1979 Florida Annual Policy Survey, FSU Survey Research Laboratory

1979 FLORIDA ANNUAL POLICY SURVEY

POLICY SCIENCES PROGRAM

SURVEY RESEARCH LABORATORY

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

Your help on this survey will make it possible for us to find better ways for dealing with these issues, so we hope you will talk to us for a few minutes. The answers you give me will be kept confidential within the limits of the law.

First, I'd like to begin by asking your opinion on living conditions in Florida....

1. On the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied or not at all satisfied with the living conditions in Florida?

1. Very Satisfied

2. Fairly Satisfied

3. Not Very Satisfied

4. Not At All Satisfied

8. DK

2. We are interested in how people are getting along financially these days. Would you say that you (and your family) are better off or worse off financially than you were a year ago?

1. Better Off

2. Worse Off

3. About the Same

8. DK

3. Looking ahead, do you think that a year from now you (and your family) will be better off financially, worse off, or just about the same as now?

1. Better Off

2. Worse Off

3. About the Same

8. DK

Now, I'd like to ask your opinion on some political topics. .

4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Carter is handling his job as President?

1. Approve

2. Disapprove

8. DK/No Opinion

5. The way the government in Washington is handling its job?

1. Approve

2. Disapprove

8. DK/No Opinion

6. The way the Florida State government is handling its job?

1. Approve

2. Disapprove

8. DK/No Opinion

7. The way the Local government where you live is handling its job?

1. Approve

2. Disapprove

8. DK/No Opinion

8. Some people seem to follow what's going on in government and public affairs most of the time, and others aren't that interested. Would you say that you are very interested, somewhat interested, a little interested, or not at all interested in what is going on in politics.

1. Very interested

2. Somewhat

3. Little

4. Not At All

8. DK

v9 v10

9. And what do you think are the most important problems facing the state of Florida? (PROBE: ARE THERE ANY OTHER PROBLEMS?)

____________________________________________

And which of these is the most important problem to you? (CIRCLE MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEM)

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10. We hear a lot of talk these days about liberals and conservatives. Would you generally consider yourself more of a liberal or more of a conservative?

1. Liberal

2. Middle of the Road/Moderate

3. Conservative

8. DK

11. Now I am going to read you a statement which contains two aren't very interested in either of the ideas, we will go on to the next question.

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a. Some people say the state government should adopt strong laws to reduce energy consumption in Florida. Others say that energy conservation should be left to each citizen. Which do you think?

1. Strong Laws

2. Other; Depends

3. Leave to Citizens

7. No Interest

8. DK

v13

b. Some people think that state and local taxes should be reduced even if public services have to be cut back. Others say we need these public services even it it means paying the same taxes. Which do you think?

1. Reduce Taxes

2. Other; Depends

3. Maintain Services

7. No Interest

8. DK

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c. Some people say the state should strictly enforce strong air and water quality standards. Others say that attracting new development to Florida is more important than strict enforcement of air and water quality standards? Which do you think?

1. Strict Standards

2. Other; Depends

3. Development

7. No Interest

8. DK

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d. Some people say the state should adopt strong laws to limit increases in the cost of health care. Others say that the government shouldn't get involved in health care costs. Which do you think?

1. Strong Laws

2. Other; Depends

3. No Laws

7. No Interest

8. DK

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e. Some people say the state government should finance statewide elections to lessen the influence of special interests. Others say that state financing is unnecessary and campaigns should continue to be financed by private donations. Which do you think?

1. State Funds

2. Other; Depends

3. Private Funds

7. No Interest

8. DK

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f. Some people say that the yearly mandatory state automobile inspections are ineffective and should be abolished. Others say that the inspections are effective and should be continued. Which do you think?

1. Abolish

2. Other; Depends

3. Continue

7. No Interest

8. DK

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g. Some people say the state should continue to purchase environmentally endangered lands to protect the quality of the environment. Others say that such programs are unnecessary and too expensive. Which do you think?

