New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's job favorability and approval ratings are at their lowest level ever recorded, according to a new poll.
A statewide Siena College poll conducted last week showed the Democratic governor's approval rating at 44%, a record low, according to the pollster, with 50% disapproving of Hochul's performance as governor. His favorability rating is also below 38-49%, from favorable to unfavorable.
The good news for Hochul is that a plurality of voters in both parties support his decision to stop New York's congestion pricing program, which would have inflicted higher toll rates on commuters to New York City. According to the survey, voters approve of his decision by 45%, compared to only 23% who disapprove, and 16% are in an intermediate position.
“Despite strongly supporting Hochul's decision to suspend congestion pricing, and even more strongly supporting the social media bill she championed, voters now give Hochul the lowest job approval and favorability ratings she has had in almost three years as governor,” said pollster Steven of Siena College. Greenberg said in a statement.
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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul faces all-time low approval and favorability ratings, according to a new Siena College poll. (Probe-Media for Fox News Digital)
“Among Democrats, she still has a two-to-one favorability rating and an even higher approval rating; however, 81% of Republicans and 61% of independents view her unfavorably, while 84% of “Republicans and 63% of independents disapprove of the job she is doing as governor.”
The Siena College poll also recorded the lowest favorability ever seen for President Biden in the Empire State, 42%, and found that he continues to lead former President Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, by single digits, 47%-39%.
“While Biden maintains the support of three-quarters of Democrats, Trump has the support of 85% of Republicans and leads Biden by 45% to 28% among independents,” Greenberg said. “A gender gap has reopened as men support Trump 46% to 42% and women favor Biden 51% to 33%. White voters are evenly divided. And while Biden has a dominant lead among non-white voters, Trump wins support from 29% of blacks and 26% of Latino voters.
“Two-thirds of voters say they plan to watch next week's debate between Trump and Biden, the first general election presidential debate in living memory. It remains to be seen what impact the debate has on the race, but the last time held the presidential election The closest it is now in New York was 1988, when Democrat Michael Dukakis beat Republican George HW Bush by just four points, 52-48% Ronald Reagan was the last Republican to win in New York (by. eight points, 54-46%).
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A bipartisan plurality of New York registered voters supports New York Governor Kathy Hochul's decision to suspend a congestion pricing plan that would increase toll rates to $15 for New York City commuters. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)
The congestion pricing scheme was scheduled to begin on June 30, but earlier this month Hochul made the surprising decision to suspend it, reportedly due to concerns about voter reaction in the upcoming election.
Hochul reaffirmed his “commitment to a greener, more sustainable future” in a speech announcing his decision on June 5, but said the move was better for “the little guy.”
The stated goal of congestion pricing in the Big Apple is to become greener by improving air quality and reducing traffic. Politico reported that House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., had asked Hochul to consider delaying the unpopular program as he works to capture the House majority in November.
The GOP managed to regain a slim majority in the House two years ago, largely due to several key Republican congressional victories in New York.
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New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaks during the State of the State address in Albany, New York, on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The nation's first congestion pricing plan was set to go into effect as New York City transit ridership has plummeted over public safety concerns. He had received severe backlash 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 subject to a fee of $24 or $36 per trip, depending on their size. On the contrary, most private car drivers should expect to pay about $15with lower rates for motorcycles and nighttime city entries, according to the proposal finalized in March.
Republican critics have called the plan a tax on travelers. However, left-wing activists criticized Hochul's decision, saying it would deprive the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of necessary funding.
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Suburban voters were the strongest group supporting Hochul's decision to delay congestion pricing, backing the measure by 56%.
The Siena College survey included 805 registered voters from across New York State contacted by landline, cell phone and through an online panel. The margin of error for the survey is 4.1%.
Fox News Digital's Danielle Wallace contributed to this update.
