Governor of New York. Kathy Hochul Favorability and job approval ratings are at an all-time low, according to a new survey.
A statewide survey conducted last week at Siena College shows the Democratic governor’s approval rating is at 44%, a record low according to the pollster, while 50% of people disagree with Hochul’s performance as governor. Her favorability rating also stands at 38-49%, ranging from favorable to unfavorable.
The good news for Hochul is that a majority of voters in both parties support her decision to stop New York’s congestion pricing program, which would have imposed a greater toll burden on commuters in New York City. According to the poll, 45% of voters agree with her decision, while only 23% disagree, with 16% of voters standing in the middle.
“Despite strongly supporting Hochul’s decision to halt congestion fees, and even more strongly supporting the social media bill she supported, voters now give Hochul the lowest favorability and job approval ratings she’s had in nearly three years as governor,” Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg said in a statement.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is facing her lowest approval and favorability ratings ever, according to a new Siena College poll. (Probe-Media for Fox News Digital)
“Among Democrats, his favorability rating remains at a two-to-one ratio and his job approval rating is even stronger, however, 81% of Republicans and 61% of independents view him unfavorably, while 84% of Republicans and 63% of independents disapprove of his job as governor.”
The Siena College poll recorded President Biden’s lowest favorability rating ever in the Empire State, at 42%, and found him leading presumptive Republican nominee former President Trump by single digits, 47%-39%.
“While Biden has the support of three-quarters of Democrats, Trump has the backing of 85% of Republicans and Biden leads 45-28% with independent voters,” Greenberg said. “The gender divide has reopened as men support Trump 46-42% and women support Biden 51-33%. White voters are evenly split. And while Biden enjoys a commanding lead with non-white voters, Trump has the support of 29% of Black and 26% of Latino voters.”
“Two-thirds of voters say they plan to watch next week’s debate between Trump and Biden, the earliest general election presidential debate in memory. It remains to be seen what effect the debate will have on the race, but the last time a presidential election in New York was as close as it is now was 1988, when Democrat Michael Dukakis beat Republican George H.W. Bush by just four points, 52-48%. Ronald Reagan was the last Republican to win New York by eight points, 54-46%, in 1984.”
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A bipartisan majority of New York registered voters support New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision to suspend a congestion pricing plan that would have increased toll fees for New York City commuters by $15. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)
congestion pricing plan The program was set to begin on June 30, but earlier this month Hochul made the surprise decision to postpone it, reportedly due to concerns about voter anger in the upcoming election.
Hochul reaffirmed her “commitment to a greener, more sustainable future” in a speech announcing her decision on June 5, but she said the move is best left to “the little people.”
Stated goal of congestion pricing New York City The idea is to improve air quality and increase greenery by reducing traffic. House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., had asked Hochul to consider suspending the unpopular program as she works to regain a majority in the House in November, Politico reported.
Republicans regained a slight majority in the House two years ago, thanks in large part to several key congressional victories in New York.
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New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaks during the State of the State address on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, in Albany, New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The country’s first congestion pricing scheme was to be implemented as the number of transit riders in New York City has declined drastically due to public safety concerns. It received severe opposition from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, former President Trump, and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Under the transit authority’s plan, trucks would be charged either $24 or $36 per trip, depending on their size. In contrast, most drivers in private passenger cars would have to pay a flat rate of $100 per trip. Expect to pay around $15According to the proposal finalised in March, lower rates and late night entry will be allowed for motorcycles in the city.
Republican critics have called the plan a tax on commuters. However, left-wing activists criticized Hochul’s decision, saying it would deprive the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of needed funding.
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Suburban voters were the strongest group in support of Hochul’s decision to delay congestion pricing, supporting the move at 56%.
The Siena College survey included 805 registered voters from across New York state, contacted via landline, cell phone and online panel. The survey has a margin of error of 4.1%.
Fox News Digital’s Danielle Wallace contributed to this update.
