Scott's Approval Rating Slips in New Poll
Thursday, April 7, 2011
By: Lynn Hatter, Florida Public Radio

April 7, 2011 | WMFE - For the second time in as many weeks, a new public opinion poll shows Florida Governor Rick Scott's approval rating on the decline as the budget debate heats up in Tallahassee.

48% of the1500 Florida voters polled say they have an unfavorable opinion of Florida Republican Governor Rick Scott.
That number has doubled in the three months since he’s been in office.
Many voters say they have concerns about the governor’s proposed budget and say they think governor’s proposals are unfair.

But Scott is not alone. Peter Brown, Assistant Director of Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, said voters are equally displeased with the state legislature. It has the same 48% disapproval rating as the governor.
“The thing to remember is that the legislature’s numbers are almost always worse than the chief executive, whether it’s a president or a governor.” Brown said. “I’m not saying it never happens, when the executive is in worse shape than the legislative, but it’s very rare unless the governor is indicted or something, which is clearly not the case.”
Brown said it’s not all bad news for Gov. Scott. His plan to drug test state employees has a four to one approval rating, and he still has four years left. Brown says polls are snapshots in time, and the governor still has time to improve his numbers.