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Poll: Floridians Have Sunny Outlook

TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) - A majority of Floridians say they are optimistic about the state's future, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll.

The new poll also looked at the public's view of new Florida Governor Rick Scott. A plurality said they were undecided about the new governor. Of those who knew him, 35 percent approve of his job performance and 22 percent disapprove.

The numbers for Scott's personal favorability were markedly lower according to the Quinnipiac poll. Only 28 percent had a favorable view of Scott, compared to 24 percent unfavorable and 45 percent saying they hadn't hear enough about him.

More than 90 percent of Floridians consider the state's budget problems serious, including 64 percent who labeled them "very serious." Of those who saw the problems as very serious, they favored increasing gambling by a 56-39 percent margin to help reduce the red ink in Tallahassee.

Half of those polled in the survey said they favor Scott's proposal to cut property and business taxes by $2 billion, but 48 percent said it was a bad idea for Scott to rule out raising taxes to balance the budget.

The Qunnipiac Poll also found that almost 2 in 3 Floridians agreed with Scott's decision to have state employees contribute to their pensions. Florida is the only state that doesn't have that requirement and Governor Scott said his plan would save $2.8 billion over two years.

(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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