Poll: Cuomo still high; voters favor Moreland Commission but few know what it is or does

LOUDONVILLE - While nearly three-quarters of voters have no opinion about the Moreland Commission, appointed by the Governor to investigate public corruption, and less than one-quarter of voters say they are following news about the commission even somewhat closely, by an overwhelming 72-15 percent, voters think the Moreland Commission should continue investigating political corruption, according to a new Siena College Poll of New York voters released today. More than eight in ten voters think corruption in the Legislature is a serious problem, including 40 percent who call it very serious. Similarly, more than three-quarters of voters say that corruption in the rest of state government is serious, with 30 percent saying it’s a very serious problem.

Governor Andrew Cuomo’s favorability and re-elect numbers remained little changed from last month, while his overall job performance rating edged back into positive territory. Asked to rate Cuomo’s performance on five specific issues, voters gave him lower job performance ratings on four of the five than his overall job performance rating. Voters remain closely divided on a ‘generic’ question regarding the casino gambling amendment, however, there continues to be significant support for approving the amendment based on the ballot wording.

“Well, New Yorkers may not know what the Moreland Commission is, or what it does, or who its members are. They don’t even rate the Moreland Commission among the top three corruption-busters. But if the choice is for the Moreland Commission to disband or to continue investigating political corruption, the answer is clear. Keep investigating, New Yorkers say, including at least 70 percent of voters from every party and region of the state,” said Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg.

“Why do voters overwhelmingly support the Moreland Commission continuing to investigate corruption? It may be because voters overwhelmingly say corruption is a serious problem in state government,” Greenberg said. “Corruption in the State Legislature is a serious problem according to 82 percent of voters, while corruption in the rest of state government is seen as a serious problem to nearly as many, 77 percent.”

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