Maurice Carroll, Director, Quinnipiac University Polling Institute (203) 582-5334 Rubenstein Associates, Inc.

Public Relations Contact: Pat Smith (212) 843- 2011 FOR RELEASE: OCTOBER 27,

VOTERS BACK WALL ST. PROTESTERS, MILLIONAIRES TAX, QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY NEW YORK STATE POLL FINDS; NEW YORKERS DIVIDED ON NATURAL GAS DRILLING
New York State voters agree 58 28 percent with the views of the Wall Street protesters, as 60 percent of voters understand the protesters views fairly well or very well, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Voters also back the Millionaires Tax more than 2-1, as even Republicans back the measure. Agreement with the protesters is 74 12 percent among Democrats and 57 30 percent among independent voters, while Republicans disagree 53 32 percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. A total of 63 percent of New York City voters understand the protesters very well or fairly well and agreement is 66 22 percent. Understanding is 58 percent among suburban voters, with agreement at 50 36 percent. Understanding is 56 percent among upstate voters with agreement at 54 30 percent. By an overwhelming 82 13 percent, New York State voters say its OK that they are protesting. Republicans support the right to protest 71 22 percent, with strong agreement among all groups in all regions. Extend the Millionaires Tax, New York State voters say 66 26 percent, with 57 34 percent support among Republicans and stronger support among other political, gender, racial, income, education, age and regional groups. Voters making more than $100,000 per year back the tax 66 28 percent. Most New Yorkers, even upstaters and suburban voters, say they get the Wall Street protesters message, Carroll said. And by 2-1, voters agree with the complaints about bankers and Wall Streeters, said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. Agree or not, four out of five voters endorse the protesters right to protest. -more-

Quinnipiac University Poll/October 27, 2011 page 2 Theres wide approval for the one specific message thats being heard Downtown support for a continued state Millionaires Tax, Carroll added. New York State voters are divided on drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale as 44 percent support drilling because of the economic benefits while 43 percent oppose drilling because of environmental concerns. Todays results compare to 47 42 percent support for drilling in an August 11 Quinnipiac University survey and 45 41 percent support September 21. Today, Republicans support drilling 66 23 percent while Democrats oppose it 55 33 percent, with independent voters split 44 44 percent. Upstate voters split 45 45 percent and New York City voters are divided with 43 percent against drilling and 41 percent for drilling. Suburban voters support drilling 48 41 percent. Voters agree 73 19 percent that drilling will create jobs and support 55 32 percent a new tax on companies drilling for natural gas. Republicans are divided on the tax 45 45 percent. New York State voters say 50 14 percent, with 35 percent undecided, that hydrofracking will damage the environment. When it comes to natural gas drilling, some New Yorkers have been thinking green as in trees and some think green as in dollar bills, Carroll said. Modest support for drilling in our first poll in August has given way to an evenly divided public opinion on what promises to be a hotly-debated issue. There is agreement on the arguments from both sides: Will it help the economy? Yes. Will it endanger the environment? Yes. With a big upstate-downstate split, New York State voters oppose 51 42 percent providing additional state support for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. New York City voters want more state aid 55 42 percent. Suburban voters oppose more aid 51 44 percent, and upstate voters say no 59 30 percent. Keep the MTA payroll tax levied on city and suburban employers, 45 percent of voters statewide say, while 11 percent want to increase it; 9 percent want to decrease it and 24 percent want to eliminate it. From October 18 24, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,540 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones. The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia and the nation as a public service and for research.

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18. Some people say there should be drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale because of the economic benefits. Others say there should not be drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale because of the environmental impact. Which comes closer to your point of view? Tot Drilling No drilling DK/NA 44% 43 12 Rep 66% 23 11 Dem 33% 55 12 Ind 44% 44 12 Men 50% 40 9 Wom 39% 46 15 Wht 46% 42 12 Blk 41% 45 14

UpStat NYC Drilling No drilling DK/NA 45% 45 10 41% 43 16

Sub 48% 41 11

Union COL DEGREE HsHlds No Yes 38% 49 12 47% 40 14 41% 50 10

HEARD OF FRACKING Q21 Yes No 42% 50 8 47% 36 17

AGE IN YEARS............ 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Drilling No drilling DK/NA 44% 47 8 46% 40 14 46% 45 9 41% 43 16

