May 1, 2008

Gov's down in state, high in capital

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's up-and-down relationship with California voters is on a downward course again, a new statewide poll finds – but a poll in the Sacramento area finds the governor still receiving high marks.

The new statewide poll, conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California, found that his approval rating among California adults, which had hit 57 percent in December but dropped to 44 percent in March, is now down to 41 percent as worries about the state budget dominate voters’ consciousness.

Just 25 percent approve of his handling public education, the prime subject of the PPIC poll, down 11 points from a year earlier and his lowest mark on schools since PPIC began asking about it three years ago. Much of angst over his proposals to slash state spending has revolved about school financing, and education groups have mounted a stiff opposition campaign.

Sacramento area voters are also worried about education, a California State University, Sacramento, poll finds, as well as the budget and a host of other issues, including the economy. Nevertheless, 58 percent of the region's residents like how the Republican governor is handling his job, or at least they did when the polling was being conducted in February and March. But Sacramento area residents also give him sub-par marks on education and several other issues, despite his strong overall marks.

The PPIC survey is available here and the Sac State poll is accessible here.

Posted by Dan Walters on May 1, 2008 12:55 PM