1980 FLORIDA ANNUAL POLICY SURVEY
SURVEY RESEARCH LABORATORY
POLICY SCIENCES PROGRAM
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
MARCH 1980
v1
First, I would like to ask
you a few questions about the quality of life in Florida.
1. Overall, how would you rate Florida as a place to live,
excellent, good, fair, or poor?
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
8. DK (SKIP TO Q2)
v2 v3 v4
1a. What in particular did you have in mind when you rated the
quality of life as _______?
(REPEAT ANSWER FROM PREVIOUS QUESTION)
PROBE: Is there anything else?
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
2. Next, would you please evaluate how well your government and
public officials are doing their jobs?
(READ OPTIONS AFTER QUESTIONS
AS NECESSARY)
1=Excellent
2=Good
3=Fair
4=Poor
8=DK
v5 a. How would you rate the job Jimmy
Carter is doing as president?
1 2 3 4 8
v6 b. The job the US Congress is doing?
1 2 3 4 8
v7 c. How would you rate the job Bob
Graham is doing as governor? C10
1 2 3 4 8
v8 d. The job the Florida legislature in
Tallahassee is doing?
1 2 3 4 8
v9 e. And how about the job your local government
is doing?
1 2 3 4 8
v10
3. How much of the time do you think you can trust the state
government in Tallahassee to do what is right— just about always, most of the
time, some of the time, or never?
1. Always
2. Most of the time
3. Some of the time
4. Never
8. DK
v11
4. Of every tax dollar that goes to the federal government in
Washington, D.C., how many cents of each dollar would you say are wasted?
(CODE TWO DIGITS)
v12
5. And how many cents of each tax dollar that goes to the Florida
state government would you say are wasted?
(CODE TWO DIGITS)
v13
6. And how many cents of each tax dollar that goes to your local
government would you say are wasted?
(CODE TWO DIGITS)
Now I would like to ask you a
few questions about politics.
v14
7. Some people seem to follow what's going on in government and
public affairs, 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 polities?
1. Very interested
2. Somewhat
3. Little
4. Not At All
8. DK
v15
8. Where do you get most of your information about state issues and
politics?
1. TV
2. Newspapers
3. Radio
4. Magazine
5. Friend or Personal Source
6. Other
7. None
8. DK
v16 v17
v18
9. And what do you think are the most important problems facing the
state of Florida?
{CODE UP TO 3 MENTIONS, CODE ANSWERS VERBATIM)
PROBE: Are there any other problems?
Now I am going to read you
some statements containing two opposing ideas that people have mentioned to us.
If you are not interested in either of them, please tell me and we will go on
to the next question.
v19
10a. 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
v20
10b. Some people say that we must use the
cheapest fuels to produce electricity, even if it increases air pollution. Others feel that we should permit no more
pollution even if it means we'll pay more for electricity. Which do you think?
1. Cheapest fuels
2. Other/depends
3. No more pollution
7. No interest
8. DK
v21
10c. Some people say that the state should
reserve some gasoline for tourists, so that they will come to Florida. Others
say that Florida residents should have the first claim on gasoline, even if it
hurts tourism. Which do you think?
1. Reserve for tourists
2. Other/depends
3. Residents first
7. No interest
8. DK
v22
10d. 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
v23
10e. Some people say that the state gasoline tax should be raised
to provide more money for highways.
Others say that gasoline taxes should not be raised. Which do you think?
1. Raise tax
2. Other/depends
3. Don't raise tax
7. No interest
8. DK
v24
10f. The sunshine law prohibits Florida public officials from
holding closed meetings. Some people
say this law is good because the public has a right to know what goes on at
these meetings. Others say it is too strong, because some sensitive matters are
best discussed in private. Which do you
think?
1. Open meetings good
2. Other/depends
3. Law too strong
7. No interest
8. DK
Here are several other
questions of interest.
v25
11. In general, would you say the public schools where you live are
excellent, good, fair, or 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
v26
12. And how about the state colleges and universities in Florida,
would you say they are excellent, good, fair, or poor, or aren't you familiar
with them?
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
7. Not Familiar
8. DK
v27
13. Would you say that the services provided by the state and local
governments in Florida are excellent, good, fair, or poor?
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
7. Not Familiar
8. DK
14. I would like your opinion on a few more matters. Please tell
me if you have no opinion on the subject and we can skip to the next question.
Do you favor or oppose…
1=Favor
2=Other/Depends
3=Oppose
7=No interest
8=DK
v28 a. Constructing more nuclear power plants in
Florida?
1 2 3 7 8
v29 b. Taxing cars that get low gasoline mileage?
1 2 3 7 8
v30 c. Paying government workers about what they
would make at similar jobs in private industry?
1 2 3 7 8
v31 d. Having the state government carry more of
the load in financing public schools?
