A new poll for CT Gov. M. Jodi Rell shows her approval rating has dropped to her lowest level ever, amid a severe economic downturn and months of criticism and ad campaigns from SEBAC, a coalition that represents Connecticut State public service workers.

The Quinnipiac University Polling Institute numbers show that 71% of voters support "raising the state income tax for individuals making at least $265,000 per year and couples making at least $500,000." Yet the Governor continues to refuse to raise taxes on the wealthy. The poll also finds that 55% of voters reject the "argument that raising taxes will force wealthier residents to move out of Connecticut." A majority of voters also support raising taxes on corporations.

Rell has said that raising taxes would be the worst thing the state could do and instead has proposed deep cuts to social services, health care, and higher education.

What do SEBAC leaders think about these poll results? As you may have guessed, they're definitely not shocked.

"I am not surprised that her approval numbers are beginning to drop," said Ron McLellan, the President of CEUI/SEIU Local 511. "Until this economic crisis, Governor Rell could hide her allegiance to big corporations and Connecticut's wealthiest citizens. But now, when the difficult decisions must be made, she has taken money from services that protect the middle-class and that support the most vulnerable among us -- all so that the rich and big businesses don't have to sacrifice."

"The Governor does not ask our wealthiest households and corporations to step up to the plate and be part of the solution,"[MO3]  said Maggie Adair, Policy Director for Connecticut Association for Human Services, an organization that works to end poverty and empower families. "Her budget priorities do not reflect the opinion of Connecticut's residents, who overwhelmingly support increasing the income tax on our highest wage earners."

In February, the SEBAC launched an aggressive television campaign that was designed to educate the public about the Governor's budget priorities and to hold her accountable for her budget decisions into the gubernatorial election season. To learn more about the coalition's campaign for a fair budget and view the video of their latest TV ad, visit www.InThisTogetherCT.org.

The unions in the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC), District 1199 launched their latest TV ad this week taking aim at Governor Jodi Rell for protecting the wealthy in a time of crisis. The unions are delivering a hard-hitting response to Gov. Rell making good on her threat to veto the state budget Democrats pushed through the legislature late last week that would have asked those most able to pay to step up and help solve the economic crisis while preserving vital services.