LOUDONVILLE - A new statewide poll shows most New Yorkers believe the nation's best economic days are past and the next generation will have to accept a lower living standard.

The Siena Research Institute says 40 percent of the people surveyed see a strong national economy adjusting to return to long-term financial health, and 52 percent do not.

With almost three-quarters saying food and gas prices are seriously affecting their finances, 34 percent say they have sought overtime or another job in the last six months.

The survey of 513 households from Aug. 27-Sept. 7 claims a margin of error of 4.3 percentage points.

In May, fiscal analysts for Gov. David Paterson said a recession was beginning in New York and should continue into early 2009, followed by a slow recovery.