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Andrew Cuomo's Approval Rating Soars, Poll Says

By DNAinfo Staff on January 17, 2011 11:04am  | Updated on January 17, 2011 4:00pm

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivered his first State of the State address at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, N.Y., Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivered his first State of the State address at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, N.Y., Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011.
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AP Photo/Mike Groll

By Jill Colvin

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MANHATTAN — Two weeks into Gov. Andrew Cuomo's tenure, and more than a week after he warned of tough cuts to come, his approval rating is sky-high, a new poll says.

The Siena Research Institute poll released Monday found that 70 percent of voters have a favorable view of the governor. More than two thirds trust Cuomo to "do the right thing for New York."

In addition, 44 percent of voters told pollsters they believe Cuomo is doing an "excellent" or "good job" as governor.

"After two weeks as Governor, Cuomo’s honeymoon is in full swing, as he gets strong marks from voters by every measure," Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg said.

In contrast, less than half of those polled — just 33 percent — view the State Senate favorably, while 29 percent have a favorable view of the Assembly.

Fewer than 1 in 5 voters trust the state Legislature to do the right thing.

But voters are split on whether Cuomo will succeed in making Albany less dysfunctional over the course of the year.

Nearly 70 percent of those polled also applauded Cuomo’s decision to return 5 percent of his salary, saying it was a "good example that will help him negotiate other’ budget reductions."

Following the Arizona shootings, 43 percent of voters said they favor strengthening laws to prevent guns from getting in the wrong hands, though 39 percent said that, "unfortunately, depraved acts of violence by individuals cannot always be prevented."

The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percent.