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

Public Relations Contact: Pat Smith (212) 843- 2012 FOR RELEASE: DECEMBER 13,

PLEASE NOTE: EMBARGOED FOR WIRE RELEASE UNTIL 6:00 AM DECEMBER 13

STRICTER CODES NEEDED FOR SEASHORE REBUILDING, NEW YORK STATE VOTERS TELL QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY POLL; CUOMO GETS MIXED GRADES ON NATURAL GAS DRILLING
Stricter building codes should be imposed before owners are allowed to rebuild homes or businesses destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, 65 percent of New York State voters say in a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Another 23 percent say owners should be allowed to rebuild property as it was before the storm, but 8 percent say there should be no rebuilding. Support for stricter codes is 67 percent on Long Island and 68 percent in New York City, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. A total of 74 percent of New York State voters are very concerned or somewhat concerned about climate change and a total of 67 percent of voters say it is very likely or somewhat likely their community will be hit in the next 10 years by a storm as bad as Sandy. But voters say 50 45 percent that Sandys severity was not the result of climate change. Denying the climate change case are Republicans 83 15 percent and independent voters 53 41 percent. Democrats believe climate change caused Sandy 64 31 percent. Men deny it 54 41 percent, while women believe it by a narrow 49 46 percent. Voters with college degrees believe it 50 45 percent while voters without degrees deny it 53 43 percent. The clean-up after Sandy: Most New York State voters say there should be tougher building standards, said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. Voters on Long Island and in New York City, the areas hardest hit, support stricter codes. Therell be more storms like Sandy, most voters say, but most dont blame climate change. Click here for a downloadable video of Quinnipiac Universitys Maurice Carroll discussing Gov. Cuomo, the New York State Senate, corruption and other issues. -more-

Quinnipiac University Poll/December 13, 2012 page 2 New York State voters say 51 44 percent that marijuana use should be made legal in the state. Men support legalization 56 41 percent while women are divided 47 46 percent. Support is 62 34 percent among voters 18 to 29 years old, dropping through the age groups. Voters over 65 years old oppose legalization 56 37 percent, the only age group opposed. Drilling for natural gas continues to divide voters, with 44 percent in favor because of economic benefits and 42 percent opposed because of environmental concerns. Voters support 54 32 percent a tax on gas drilling companies and believe 78 15 percent that drilling will create jobs. Hydro-fracking will damage the environment, voters say 50 17 percent. Gov. Andrew Cuomo is carefully evaluating the issue of hydro-fracking, 26 percent of voters say, but 25 percent say the governor is dragging his feet to avoid making a decision. Another 44 percent are undecided. New York State voters support 80 18 percent, including 61 38 percent among Republicans, raising the minimum wage. Support is strong among all groups. Offered several choices: 43 percent say raise the minimum wage to more than $8.50 per hour; 28 percent say raise the wage to $8.50 per hour; 6 percent say raise the current $7.25 per hour minimum wage to something less than $8.50; 18 percent oppose any increase. By a narrow 49 44 percent margin, voters do not believe small businesses will reduce hiring if the minimum wage is increased. Approval of natural gas drilling is a stand-off. A lot of New Yorkers still think it would bring jobs. A lot although fewer think it would damage the environment, Carroll said. Voters split over whether Gov. Andrew Cuomo is giving the politically touchy issue careful study or just dragging his feet. From December 5 10, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,302 New York State voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 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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11. 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 Allow drilling No drilling DK/NA 44% 42 15 Rep 70% 17 13 Dem 29% 55 16 Ind 48% 41 11 Men 48% 41 11 Wom 40% 42 17 Wht 51% 38 12 Blk 26% 50 23

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Allow drilling No drilling DK/NA 41% 50 9 45% 37 18

ANNUAL HSHOLD INC <50K 50-100 >100K 40% 40 20 50% 44 7 47% 44 9

AGE IN YRS.............. 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ 42% 46 12 42% 46 13 47% 41 12 42% 35 23

UpStat NYC Allow drilling No drilling DK/NA 48% 39 13 33% 49 17

Sub 54% 34 12

HEARD OF FRACKING Q14 Yes No 44% 48 9 44% 30 26

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? DRILLING...... High Low Dec 13 Sep 12 Jul 26 Dec 21 Oct 27 Aug 11 Jul 26 2012 2012 2012 2011 2011 2011 2012 Drilling No drilling DK/NA 44 42 15 45 41 13 43 44 13 44 45 11 44 43 12 47 42 12 43 44 13

