According to a recent Siena College survey, New York Governor Kathy Hochul is facing her lowest-ever favorability and job approval ratings. The statewide poll shows that Hochul's approval rating currently stands at 44%, with 50% of respondents expressing disapproval of her performance as governor. Additionally, her favorability rating sits at 38%, with 49% viewing her unfavorably.

Despite these low ratings, Hochul has received support from voters in both parties for her decision to halt New York's congestion pricing program. The poll indicates that 45% of voters approve of this move, while only 23% disapprove, with 16% remaining neutral. The congestion pricing program would have increased toll fares for commuters traveling to New York City.

Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg commented on the findings, stating that while voters strongly supported Hochul's decision to delay congestion pricing and the social media bill she championed, her favorability and job approval ratings are at their lowest point in nearly three years as governor. Among Democrats, however, Hochul still maintains a two-to-one favorability rating and strong job approval. On the other hand, she is viewed unfavorably by 81% of Republicans and 61% of independents, while 84% of Republicans and 63% of independents disapprove of her performance as governor.

The survey also revealed that President Biden's favorability in New York has dropped to its lowest-ever level, with only 42% of respondents expressing a favorable view of him. However, Biden still leads former President Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, by single digits, with 47% of the respondents supporting Biden and 39% supporting Trump. The survey also highlighted a gender gap, with men leaning towards Trump by a slim margin of 46% to 42%, while women favor Biden by a larger margin of 51% to 33%. White voters are evenly divided between the two candidates, while Biden maintains a significant lead among non-white voters. Trump garners support from 29% of Black voters and 26% of Latino voters.

Looking ahead, it is noted that two-thirds of voters plan to watch the upcoming debate between Biden and Trump. The last time the presidential election was as close in New York as it is now was in 1988 when Democrat Michael Dukakis defeated Republican George H.W. Bush by a margin of only four points.

Hochul's decision to put the congestion pricing plan on hold earlier this month has garnered attention. The plan, which was set to begin on June 30, aimed to improve air quality and reduce traffic in New York City. However, concerns about potential backlash from voters in the upcoming election led Hochul to delay its implementation. Critics of the plan have called it a tax on commuters, while left-wing activists argue that it deprives the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of much-needed funding.

In terms of support for Hochul's decision, suburban voters were the strongest group, with 56% backing the delay in congestion pricing. The proposal had also faced criticism from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, former President Trump, and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

The Siena College survey included 805 registered voters from across New York state and utilized various methods of data collection, including landlines, cellphones, and an online panel. The poll has a margin of error of 4.1%.