There may be broad-based support for ending beach tags in New Jersey in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, but there’s divided opinion as to the urgency of rebuilding the Jersey Shore according to a new Monmouth University poll.
Especially if it costs more to move quickly:
Nearly half of New Jerseyans (47%) say it is very important to repair damaged areas of the Jersey Shore in time for this summer’s tourist season. Another 34% say it is somewhat important and 18% say it is not important. Among shore county residents, more than 6-in-10 (62%) say this is very important.
However, Garden State residents do not feel that the job should be rushed if it would drive up the costs. Only 25% support having shore towns do all they can to rebuild by this summer if doing so would increase the price tag. Two-thirds of New Jerseyans (67%) feel that the shore should rebuild gradually if the cost of expediting the process is a factor. Among residents of the four shore counties, 31% support rebuilding by the summer of 2013 regardless of cost, while 60% support a more gradual rebuilding strategy to keep costs down.
Click here to read the full Monmouth polling results and data tables.