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 44% 43 12 44% 46 10 44% 44 12 50% 43 7

TREND: Some people say there should be drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale because of the economic benefits. Others say there should not be drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale because of the environmental impact. Which comes closer to your point of view? Oct 27 2011 Drilling No drilling DK/NA 44 43 12 Sep 21 2011 45 41 13 Aug 11 2011 47 42 12

19. Do you support or oppose a new tax on companies drilling for natural gas in the state's Marcellus Shale? Tot Support Oppose DK/NA 55% 32 13 Rep 45% 45 10 Dem 65% 22 13 Ind 55% 32 13 Men 56% 33 10 Wom 54% 32 15 Wht 56% 33 12 Blk 58% 33 9

UpStat NYC Support Oppose DK/NA 55% 33 12 56% 31 13

Sub 53% 34 13

Union COL DEGREE HsHlds No Yes 60% 29 11 50% 36 15 64% 27 9

HEARD OF FRACKING Q21 Yes No 61% 30 9 49% 36 15

AGE IN YEARS............ 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Support Oppose DK/NA 58% 34 8 57% 32 11 58% 31 11 49% 32 19

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 50% 34 17 58% 33 9 61% 30 9 63% 27 9

TREND: Do you support or oppose a new tax on companies drilling for natural gas in the state's Marcellus Shale? Oct 27 2011 Support Oppose DK/NA 55 32 13 Sep 21 2011 51 36 12 Aug 11 2011 59 29 12

20. Do you think that drilling for natural gas in the state's Marcellus Shale will create jobs or not? Tot Yes No DK/NA 73% 19 9 Rep 82% 11 6 Dem 65% 24 10 Ind 74% 18 7 Men 77% 18 5 Wom 69% 19 12 Wht 76% 16 8 Blk 65% 26 8

UpStat NYC Yes No DK/NA 75% 18 7 70% 20 10

Sub 73% 17 10

Union COL DEGREE HsHlds No Yes 71% 21 8 73% 18 9 73% 20 7

HEARD OF FRACKING Q21 Yes No 75% 19 6 71% 19 10

AGE IN YEARS............ 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Yes No DK/NA 73% 17 10 70% 24 6 74% 19 6 73% 15 12

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 66% 21 12 79% 19 2 75% 17 8 76% 20 5

TREND: Do you think that drilling for natural gas in the state's Marcellus Shale will create jobs or not? Oct 27 2011 Yes No DK/NA 73 19 9 Sep 21 2011 74 19 7 Aug 11 2011 75 17 8

21. Have you heard or read anything about hydro-fracking? Tot Yes No DK/NA 54% 44 2 Rep 62% 37 1 Dem 46% 52 2 Sub 45% 53 2 Ind 59% 40 1 Men 67% 31 2 Wom 43% 56 1 Wht 65% 34 1 Blk 22% 77 1

UpStat NYC Yes No DK/NA Contd 74% 25 1 39% 59 2

Union COL DEGREE HsHlds No Yes 59% 40 1 47% 51 2 65% 34 1

21. (contd) Have you heard or read anything about hydro-fracking? AGE IN YEARS............ 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Yes No DK/NA 43% 57 1 56% 43 1 62% 37 1 54% 43 3 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 36% 62 2 59% 41 1 62% 36 2 65% 34 1

TREND: Have you heard or read anything about hydro-fracking? Oct 27 2011 Yes No DK/NA 54 44 2 Sep 21 2011 53 46 1 Aug 11 2011 57 42 1

22. Natural gas drilling companies want to practice hydro-fracking in New York State. Hydro-fracking is the process of pumping water and chemicals into the ground under high pressure to fracture rocks. This releases natural gas trapped in the rocks which is then collected. Do you think hydro-fracking will cause environmental damage or not, or don't you know? Tot Yes/Will damage No/Won't damage Don't Know REFUSED 50% 14 35 1 Rep 30% 26 44 Dem 60% 7 32 1 Ind 51% 15 33 1 Men 46% 21 32 1 Wom 54% 9 38 Wht 48% 16 35 1 Blk 52% 7 41 -

UpStat NYC Yes/Will damage No/Won't damage Don't Know REFUSED 49% 18 32 1 53% 10 37 -