1. Purchase Lands

2. Other; Depends

3. Don't Purchase

7. No Interest

8. DK

12. Now I'm going to ask you some questions about spending by the State government in Tallahassee. Please bear in mind that eventually all government spending comes out of the taxes you and other Floridians pay. As I mention each program, tell me whether you think the amount now being spent should be increased, kept at the present level, decreased, or ended altogether?

(REPEAT OPTIONS IF NECESSARY)

1=Increase

2=Present Level

3=Decrease

4=End

8=DK

v19 a. Programs to combat crime

1 2 3 4 8

v20 b. Improve mass transportation

1 2 3 4 8

v21 c. Improve roads and the highway system (throughout the state)

1 2 3 4 8

v22 d. Help elderly people

1 2 3 4 8

v23 e. Improve our public schools (Grades K through 12)

1 2 3 4 8

v24 f. Improve our community colleges

1 2 3 4 8

v25 g. Improve our universities

1 2 3 4 8

v26 h. Improve and protect the environment

1 2 3 4 8

v27 i. Provide mental health services

1 2 3 4 8

v28 j. Help low income families with children

1 2 3 4 8

v29 k. Promote industrial development and attract new industries

1 2 3 4 8

v30 1. Promote tourism

1 2 3 4 8

v31 m. Protect the consumer

1 2 3 4 8

v32

13. Florida has the nation's largest proportion of senior citizens and each year the proportion grows. Do you think this growth helps the state's economy, hurts the state's economy, or don't you think it makes much difference?

1. Helps Economy

2. Hurts Economy

3. No Difference

8. DK

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14. What is your main source of information about state issues?

1. TV

2. Newspapers

3. Radio

4. Magazine

5. Friend or Personal Source

6. Other

7. None

8. DK

Now I want to ask a few questions about some of the services provided by state government.

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15. In general, would you say the public schools where you live are excellent, good, fair, poor, or aren't you familiar with the local schools?

(REPEAT OPTIONS IF NECESSARY)

1. Excellent

2. Good

3. Fair

4. Poor

7. Not Familiar

8. DK

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16. And how about the community colleges near you, would you say they are excellent, good, fair, poor or aren't you familiar with them?

1. Excellent

2. Good

3. Fair

4. Poor

7. Not Familiar

8. DK

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17. And the state universities in Florida?

1. Excellent

2. Good

3. Fair

4. Poor

7. Not Familiar

8. DK

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18. And how about the quality of the environment where you live. Would you say that the quality of the water in the lakes, rivers, and bays where you live is excellent, good, fair, or poor?

1. Excellent

2. Good

3. Fair

4. Poor

7. Not Familiar

8. DK

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19. And would you say that air quality is excellent, good, fair, or poor?

1. Excellent

2. Good

3. Fair

4. Poor

7. Not Familiar

8. DK

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20. On the whole, how would you judge the job done by government agencies to protect the quality of the environment where you live? Would you say they have done an excellent, good, fair, or poor job?

1. Excellent

2. Good

3. Fair

4. Poor

7. Not Familiar

8. DK

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21. One of the largest state agencies is the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, usually known as HRS. This department is in charge of human services such as public welfare, public health, mental health, services for the elderly and the like. Have

you heard of this agency or its services?

1. Yes

2. No (Skip to Q. 26)

8. DK (Skip to Q. 26)

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22. In general, how would you judge the job being done by HRS in providing these basic human services? Would you say: (READ OPTIONS)

1. Excellent

2. Good

3. Fair

4. Poor

8. DK

23. What things do you see as the good points or bad points of the agency and its services?

_______________________________________________

And which of these is the most important one to you?

(CIRCLE MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEM)

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24. Is there an HRS service center within a half hour of where you live?

(IF YES:) Would you be likely to contact the center if you had a problem?

1. No center (Skip to Q252)

2. Not sure (Skip to Q252)

3. Yes, not contact

4. Yes, contact

5. Yes, DK

8. DK

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25. Have you or a member of your immediate family used or, attempted to use any of the services offered by HRS during the last year?

(IF YES:) Were you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied, not at all satisfied, with these services?

