled within the time frame of the field work. Based on a confidence interval of 95%, the margin of error for 300 is +/- 5.7 percentage points. This means that all other things being equal, the identical survey repeated will have results within the margin of error 95 times out of 100. Subsets of the data have a larger margin of error than the whole data set. As a rule we do not rely on the validity of very small subsets of the data especially sets smaller than respondents. At that subset we can make estimations based on the data, but in these cases the data is more qualitative than quantitative. Additional factors can create error, such as question topics and phrasing. 1

2 Executive Summary Polling This survey of business decision makers in New York State asked a series of questions about government and campaign finance, including some possible ideas for reforming the process of financing campaigns. Overwhelmingly respondents have a dim view of corporate campaign financing, and agree that they find the system to be flawed, in ways that cause big business contributors to campaigns to have significant influence on elected officials. As this summary indicates, business decision makers were asked a series of questions regarding political contributions and the need for campaign finance reform. The most striking set of questions is one of the first questions, and the last question. They are the same, but asked after stepping the respondents through a series of neutral but pointed questions regarding reform and contributions. Business decision makers are generally happy (65% positive) with the job that Governor Cuomo is doing, and more than half agree that New York is headed in the right direction. That said, they are in strong agreement (92%) that when it comes to the way election campaigns are financed lobbyists and political donors have more influence than average voters. A majority of 70% agrees that major changes are needed in the way we finance election campaigns. Respondents agree (69%) that elected officials in New York are looking out for the needs mostly of those who finance their campaigns. They agree that some (41%) or a lot (37%) of pressure is placed on corporate leaders to make political contributions. And that corporations and members of the business community really only contribute to campaigns in order to gain access to influence the legislative process. They agree that there is a risk that a company s customers or shareholders would react negatively to news of its campaign contributions. Although a plurality (42%) agrees that the impact is only moderate. The level of influence that corporate donations have on election outcomes, however, is seen as bad by 62%. When asked about possible reforms to the system 80% overall would support creating a system of voluntary public campaign financing in New York that would limit the size of contributions that the candidate can accept. Sixty- three percent agree that public funding of campaigns is the best way to reduce the possibility and the perception of corruption associated with large contributions. Eighty- two percent would support a system of campaign finance that encourages candidates to fund their campaigns through a broad base of small dollar donors. Seventy- two percent would support creating a system of public campaign financing that gives citizens the incentive to give small dollar contributions. 2

3 Polling Narrative Summary How would you rate the job that Andrew Cuomo is doing as Governor? Excellent 14% Good 51 Fair 25 Poor 5 4 Half agree that Andrew Cuomo is doing a good job, while 14% find him to be doing an excellent job. A quarter agrees that the job he is doing is just fair, and 5% would agree he s doing a poor job. How would you describe the fiscal condition of New York State right now? Excellent 3% Good 23 Fair 44 Poor 28 1 A plurality of respondents agrees that the fiscal condition of New York State right now, is fair. Twenty- eight percent agree that New York is in poor condition fiscally, and 23% agree it is in good shape, with just 3% agreeing that New York s fiscal condition is excellent. Do you believe New York State is heading in the right direction or are things off on the wrong track? Right Direction 54% Wrong Track More than half agree that New York State is heading in the right direction with fewer than a quarter agreeing that the state is on the wrong track. 3

4 Polling When it comes to the way election campaigns are financed, do you think lobbyists and political donors have more influence than average voters? Yes 92% No 5 3 Nearly all agree that when it comes to the way election campaigns are financed, lobbyists and political donors have more influence than average voters. When it comes to the way election campaigns are financed, do you think we need to make minor changes, no changes or major changes in the way we finance election campaigns? Minor changes 19% No changes 6 Major changes 70 6 Seven in ten agree that when it comes to the way campaigns are financed; we need to make major changes. Just 19% agree that minor changes will do, and 6% feel no changes are necessary when it comes to financing election campaigns. Would you support or oppose creating a voluntary system of campaign financing that matches small dollar contributions with public funds? Strongly support 16% Overall support 42% Somewhat support 26 Somewhat oppose 21 Overall oppose 44% Strongly oppose When asked whether they support or oppose creating a voluntary system of campaign financing that matches small dollar contributions with public funds, respondents are virtually tied, with 42% overall supporting the idea, and 44% overall opposing the notion. 4