12. 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 54% 32 14 Rep 41% 48 11 Dem 61% 24 16 Ind 58% 31 11 Men 54% 37 9 Wom 54% 28 17 Wht 53% 34 13 Blk 62% 22 16

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Support Oppose DK/NA 59% 30 11 52% 33 15

ANNUAL HSHOLD INC <50K 50-100 >100K 54% 32 15 59% 33 8 57% 31 12

AGE IN YRS.............. 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ 58% 32 10 62% 30 8 55% 33 12 43% 33 23

UpStat NYC Support Oppose DK/NA 52% 34 14 58% 28 14

Sub 52% 35 13

HEARD OF FRACKING Q14 Yes No 58% 31 10 47% 34 19

TREND: Do you support or oppose a new tax on companies drilling for natural gas in the state's Marcellus Shale? SUPPORT........ High Low Dec 13 Sep 12 Jul 26 Dec 21 Oct 27 Aug 11 Jul 26 2012 2012 2012 2011 2011 2011 2012 Support Oppose DK/NA 54 32 14 51 34 15 47 39 14 57 31 12 55 32 13 59 29 12 47 39 14

13. Do you think that drilling for natural gas in the state's Marcellus Shale will create jobs or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes No DK/NA 78% 15 8 88% 7 4 71% 20 9 80% 13 7 81% 14 6 75% 16 9 81% 13 6 68% 21 11

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Yes No DK/NA 77% 17 6 78% 14 8

ANNUAL HSHOLD INC <50K 50-100 >100K 74% 16 10 81% 15 4 81% 14 6

AGE IN YRS.............. 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ 87% 10 3 78% 16 5 77% 15 8 72% 16 12

UpStat NYC Yes No DK/NA 78% 15 7 73% 18 9

Sub 84% 10 5

HEARD OF FRACKING Q14 Yes No 76% 18 6 81% 9 10

TREND: Do you think that drilling for natural gas in the state's Marcellus Shale will create jobs or not? YES........... High Low Dec 13 Sep 12 Jul 26 Dec 21 Oct 27 Sep 12 Oct 27 2012 2012 2012 2011 2011 2012 2011 Yes No DK/NA 78 15 8 81 12 7 75 17 8 75 18 7 73 19 9 81 12 7 73 19 9

14. Have you heard or read anything about hydro-fracking? Tot Yes No DK/NA 66% 33 1 Rep 74% 26 Dem 59% 40 1 Ind 75% 25 Men 74% 26 Wom 60% 39 1 Wht 76% 24 Blk 42% 58 1

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Yes No DK/NA Contd 77% 23 60% 39 -

ANNUAL HSHOLD INC <50K 50-100 >100K 58% 42 73% 27 79% 20 1

AGE IN YRS.............. 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ 48% 52 67% 33 75% 25 65% 34 1

14. (contd) Have you heard or read anything about hydro-fracking? UpStat NYC Yes No DK/NA 83% 17 54% 45 1 Sub 58% 41 1

TREND: Have you heard or read anything about hydro-fracking? Dec 13 2012 Yes No DK/NA 66 33 1 Sep 12 2012 65 34 1 Jul 26 2012 62 37 1 Dec 21 2011 59 39 1 Oct 27 2011 54 44 2 Sep 21 2011 53 46 1 Aug 11 2011 57 42 1

15. 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% 17 33 Rep 25% 33 42 Dem 61% 6 32 1 Ind 54% 18 27 Men 45% 25 30 Wom 55% 10 35 1 Wht 48% 21 30 Blk 51% 4 44 1

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Yes/Will damage No/Won't Damage Don't Know REFUSED 56% 16 28 47% 17 35 -

ANNUAL HSHOLD INC <50K 50-100 >100K 52% 14 34 51% 20 29 52% 19 28 -

AGE IN YRS.............. 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ 62% 12 26 54% 17 29 48% 19 32 41% 15 43 -

UpStat NYC Yes/Will damage No/Won't Damage Don't Know REFUSED 50% 20 30 54% 13 31 1

