Florida Gov. Rick Scott's approval rating has reached a new low, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. A survey of 1,196 registered Florida voters conducted from May 17–23 showed that 57 percent disapprove of the job the new governor is doing; only 29 percent approve. In a similar survey April 6, Scott drew a 48–35 percent disapproval rating.

Scott's score is the worst of any governor in the states surveyed.

Voters also are displeased with the Florida Legislature, which ended its annual 60-day session in early May. Poll participants gave lawmakers a nearly identical rating to that of the governor: a disapproval rating of 56–27 percent, compared to 47–35 percent in April.

Florida's property insurance market was hotly debated during the 2011 session, and this recent poll showed that it remains on Floridians' minds. Despite a new law signed by the governor (SB 408) designed to address property insurance cost drivers and stabilize the market, 63 percent of those surveyed said property insurance is getting more difficult to obtain; only three percent said it is getting easier. One in four voters (26 percent) said there has been no change.

This frustration with the insurance market for consumers led 59 percent of voters to call for more government regulation of property insurance in the state, while 29 percent said the state is doing enough.

"Whether the new law changes public attitudes about insurance in Florida, only time will tell, but there is no doubt that the electorate sees a crying need for something to make getting and paying for property insurance in Florida less onerous," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Even Scott's support among his fellow Republicans is relatively weak, with 51 percent of GOP voters approving and 37 percent disapproving of his job performance. Disapproval is 72–13 percent among Democrats and 57–28 percent among independent voters. There appears to be some gender bias in how people view Scott's performance: Men disapprove 53–35 percent and women disapprove 60–24 percent.

Over half of the voters surveyed said the state's new 2011-2012 $69.7 billion budget is unfair to people like them. "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."

Asked about the cuts in state spending contained in the budget, 47 percent said they go too far, while 18 percent said they do not go far enough, and 22 percent said they are about right. Also, 38– 23 percent of voters think those cuts will hurt, rather than help, Florida's economy.

Voters split 42–40 percent on whether they think Scott kept his promise not to raise taxes.

(Quinnipiac interviewers conducted the Florida survey by speaking with registered voters over land lines and cell phones; the survey has a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points.)

Special Reports /

Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s Approval Rating Sinks Lower

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