5 Polling Right now, would you say elected officials in New York are looking out for the needs of everyone, or are they mostly concerned with the needs of those who finance their campaigns? Looking out for all New Yorkers 16% More concerned with those who finance their campaigns Respondents overwhelmingly agree (69%) that elected officials in New York are looking out for the needs of those who finance their campaigns, rather than for the needs of all New Yorkers. Do you think the problems with the influence of money on politics in New York are getting worse, staying about the same, or getting better? Getting worse 44% Staying the same 44 Getting better 6 6 Respondents are tied at 44% each, when asked if the problems with the influence of money of politics in New York are getting worse or staying the same. Just 6% feel the problems are getting better. In your opinion how much pressure is placed on corporate leaders to make political contributions? A lot 37% Some 41 Not Very much 6 None whatsoever When asked how much pressure is placed on corporate leaders to make political contributions, 41% agree that, in their opinion, there is some pressure, and 37% agree that there is a lot of pressure. Just 6% agree that not very much pressure is placed on corporate leaders to make political contributions. 5

6 Polling Which of the following comes closest to your own opinion about why corporations and members of the business community contribute to political campaigns? Would you say it is...? To gain access to influence the legislative process 60% To promote a certain ideological position 15 To avoid adverse legislative consequences 13 To support the electoral process as part of its civic duty 3 None of the above 2 6 More than half (60%) agree that corporations and members of the business community contribute to campaigns in order to gain access to influence the legislative process. Generally speaking, do you feel the level of pressure being placed on business leaders to make political contributions has increased, decreased, or stayed about the same since the last presidential election in 2008? Increased a lot 22% Increased Somewhat 29 Stayed about the same 32 Decreased somewhat 2 15 Thirty- two percent of respondents agree that the pressure to make political contributions has stayed about the same since the last presidential election. Twenty- two percent feel the pressure has increased a lot, and 29% feel it has increased somewhat. Just 2% see a decrease, with 15% not sure. Have you or your company made a campaign contribution in the 2010 or 2012 election cycle? Yes 19% No Well over half (69%) have not, nor have their companies, made a campaign contribution in this or the 2010 election cycle. 6

7 Was the contribution to a candidate running in New York State? Polling Yes 64% No Among those who made a contribution in this, or the 2010, election cycle 64% contributed to a candidate running in New York State. Twenty- one percent donated to a candidate running elsewhere. Do you agree or disagree that there is a risk that a company's customers or shareholders would react negatively to news of its campaign contributions? Strongly agree 21% Overall agree 60% Somewhat agree 49 Somewhat disagree 9 Overall Disagree 11% Strongly disagree 2 19 Respondents very much agree (60%) that there is a risk that a company s customers or shareholders would react negatively to news of its campaign contributions. Eleven percent overall disagree, with 9% disagreeing somewhat, and 2% disagreeing strongly. Thinking about the public perception of corporations providing large political contributions to campaigns, what level of impact do you believe it has on business? Large impact 23% Moderate impact 42 Little impact 16 No impact 2 17 A plurality of respondents, (42%), agree that the public perception of corporations providing large political contributions to campaigns would have a moderate impact on business. Just about a quarter calls the impact large, and 16% would agree that there s little impact. 7

8 Polling Thinking about the level of influence corporate donations have on election outcomes, do you believe corporate donations are a good or bad thing for the political process? Good 15% Bad A solid majority (62%) agrees that corporate donations are a bad thing for the political process, when they consider the level of influence that corporate donations have on election outcomes. Do you agree or disagree that those that give the most money get the most from Albany? Strongly agree 37% Overall agree 83% Somewhat agree 46 Somewhat disagree 9 Overall disagree 11% Strongly disagree 2 7 Respondents overall agree (83%) that those that give the most money, get the most from Albany. Overall 11% disagree with this statement. Would you support or oppose creating a system of voluntary public campaign financing in New York that would limit the size of political contributions that candidates can accept? Strongly support 45% Overall support 80% Somewhat support 35 Somewhat oppose 6 Overall oppose 11% Strongly oppose 5 8 Overall 80% agree that they would support creating a system of voluntary public campaign financing in NY that would limit the size of political contributions. 8