Sub 46% 16 37 -

Union COL DEGREE HsHlds No Yes 58% 13 29 47% 15 37 1 54% 14 31 1

HEARD OF FRACKING Q21 Yes No 55% 21 23 1 44% 7 49 -

AGE IN YEARS............ 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Yes/Will damage No/Won't damage Don't Know REFUSED 49% 15 35 2 51% 16 33 51% 16 32 45% 12 43 -

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 50% 13 36 1 51% 12 35 2 52% 16 31 46% 20 34 -

TREND: Natural gas drilling companies want to practice hydro-fracking in New York State. Hydro-fracking is the process of pumping water and chemicals into the ground under high pressure to fracture rocks. This releases natural gas trapped in the rocks which is then collected. Do you think hydro-fracking will cause environmental damage or not, or don't you know? Oct 27 2011 Yes/Will damage No/Won't damage Don't Know REFUSED 50 14 35 1 Sep 21 2011 51 13 35 Aug 11 2011 52 15 33 -

27. As you may know the MTA is the agency which provides rail and bus service in the New York Metropolitan area. Do you think the state government should provide additional funds to the MTA, or not? Tot Yes No DK/NA 42% 51 7 Rep 29% 64 7 Dem 52% 42 6 Sub 44% 51 6 Ind 41% 51 8 Men 41% 52 7 Wom 44% 50 7 Wht 37% 55 8 Blk 61% 39 -

UpStat NYC Yes No DK/NA 30% 59 11 55% 42 3

Union COL DEGREE HsHlds No Yes 39% 55 6 41% 53 6 45% 47 8

AGE IN YEARS............ 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Yes No DK/NA 48% 47 5 39% 56 5 43% 51 6 41% 49 10

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 51% 43 6 43% 52 5 38% 54 7 41% 53 7

TREND: As you may know the MTA is the agency which provides rail and bus service in the New York Metropolitan area. Do you think the state government should provide additional funds to the MTA, or not? Oct 27 2011 Yes No DK/NA 42 51 7 Aug 11 2011 44 48 8

28. Currently, employers in New York City and the suburban areas served by the MTA pay a special tax to help the transit agency. Do you think that tax should be increased, remain the same, decreased, or eliminated? Tot Increased Remain the same Decreased Eliminated DK/NA 11% 45 9 24 11 Rep 9% 44 6 29 12 Dem 15% 48 9 16 12 Sub 6% 44 6 35 9 Ind 9% 44 10 27 10 Men 12% 42 9 26 10 Wom 10% 47 8 22 12 Wht 12% 44 7 24 13 Blk 11% 51 10 25 2

UpStat NYC Increased Remain the same Decreased Eliminated DK/NA 15% 45 7 17 16 11% 46 11 24 8

Union COL DEGREE HsHlds No Yes 10% 46 6 30 8 10% 45 10 25 11 14% 45 6 23 12

Contd

28. (contd) Currently, employers in New York City and the suburban areas served by the MTA pay a special tax to help the transit agency. Do you think that tax should be increased, remain the same, decreased, or eliminated? AGE IN YEARS............ 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Increased Remain the same Decreased Eliminated DK/NA 11% 51 12 20 6 9% 48 8 27 8 13% 41 8 28 10 10% 44 7 20 18 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 11% 42 15 20 12 12% 53 4 22 10 10% 46 7 26 10 11% 46 6 26 11

TREND: Currently, employers in New York City and the suburban areas served by the MTA pay a special tax to help the transit agency. Do you think that tax should be increased, remain the same, decreased, or eliminated? Oct 27 2011 Increased Remain the same Decreased Eliminated DK/NA 11 45 9 24 11 Aug 11 2011 13 42 10 26 9

29. How closely have you been following news about the Wall Street protests - Would you say you have been following it very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all? Tot Very closely Smwht closely Not too closely Not at all DK/NA 24% 47 19 9 1 Rep 24% 46 20 10 Dem 21% 47 21 9 2 Ind 27% 51 14 8 Men 31% 47 17 6 Wom 19% 47 21 12 1 Wht 23% 50 19 8 Blk 24% 39 21 16 -

UpStat NYC Very closely Smwht closely Not too closely Not at all DK/NA 18% 47 25 10 28% 44 17 10 1

