Poll finds little support of California governor

California voters are showing little enthusiasm for two of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's three special election proposals, according to a poll that also reveals continuing discontent with the governor's job performance. The Public Policy Institute of California poll, released Thursday, is the latest in recent months to indicate the governor faces a tough task persuading voters to approve his slate of initiatives on Nov. 8. Voters said they are increasingly disenchanted with Schwarzenegger's performance, with just 34 percent saying they approve of the job he's doing. More than half also viewed the Legislature with disapproval.

According to the poll, Schwarzenegger's plan to impose new limits on state spending and give him more control over the budget got support from just 28 percent of likely voters. Sixty-one percent are opposed, with 11 percent uncertain. His plan to transfer authority to judges for drawing legislative and congressional districts was supported by 34 percent of likely voters; 49 percent were opposed, with 17 percent undecided. Voters were leaning favorably toward the governor's third initiative, which would lengthen the probationary period for public school teachers. It was supported by 49 percent of likely voters, with 42 percent opposed and 9 percent undecided. Respondents also backed a proposal to require unions to get their members' permission before dues could be used for political purposes. It was supported by 58 percent of likely voters, with 33 percent opposed and 9 percent undecided. The governor has not taken a position on it.

The telephone survey of 2,004 adults was conducted Aug. 8-15. Of those who responded, 1,556 were registered voters and 988 identified themselves as likely voters in November. It had a sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points for the survey of likely voters, AP reports.