Sub 44% 16 40 -

HEARD OF FRACKING Q14 Yes No 55% 20 25 42% 10 48 1

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? Dec 13 Sep 12 Jul 26 Dec 21 Oct 27 Sep 21 Aug 11 2012 2012 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 Yes/Will damage No/Won't damage Don't Know REFUSED 50 17 33 48 14 37 1 53 12 34 1 55 13 31 1 50 14 35 1 51 13 35 52 15 33 -

16. Which comes closer to your point of view; Governor Cuomo is carefully evaluating the issue of hydro-fracking, or Governor Cuomo is dragging his feet and trying to avoid making a decision on the issue of hydro-fracking, or don't you have an opinion on that? Tot Carefully evaluating 26% Dragging his feet 25 No opinion 44 DK/NA 4 Rep 17% 38 39 5 Dem 29% 17 49 5 Ind 31% 26 40 3 Men 27% 31 38 3 Wom 26% 20 49 5 Wht 28% 28 40 4 Blk 25% 12 56 7

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Carefully evaluating 27% Dragging his feet 30 No opinion 40 DK/NA 3 26% 22 47 5

ANNUAL HSHOLD INC <50K 50-100 >100K 26% 22 48 4 29% 27 41 3 26% 31 40 3

AGE IN YRS.............. 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ 20% 17 60 2 27% 29 42 3 29% 26 40 5 27% 24 43 5

UpStat NYC Carefully evaluating 29% Dragging his feet 30 No opinion 36 DK/NA 4 26% 22 47 5

Sub 22% 21 53 4

HEARD OF FRACKING Q14 Yes No 31% 33 33 3 17% 10 67 6

17. Would you support or oppose raising the minimum wage in New York State, which is now $7.25 an hour? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support Oppose DK/NA 80% 18 1 61% 38 1 93% 5 2 78% 21 1 73% 26 1 87% 12 1 75% 23 1 96% 3 1

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Support Oppose DK/NA 77% 22 1 83% 16 1

ANNUAL HSHOLD INC <50K 50-100 >100K 85% 13 2 Sub 82% 16 2 80% 19 1 74% 25 1

AGE IN YRS.............. 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ 85% 14 1 77% 21 2 81% 19 1 79% 18 3

UpStat NYC Support Oppose DK/NA 74% 25 1 86% 13 1

TREND: Would you support or oppose raising the minimum wage in New York State, which is now $7.25 an hour? Dec 13 2012 Support Oppose DK/NA 80 18 1 May 30 2012 79 18 2 Apr 04 2012 78 20 3

18. (If support q17) Do you think that the minimum wage should be $8.50 an hour, should be less than $8.50 an hour, or should be more than $8.50 an hour? SUPPORTS INCREASE Q17...................................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Exactly $8.50 Less than $8.50 More than $8.50 DK/NA 35% 7 54 3 41% 10 46 3 30% 5 62 4 44% 11 42 3 34% 8 55 2 36% 7 53 4 40% 10 46 3 19% 2 76 2

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Exactly $8.50 Less than $8.50 More than $8.50 DK/NA 37% 9 51 4 35% 7 56 3

ANNUAL HSHOLD INC <50K 50-100 >100K 33% 6 58 4 Sub 39% 8 52 1 39% 7 51 3 41% 10 47 2

AGE IN YRS.............. 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ 49% 8 38 5 30% 9 60 1 32% 8 59 1 37% 5 50 7

UpStat NYC Exactly $8.50 Less than $8.50 More than $8.50 DK/NA 41% 13 42 5 28% 2 66 4

TREND: (If support) Do you think that the minimum wage should be $8.50 an hour, should be less than $8.50 an hour, or should be more than $8.50 an hour? SUPPORT INCREASE...... Dec 13 May 30 Apr 04 2012 2012 2012 Exactly $8.50 Less than $8.50 More than $8.50 DK/NA 35 7 54 3 40 7 50 2 37 8 52 3

18a. (COMBINED Q17 & Q18)Would you support or oppose raising the minimum wage in New York State, which is now $7.25 an hour? IF SUPPORT: Do you think that the minimum wage should be $8.50 an hour, should be less than $8.50 an hour, or should be more than $8.50 an hour? Tot Increase to $8.50 Increase < $8.50 Increase > $8.50 Oppose increase DK/NA 28% 6 43 18 4 Rep 25% 6 28 38 3 Dem 28% 4 58 5 5 Ind 34% 9 33 21 4 Men 25% 6 40 26 3 Wom 31% 6 46 12 5 Wht 30% 8 35 23 4 Blk 19% 2 73 3 3

