Arnold fights back!

It’s been a good week for Governor Schwarzenegger and his plans to reform California.

New internal polling data shows wide scale support among virtually all Californians for the Governor’s reform agenda. Additionally, the data shows Schwarzenegger is shaking off the dust from a multi-million dollar union-backed negative ad campaign, with a 17-point positive swing in the Governor’s job approval rating in the past month alone.

This positive shift is even being reflected in the media’s coverage of the Governor, as you can see by the two attached editorials.

All three Schwarzenegger-backed measures enjoy majority support among California voters. In addition, voters overwhelmingly back a measure which would require annual written consent from state and local government employees before their union can use their dues for political purposes.

55% of Voters Support Spending Limit
Voters were asked whether they supported or opposed imposing a spending limit based upon a three year rolling average of past state revenues which would give the Governor the authority to either selectively cut spending to certain programs or cut spending across the board anytime state spending becomes out of balance with state revenues.

Support: 55%
Oppose: 37%

68% of Voters Support Teacher Tenure Reform
Voters were asked whether they supported or opposed reforming California’s education system to reward good teachers and eliminate bad teachers by requiring a longer waiting period before a public school teacher can receive a guaranteed job for life, and basing that teacher’s continued tenure more on performance than on seniority alone.

Support: 68%
Oppose: 26%

71% of Voters Support Redistricting Reform
Voters were asked whether they supported or opposed having an independent panel of retired judges, not politicians, draw fair, honest and competitive state legislative and Congressional districts, making politicians of both parties more accountable to the people so that the people will pick their representatives instead of the politicians picking their districts.

Support: 71%
Oppose: 17%

68% of Voters Support Paycheck Protection
Voters were asked whether they supported or opposed requiring annual written consent of state and local government employees before their union can take money out of their paychecks and use it for political purposes.

Support: 68%
Oppose: 25%

The survey of 800 general election voters was conducted by McLaughlin & Associations and was taken between May 23-24. It has a margin of error of +/- 3.4%.