1. Services not used

2. Very satisfied

3. Fairly satisfied

4. Not very satisfied

5. Not at all satisfied

6. Services denied

8. DK

ALL RESPONDENTS:

Now I'd like to ask you some questions concerning tax issues . . . .

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26. Do you think that state and local taxes in Florida are generally higher or lower than in other states, or about the same?

1. Higher

2. Lower

3. About Same

8. DK

v45

27. Suppose that despite your own preferences, the state of Florida must raise revenues substantially, which income tax of the following do you think is the best way to do it: (READ OPTIONS)

1. Adopt a personal income tax.

2. Increase corporate

3. Increase sales tax

4. Or increase property taxes

5. Other

8. DK

v46

28. And which of these do you think would be the worst way to raise new revenues for the state government? (READ OPTIONS)

1. A personal income tax

2. Corporate income tax

3. Sales tax

4. or, Property taxes

5. Other

8. DK

There has been a lot of talk recently about lowering property taxes in Florida.

v47

29. If it would mean a real reduction in property taxes would you favor or oppose adopting a state income tax?

1. Favor

2. Oppose

8. DK

v48

30. If it would mean a real reduction in property taxes would you favor or oppose raising the state sales tax?

1. Favor

2. Oppose

8. DK

v49

31. If property taxes are cut, do you think this should be done by changing the property tax rate, or by changing the tax exemption for homeowners?

1. Property tax

2. Exemption for homeowners

3. Other

8. DK

v50

32. And, if property taxes are cut, should the benefits go mostly to:

(READ OPTIONS)

1. All property owners (including businesses)

2. Homeowners

3. Low income families

4. The elderly (over age 65)

5. Other

8. DK

v51

33. Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent or what?

IF REPUBLICAN ASK: Would you call yourself a:

1. Strong Republican

2. Not so strong Republican

IF INDEPENDENT OR OTHER ASK: Do you think of yourself as:

3. Closer to Republicans

4. (Independent/Neither)

5. Closer to Democrats

IF DEMOCRAT ASK: Would you call yourself a:

6. Not so strong Democrat

7. Strong Democrat

8. DK

v52

34. Are you registered to vote in the state of Florida?

1. Yes

2. No

8. DK

Now, to make this study complete we need to know a few things about your background.

v53

35. How many phone numbers does your home have?

1. One

2. Two

3. Three

4. Four

5. Five

6. Six or more

v54

36. Have you lived in Florida all your life?

1. Yes (Skip to Q.39)

2. No

v55

37. In what year did you move to Florida? (CODE LAST 2 DIGITS)

v56

38. From what state did you move?

v57

39. Do you own or rent your home?

1. Own

2. Rent

3. Other

v58 v59

40. Are you the head of the household?

IF YES: IF NO:

41. Are you… Is the head of the household…

1. Employed (Skip to Q.42)

2. Housewife (Skip to Q.43)

3. Unemployed à What was the last job you (he/she) held?

4. Retired à What was your (his/her) main occupation before retiring?

8. DK (Skip to Q.43)

v60

42. Could you tell me what your (his/her) main occupation is?

(RECORD ANSWER VERBATIM AND DON'T CODE) __________________________________________________

v61

43. And what year were you born? (CODE LAST 2 DIGITS)

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44. What was the highest grade or year of school you

completed?

1. Eight years or less

2. 9-11 years

3. Completed High School

4. Business/Technical

5. Some College

6. Completed College

7. Graduate/Professional School

8. DK

v63

45. Are there any children at home?

(IF YES ASK): Any children under 6 years of age, from 6 through 18 years, or both?

1. None

2. Children Under 6 years

3. Children from 6 through 18 years

4. Both

8. DK

v64

46. Is your religious preference Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, some other religion or no religion?

1. Protestant

2. Catholic

3. Jewish

4. Other

5. No religion

7. Refused

8. DK

v65

47. And finally, could you tell me if you are:

1. White

2. Black

3. Cuban or Hispanic Decent

4. Some other group

8. DK

That completes our survey. Thank you very much for your time and help. Good Night.

DO NOT ASK:

v66

Sex of respondent:

1. Male

2. Female

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