Sub 30% 50 14 5 -

Union COL DEGREE HsHlds No Yes 27% 48 18 7 21% 44 22 12 1 31% 51 14 3 -

UNDRSTND OWS Q30 VryFrly Well Not Well 33% 55 10 1 12% 35 32 20 1

AGE IN YEARS............ 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Very closely Smwht closely Not too closely Not at all DK/NA 17% 46 19 19 22% 46 21 11 30% 48 18 4 27% 45 19 6 3

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 16% 42 28 13 1 22% 49 19 10 23% 52 17 8 36% 47 14 2 -

30. How well do you feel you understand the views of the Wall Street protesters? understand them very well, fairly well, not too well or not well at all? Tot Very well Fairly well Not too well Not well at all DK/NA 22% 38 21 18 2 Rep 17% 30 25 26 3 Dem 21% 41 24 13 1 Sub 23% 35 20 18 4 Ind 25% 40 16 18 2 Men 27% 36 19 15 3 Wom 17% 39 23 20 2 Wht 18% 39 20 20 3 Blk 26% 36 24 14 -

Do you

UpStat NYC Very well Fairly well Not too well Not well at all DK/NA 15% 41 23 18 2 28% 35 20 17 1

Union COL DEGREE HsHlds No Yes 23% 40 20 15 1 19% 34 24 21 3 25% 44 17 13 1

AGE IN YEARS............ 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Very well Fairly well Not too well Not well at all DK/NA 24% 37 17 20 1 21% 37 21 20 1 21% 44 20 13 1 18% 33 26 20 4

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 17% 34 29 18 3 17% 44 14 23 2 23% 41 20 15 1 29% 39 15 15 1

31. Regardless of how you feel about the Wall Street protests, do you generally agree or disagree with the protesters' views? Tot Agree Disagree DK/NA 58% 28 14 Rep 32% 53 15 Dem 74% 12 14 Ind 57% 30 13 Men 57% 34 9 Wom 58% 23 19 Wht 51% 33 15 Blk 80% 13 6

UpStat NYC Agree Disagree DK/NA 54% 30 16 66% 22 12

Sub 50% 36 15

Union COL DEGREE HsHlds No Yes 62% 27 12 54% 29 16 63% 26 10

UNDRSTND OWS Q30 VryFrly Well Not Well 74% 22 4 34% 37 29

AGE IN YEARS............ 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Agree Disagree DK/NA 60% 25 16 59% 29 12 60% 29 11 52% 31 17

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 61% 23 16 58% 29 13 59% 29 13 59% 34 7

32. And regardless of how you feel about the views of the Wall Street protesters, do you think it is OK that they are protesting, or do you think they should not be protesting? Tot OK to protest Shld not protest DK/NA 82% 13 5 Rep 71% 22 7 Dem 86% 10 4 Ind 84% 12 4 Men 86% 10 3 Wom 77% 16 7 Wht 80% 15 5 Blk 88% 8 4

UpStat NYC OK to protest Shld not protest DK/NA 82% 13 5 82% 13 5

Sub 80% 14 6

Union COL DEGREE HsHlds No Yes 88% 10 2 77% 16 7 88% 10 2

UNDRSTND OWS Q30 VryFrly Well Not Well 90% 9 1 70% 20 11

AGE IN YEARS............ 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ OK to protest Shld not protest DK/NA 79% 12 10 86% 11 3 86% 11 3 73% 20 7

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 77% 16 7 84% 14 2 86% 11 3 88% 10 1

33. As you may know, New York State's so called "millionaires' tax" is set to expire in December. Do you think the state should extend the millionaires' tax or end the millionaires' tax? Tot Extend tax End the tax DK/NA 66% 26 8 Rep 57% 34 9 Dem 72% 20 9 Ind 68% 24 8 Men 64% 30 6 Wom 68% 22 11 Wht 66% 26 8 Blk 65% 30 5

UpStat NYC Extend tax End the tax DK/NA 68% 24 9 66% 24 9

Sub 62% 31 7

Union COL DEGREE HsHlds No Yes 68% 24 8 63% 28 9 71% 22 7

UNDRSTND OWS Q30 VryFrly Well Not Well 70% 25 5 60% 27 13

AGE IN YEARS............ 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Extend tax End the tax DK/NA 64% 30 6 66% 24 10 69% 25 6 65% 24 11

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 63% 25 12 73% 22 5 68% 25 7 66% 28 6

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