SACRAMENTO — Gov. Jerry Brown is on a roll with record-high favorable ratings and strong public support for a budget that bolsters school spending and pays off some debt, according to a new poll.

The survey by the Public Policy Institute of California shows that 60 percent of likely voters approve of Brown’s job performance and three out of every four of them favor his approach to the state budget.

“For the governor, it really hasn’t been any better than this,” said Mark Baldassare, PPIC president.

The survey comes after Brown released his proposed 2014-15 spending plan this month that socks away more in reserve, pays off some old bills and substantially increases the outlay to schools. An improving economy and voter-approved tax increases are boosting the availability of cash.

In contrast, President Barack Obama’s favorable numbers have plunged to 46 percent among likely voters — a record low in this Democratic state. He fares better among all adults, with an approval rating of 53 percent.

Baldassare said a litany of problems — from the disastrous rollout of the Affordable Care Act to the budget stalemate — remains on the minds of voters.

“People are very pessimistic about what they can expect from Washington in this next year,” he said. “It isn’t good news for the president or Congress.”

Continue reading here: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/jan/29/poll-brown-budget-fare-well-in-latest-survey/