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Increase to $8.50 Increase < $8.50 Increase > $8.50 Oppose increase DK/NA Contd 28% 7 39 22 4 28% 6 46 16 4

ANNUAL HSHOLD INC <50K 50-100 >100K 28% 5 49 13 5 31% 6 41 19 3 30% 8 35 25 3

AGE IN YRS.............. 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ 42% 7 32 14 5 23% 7 46 21 3 26% 6 48 19 2 30% 4 40 18 8

18a. (contd) (COMBINED Q17 & Q18)Would you support or oppose raising the minimum wage in New York State, which is now $7.25 an hour? IF SUPPORT: Do you think that the minimum wage should be $8.50 an hour, should be less than $8.50 an hour, or should be more than $8.50 an hour? UpStat NYC Increase to $8.50 Increase < $8.50 Increase > $8.50 Oppose increase DK/NA 30% 9 31 25 5 24% 2 57 13 4 Sub 32% 7 42 16 3

TREND: (COMBINED)Would you support or oppose raising the minimum wage in New York State, which is now $7.25 an hour? IF SUPPORT: Do you think that the minimum wage should be $8.50 an hour, should be less than $8.50 an hour, or should be more than $8.50 an hour? Dec 13 2012 Increase to $8.50 Increase < $8.50 Increase > $8.50 Oppose increase DK/NA 28 6 43 18 4 May 30 2012 32 6 40 18 4 Apr 04 2012 29 6 41 20 5

19. Do you think small businesses will reduce the number of people they hire if the minimum wage is raised, or don't you think so? Tot Yes No DK/NA 44% 49 7 Rep 58% 35 6 Dem 34% 58 8 Ind 46% 46 7 Men 43% 51 6 Wom 45% 47 9 Wht 43% 50 7 Blk 44% 47 10

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Yes No DK/NA 41% 55 4 46% 45 9

ANNUAL HSHOLD INC <50K 50-100 >100K 44% 48 9 Sub 41% 51 8 42% 53 5 42% 54 4

AGE IN YRS.............. 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ 52% 45 3 46% 48 5 43% 52 6 38% 48 14

UpStat NYC Yes No DK/NA 48% 46 7 41% 51 8

TREND: Do you think small businesses will reduce the number of people they hire if the minimum wage is raised, or don't you think so? Dec 13 2012 Yes No DK/NA 44 49 7 May 30 2012 41 51 8 Apr 04 2012 41 51 8

25. If a home or business was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, do you think: A) The owner should be prevented from ever building on that site again, as long as they are reimbursed, or B) The owner should be allowed to build with stricter building codes to protect the property against future storms, or C) The owner should be allowed to rebuild their property as it was before? Tot A)Prevent rebuilding 8% B)Allow w/new codes 65 C)Allow as before 23 DK/NA 4 Rep 8% 58 31 3 Dem 8% 69 19 4 Ind 7% 67 23 3 Men 9% 62 26 3 Wom 7% 68 21 4 Wht 7% 65 25 3 Blk 12% 66 17 5

COLLEGE DEG Yes No A)Prevent rebuilding 6% B)Allow w/new codes 70 C)Allow as before 20 DK/NA 4 9% 63 25 4

ANNUAL HSHOLD INC <50K 50-100 >100K 9% 62 25 3 5% 74 19 2 9% 66 22 3

AGE IN YRS.............. 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ 5% 62 32 1 9% 65 24 2 7% 67 22 4 10% 65 18 7

UpStat NYC A)Prevent rebuilding 7% B)Allow w/new codes 61 C)Allow as before 29 DK/NA 3 9% 68 19 4

SUBURBS...... Tot LongIsl 7% 67 21 5 7% 67 21 5

26. How concerned are you about global warming or climate change; very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not concerned at all? Tot Very concerned Smwht concerned Not too concerned Not concerned DK/NA 44% 30 13 13 Rep 12% 32 25 31 Dem 65% 25 6 4 1 Ind 39% 35 15 11 Men 41% 27 13 18 Wom 47% 32 13 8 Wht 37% 32 16 15 Blk 73% 19 4 4 -

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Very concerned Smwht concerned Not too concerned Not concerned DK/NA 53% 25 11 11 1 40% 33 14 13 -