9 Polling Do you agree or disagree that public funding of campaigns is the best way to reduce the possibility and the perception of corruption associated with large contributions? Strongly agree 27% Overall agree 63% Somewhat agree 36 Somewhat disagree 14 Overall disagree 23% Strongly disagree 9 14 Sixty- three percent of respondents, either strongly or somewhat agree, that public funding of campaigns is the best way to reduce the possibility and the perception of corruption associated with large contributions. How much influence do you think contributions have in the political process? Very great influence 55% Some influence 37 Not much influence 3 No influence at all More than half (55%) of respondents agree that contributions have a very great influence in the political process. Thirty- seven percent agree that contributions have some influence. Which of the following do you think has the most influence over a candidate? A contribution from a corporation or labor union 67% A meeting with a lobbyist 17 Small contributions from average citizens 4 A meeting with a citizens group 3 Other 3 7 Nearly 70% of respondents agreed that a contribution from a corporation or a labor union would have the most influence over a candidate as compared with a meeting with a lobbyist (17%), a meeting with a citizens group (3%) or small contributions from average citizens (3%). 9

10 Polling If campaign finance reform were to drastically restrict contributions from businesses, how do you think that would impact legislation favorable to the business community? Negatively impact legislation favorable to the business community 35% No change to legislation favorable to the business community 27 Positively impact legislation favorable to the business community Just over a third agrees that if campaign finance reform were to drastically restrict contributions from businesses, legislation favorable to the business community would be negatively impacted. A little over a quarter agrees that there would be no change to legislation favorable to the business community. Nineteen percent feel it would have a positive impact and 20% are not sure. Would you support or oppose a system of campaign finance that encourages candidates to fund their campaigns through a broad base of small dollar donors? Strongly support 41% Overall support 82% Somewhat support 41 Somewhat oppose 5 Overall oppose 8% Strongly oppose 3 11 A system of campaign finance that encourages candidates to fund their campaigns through a broad base of smaller donors would be supported by 80% overall. Just 8% would oppose this system. Would you support or oppose creating a system of public campaign financing that gives citizens the incentive to give small dollar contributions? Strongly support 33% Overall support 72% Somewhat support 39 Somewhat oppose 8 Overall oppose 14% Strongly oppose 6 14 Creating a system of public campaign financing that gives citizens the incentive to give smaller dollar contributions are supported by 72%. Just 14% would oppose such a system. 10

11 Polling Would you support or oppose creating a voluntary system of campaign financing that matches small dollar contributions with public funds? Strongly support 17% Overall support 50% Somewhat support 33 Somewhat oppose 17 Overall oppose 37% Strongly oppose Overall half would now support creating a voluntary system of campaign financing that matches small dollar contributions with public funds. A full third would support the measure, with 17% in strong support, while another 17% would somewhat oppose. Just 20% would strongly oppose and 13% are unsure. 11

12 JZ Analytics Hybrid Survey of New York State Business Leaders 9/17/12 to 9/21/12 MOE +/- 5.7 percentage points 1. Do you work in New York State? Yes Title President or CEO Department head/vp/director/ Administration Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Chief Information Officer (CIO) Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Other Company officer with decision making responsibilities Which of the following best represents the size of your company or place of business? Fewer than 100 employees employees employees employees employees 1,000 or more employees How would you rate the job that Andrew Cuomo is doing as Governor? Excellent Good Fair Poor JZ Analytics LLC Page 1 9/27/2012

13 JZ Analytics Hybrid Survey of New York State Business Leaders 9/17/12 to 9/21/12 MOE +/- 5.7 percentage points 5. How would you describe the fiscal condition of New York State right now? Excellent Good Fair Poor Do you believe New York State is heading in the right direction or are things off on the wrong track? Right direction Wrong track When it comes to the way election campaigns are financed, do you think lobbyists and political donors have more influence than average voters? Yes No When it comes to the way election campaigns are financed, do you think we need to make minor changes, no changes or major changes in the way we finance election campaigns? Minor changes No changes Major changes JZ Analytics LLC Page 2 9/27/2012

14 JZ Analytics Hybrid Survey of New York State Business Leaders 9/17/12 to 9/21/12 MOE +/- 5.7 percentage points 9. Would you support creating a voluntary system of campaign financing that matches small dollar contributions with public funds? Missing Strongly Support Somewhat Support Somewhat Oppose Strongly Oppose Not Sure Right now, would you say elected officials in New York are looking out for the needs of everyone, or are they mostly concerned with the needs of those who finance their campaigns? Looking out for all New Yorkers More concerned with those who finance their campaigns Do you think the problems with the influence of money on politics in New York are getting worse, staying about the same, or getting better? Getting worse Staying the same Getting better In your opinion how much pressure is placed on corporate leaders to make political contributions? A lot Some Not very much None whatsoever JZ Analytics LLC Page 3 9/27/2012

