Gov. Rick Scott is getting an even bigger thumbs down from Florida voters as 57 percent now disapprove of the job he is doing, up from 48 percent who disapproved in an April 6 survey, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released on Wednesday.
Florida voters by 54 – 29 percent tell the independent Quinnipiac the new budget which Scott plans to sign tomorrow, is unfair to people like them. Scott and the State Legislature are equally responsible for the budget, 68 percent of voters say. But the Legislature fairs no better than Scott, as voters disapprove 56 – 27 percent of the job they are doing, compared to 47 – 35 percent disapproval in April.
Voter say that despite the new property insurance law signed by Scott, securing insurance is getting harder and more expensive.
“Voters have turned even more negative on Gov. Rick Scott since the last Quinnipiac University survey,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “It probably doesn’t make him feel any better that the State Legislature is sharing the basement suite in the eyes of the electorate. The good news for the governor is that he has three and a half years to turn public opinion around. ”
Even among Republicans, Scott’s support is weak, with 51 percent of GOP voters approving and 37 percent disapproving of his job performance. Among Democrats, Scott’s disapproval is 72 – 13 percent and 57 – 28 percent among independent voters.
“The data on the perceived fairness of the governor’s budget is crucial. When voters by almost 2-1 say his approach is unfair to them, that’s a giant flashing political warning sign for Scott,” said Brown. “When voters don’t think they are being treated fairly, they tend to react negatively.”
By 68 – 18, Democrats say the budget is unfair, and independent voters say unfair 52 – 30 percent, while Republicans say it is fair, 47 – 38 percent.
Forty-seven (47%) percent of Florida voters say that budget spending cuts got too far, while 18 percent say not far enough and 22 percent say they are about right. By 38 – 23 percent voters think those cuts will hurt, rather than help, Florida’s economy.
On insurance, 74 percent say property insurance is getting more expensive in Florida, as 3 percent say it is getting less expensive and 16 percent say there has been no change.
The Quinnipiac University poll was conducted between May 17 – 23, and surveyed 1,196 registered voters with a margin of error of +/-2.8 percent points.