ANNUAL HSHOLD INC <50K 50-100 >100K 48% 33 9 11 41% 29 15 15 43% 28 16 12 -

AGE IN YRS.............. 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ 42% 28 15 15 46% 27 15 12 45% 31 12 12 1 44% 31 12 13 -

UpStat NYC Very concerned Smwht concerned Not too concerned Not concerned DK/NA 35% 34 17 14 58% 25 7 8 1

SUBURBS...... Tot LongIsl 37% 30 17 16 40% 27 18 15 -

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27. Do you think the severity of Hurricane Sandy was most likely the result of global climate change, or is it just the kind of severe weather event that happens from time to time? Tot Climate change Don't think so DK/NA 45% 50 5 Rep 15% 83 2 Dem 64% 31 5 Ind 41% 53 5 Men 41% 54 4 Wom 49% 46 5 Wht 38% 57 5 Blk 65% 30 5

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Climate change Don't think so DK/NA 50% 45 5 43% 53 4

ANNUAL HSHOLD INC <50K 50-100 >100K 49% 46 5 42% 55 3 46% 50 5

AGE IN YRS.............. 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ 52% 43 5 44% 51 4 46% 52 2 41% 50 9

UpStat NYC Climate change Don't think so DK/NA 38% 58 4 55% 39 6

SUBURBS...... Tot LongIsl 43% 53 3 44% 54 3

28. How likely do you think it is that your community will be hit at some point in the next 10 years by another storm as bad as Sandy; very likely, somewhat likely, not so likely, or not likely at all? Tot Very likely Smwht likely Not so likely Not likely at all DK/NA 34% 33 19 11 3 Rep 16% 36 28 18 1 Dem 46% 33 11 7 3 Ind 28% 30 24 15 3 Men 26% 35 22 16 2 Wom 40% 32 17 7 3 Wht 27% 35 23 14 2 Blk 50% 29 11 4 6

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Very likely Smwht likely Not so likely Not likely at all DK/NA 38% 34 17 10 1 31% 33 21 12 3

ANNUAL HSHOLD INC <50K 50-100 >100K 38% 30 18 11 3 29% 36 24 9 3 37% 35 17 11 -

AGE IN YRS.............. 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ 34% 37 19 7 2 44% 31 16 8 1 30% 32 21 14 3 28% 34 20 13 5

UpStat NYC Very likely Smwht likely Not so likely Not likely at all DK/NA 21% 33 25 19 2 45% 31 15 6 3

SUBURBS...... Tot LongIsl 37% 38 16 7 3 37% 37 15 8 2

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29. In general, do you support or oppose same-sex marriage? Tot Support Oppose DK/NA 60% 33 7 Rep 34% 57 9 Dem 74% 21 6 Ind 63% 29 8 Men 56% 38 7 Wom 64% 29 7 Wht 60% 32 7 Blk 52% 41 8

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Support Oppose DK/NA 71% 24 5 Prot Support Oppose DK/NA 49% 42 9 54% 38 8 Cath 58% 35 8

AGE IN YRS.............. 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ 80% 14 6 Jew 58% 36 6 Sub 63% 31 7 64% 32 4 58% 33 9 45% 47 8 ATTEND SRVCS Weekly Less 32% 62 6 68% 25 7 No Religion 90% 7 3

WHITE...... Prot Cath 48% 42 10 57% 37 7

UpStat NYC Support Oppose DK/NA 56% 36 7 63% 30 7

TREND: In general, do you support or oppose same-sex marriage? Dec 13 2012 Support Oppose DK/NA 60 33 7 May 31 2012 54 37 9

30. Do you think that the use of marijuana should be made legal in New York State, or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes No DK/NA 51% 44 5 33% 63 4 56% 39 6 57% 38 5 56% 41 3 47% 46 7 52% 43 6 53% 44 4

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Yes No DK/NA 58% 37 5 Prot Yes No DK/NA 48% 48 4 47% 48 5 Cath 48% 47 5

AGE IN YRS.............. 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ 62% 34 4 Jew 46% 50 4 Sub 50% 44 6 55% 40 5 53% 43 4 37% 56 8 ATTEND SRVCS Weekly Less 31% 65 4 56% 38 6 No Religion 70% 24 6

WHITE...... Prot Cath 46% 50 4 46% 47 6

UpStat NYC Yes No DK/NA 49% 44 7 54% 43 3

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