Candor appreciated

It is little wonder that New York Gov. David A. Paterson is rising in the polls. He has handled the state budget with straightforwardness and common sense. People appreciate that.

Respondents to a recent Quinnipiac University poll added 10 percentage points to the governor's approval ratings since the last survey: 38 percent of voters viewed the governor favorably, 44 percent not so favorably. Forty percent like the job he is doing, 49 percent do not.

A Siena Research Institute poll also showed improvement for New York's governor: 36 percent of respondents approve of Gov. Paterson, 53 percent view him unfavorably. Some 23 percent said he's doing a good or excellent job for the state, 42 percent said fair and 34 percent poor.

A February Siena poll gave the governor a 28 percent favorable rating. He is on the way up.

Maurice Carroll, director of Quinnipiac's Polling Institute, summarized the latest survey: "Paterson's tough talk on the state budget boosted his job-approval numbers across the board — with Democrats, Republicans and independent voters."

New Yorkers desire the truth about the state budget — and it seems as if the governor is prepared to give it. Second, they want something done about it. Again, Gov. Paterson is stepping up with budget cuts as the Legislature remains on the sidelines.

If Gov. Paterson continues to lead for the good of the state and level with New Yorkers, his approval ratings will continue to climb.