Poll finds NY less gloomy about economy

New Yorkers' black mood about the state economy appears to be lifting slightly, in line with real signs of higher consumer confidence.

A poll by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion found that more state voters are still much more likely to believe the economy is getting worse than getting better. However, the percentage of those who think the economy is worsening has dropped from 46 percent in September to 31 percent now.

"We're seeing this nationally, as well," said Lee Miringoff, director of the polling institute. "We're seeing a glimmer of economic optimism that the recession might be over."

The poll of 751 registered voters in the last week of January has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Downstate suburban voters remained less pessimistic than upstate voters, but throughout the state the poll found a markedly less bleak outlook.

That makes sense, said Irwin Kellner, chief economist for MarketWatch. "Things have turned," he said. "It happened around Thanksgiving. Even with high unemployment, [consumer] spending took off."

It rose at the fastest rate in five years during the fourth quarter, Kellner said. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's pledge to hold the line on property taxes could further feed a growing sense of optimism, he said.

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Some Long Islanders see evidence of improvement themselves. Robert Levine, 42, a Jericho financial adviser, said his own clients seem to be doing better. "I'm hearing them spending some money," he said, including on expensive things such as home renovations.

And Lois Barth, 56, a retired NBC accountant, said she thinks the economy is "going the right way. But it will take a long, long while." The North Massapequa resident said she worries about the effects of higher fuel prices and coming state layoffs.

State budget cuts and fuel costs also concern Jeanette Jones, 56, a registered nurse from East Moriches. "I don't think the economy is improving," she said.

Neither did retired assistant principal Alan Lichtenstein, 66, of Commack. The bleeding of jobs from New York State and the lack of industry to replace them means "the economic outlook is bleak," he said.

But Rich Lisi, 47, of Franklin Square, said he has seen evidence of a stronger economy in his own home improvement business. "I see a little higher call volume of people at least thinking about doing work," he said. "I have a 4-month backlog of work, instead of four weeks. It just takes the pressure off."

The poll trend could be important, Miringoff said. "In economics, as in politics, perception is often reality. More people could be getting ready to spend."