15 JZ Analytics Hybrid Survey of New York State Business Leaders 9/17/12 to 9/21/12 MOE +/- 5.7 percentage points 13. Which of the following comes closest to your own opinion about why corporations and members of the business community contribute to political campaigns? Would you say it is...? To promote a certain ideological position To support the electoral process as part of its civic duty To gain access to influence the legislative process To avoid adverse legislative consequences None of the above Refuse Generally speaking, do you feel the level of pressure being placed on business leaders to make political contributions has increased, decreased, or stayed about the same since the last presidential election in 2008? Increased a lot Increased somewhat Stayed about the same Decreased somewhat Have you or your company made a campaign contribution in the 2010 or 2012 election cycle? Yes No JZ Analytics LLC Page 4 9/27/2012

16 JZ Analytics Hybrid Survey of New York State Business Leaders 9/17/12 to 9/21/12 MOE +/- 5.7 percentage points 16. Was the contribution to a candidate running in New York State? Missing Yes No Do you agree or disagree that there is a risk that a company's customers or shareholders would react negatively to news of its campaign contributions? Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Somewhat Disagree Strongly Disagree Not Sure Thinking about the public perception of corporations providing large political contributions to campaigns, what level of impact do you believe it has on business? Large impact Moderate impact Little impact No impact Thinking about the level of influence corporate donations have on election outcomes, do you believe corporate donations are a good or bad thing for the political process? Good Bad JZ Analytics LLC Page 5 9/27/2012

17 JZ Analytics Hybrid Survey of New York State Business Leaders 9/17/12 to 9/21/12 MOE +/- 5.7 percentage points 20. Do you agree or disagree that those that give the most money get the most from Albany? Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Somewhat Disagree Strongly Disagree Not Sure Would you support or oppose creating a system of voluntary public campaign financing in New York that would limit the size of political contributions that candidates can accept? Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Not Sure Do you agree or disagree that public funding of campaigns is the best way to reduce the possibility and the perception of corruption associated with large contributions? Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Somewhat Disagree Strongly Disagree Not Sure JZ Analytics LLC Page 6 9/27/2012

18 JZ Analytics Hybrid Survey of New York State Business Leaders 9/17/12 to 9/21/12 MOE +/- 5.7 percentage points 23. How much influence do you think contributions have in the political process? Very great influence Some influence Not much influence No influence at all Which of the following do you think has the most influence over a candidate? A contribution from a corporation or labor union Small contributions from average citizens A meeting with a lobbyist A meeting with a citizens' group Other If campaign finance reform were to drastically restrict contributions from businesses, how do you think that would impact legislation favorable to the business community? Negatively impact legislation favorable to the business community No change to legislation to the business community Positively impact legislation favorable to the business community JZ Analytics LLC Page 7 9/27/2012

19 JZ Analytics Hybrid Survey of New York State Business Leaders 9/17/12 to 9/21/12 MOE +/- 5.7 percentage points 26. Would you support or oppose a system of campaign finance that encourages candidates to fund their campaigns through a broad base of small dollar donors? Strongly Support Somewhat Support Somewhat Oppose Strongly Oppose Not Sure Would you support or oppose creating a system of public campaign financing that gives citizens the incentive to give small dollar contributions? Strongly Support Somewhat Support Somewhat Oppose Strongly Oppose Not Sure Would you support or oppose creating a voluntary system of campaign financing that matches small dollar contributions with public funds? Strongly Support Somewhat Support Somewhat Oppose Strongly Oppose Not Sure JZ Analytics LLC Page 8 9/27/2012

20 JZ Analytics Hybrid Survey of New York State Business Leaders 9/17/12 to 9/21/12 MOE +/- 5.7 percentage points 29. Which of the following best describes your current company industry? Advertising/Marketing Agriculture Consultant Construction Education/University Energy Financial Services Food services Healthcare Informational and Communication Technology Infrastructure Manufacturing of Large Items Manufacturing of Small Items Media Private Services Public Services Real Estate Retail Sales Tourism / Entertainment Not for Profit JZ Analytics LLC Page 9 9/27/2012