1 2 3 7 8
v32 e. Encouraging energy conservation with heavier
taxes on gasoline?
1 2 3 7 8
Here are several questions
concerning taxes.
v33
15. Several years ago, the voters in California passed Proposition 13
which reduced property taxes by more than half. If there were a proposition
like that in your area, would you vote for it, against it, or would you not
vote?
1. For
2. Against
3. Wouldn't vote
8. DK
v34
16. Should a constitutional amendment be passed to limit state
spending or should state spending be decided as it is now by the state
legislature?
1. Amendment
2. State legislature
8. DK
v35
17a. Governor Graham has proposed to equalize property
assessments throughout the state by requiring that all property be assessed at
full value. Do you favor or oppose such a proposal, or haven’t you heard enough
about it to have an opinion?
1. Favor (SKIP TO Q18)
2. Other/depends (SKIP TO Q18)
3. Oppose
7. No information (SKIP TO Q18)
8. DK
17b. IF "OPPOSE" TO 17a:
v36
Would you favor it if
counties were required to lower their tax rates so that the increased
assessments would not increase their revenues?
1. Favor
2. Other/depends
3. Oppose
8. DK
18. From your personal standpoint, please tell me for each tax
I read off to you whether you feel it is too high, too low, or about right.
IF "TOO HIGH", ASK:
Somewhat too high or much too high?
1=Much too high
2=Somewhat too high
3=About right
4=Too low
5=Do not pay
8=DK
v37 a. Federal income tax
1 2 3 4 5 8
v38 b. Florida state sales tax
1 2 3 4 5 8
v39 c. Local property tax
1 2 3 4 5 8
v40 d. Social security tax
1 2 3 4 5 8
19. 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
Programs to/for:
v52 a.
State highways and road systems
1 2 3 4 8
v53 b. Help
elderly people
1 2 3 4 8
v54 c.
Public transportation
1 2 3 4 8
v55 d.
Public schools (grades K-12)
1 2 3 4 8
v56 e.
State colleges and universities
1 2 3 4 8
v57 f.
Protection of the environment
1 2 3 4 8
v58 g.
Provide mental health services
1 2 3 4 8
v59 h. Help
low income families with children
1 2 3 4 8
v60 i.
Promote industrial development and attract new industries
1 2 3 4 8
v61 j.
Promote tourism
1 2 3 4 8
v62 k.
Energy conservation
1 2 3 4 8
v63
20. Of those programs which you feel should receive increased
spending (NAME PROGRAMS), which one would you designate as your top priority
for the increase?
(CODE ONLY ONE PROGRAM)
01. Highways 07.
Mental health
02. Elderly 08.
Low income families
03. Public transportation 09. Development
04. Public schools 10.
Tourism
05. Universities 11.
Energy
06. Environment 98.
DK
v64
21. How would you define your own personal political
philosophy, conservative, middle of the road, or liberal?
IF CONSERVATIVE ASK: Would you say: 1.
Strongly conservative
2.
Moderately conservative
3.
Middle of the road
IF LIBERAL ASK: Would you say: 4. Moderately liberal
5.
Strongly liberal
6.
Other
8.
DK
Now I would like to ask you
several questions about the presidential campaign.
v65
22. Some people don't pay much attention to campaigns. How about you?
Would you say that you are very much interested, somewhat interested, or not
very interested in following the political campaigns this year?
1. Very interested
2. Somewhat interested
3. Not very interested
8. DK
v66
23. On March 11, presidential primaries were held in Florida. We have
found that many were not able to vote because they weren't registered, were
sick, didn't have the time, or weren't interested. How about you— did you vote
in the primary election this month?
1. Yes, did vote
2. No, didn't vote (SKIP TO Q30)
8. DK (SKIP TO Q30)
v67
24. In which party primary did you vote— the Democratic or the
Republican?
1. Democratic
2. Republican
3. Referendum only (CODE 3 ONLY IF VOLUNTEERED)
8. DK
v68
25. Who did you vote for in the primary?
(PROMPT ONLY IF NECESSARY BY
READING LIST)
Republicans Democrats
01. John B. Anderson 10.
Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
02. Howard H. Baker, Jr. 11. Jimmy Carter
03. George Bush 12.
Richard B. Kay
04. John Connally 13.
Edward M. Kennedy
05. Philip Crane
06. Robert Dole 97.
Refused
07. Benjamin Fernandez 98. DK
08. Ronald Reagan
09. Harold E. Stassen
v69
INTERVIEWER CHECK POINT, DO
NOT ASK:
26. Prompted or not
1. Volunteered
2. Prompted
v70
27. Also on the ballot was a constitutional amendment to increase
the homestead exemption on property taxes to $25,000. Did you vote on this?
IF YES: For or against
raising the homestead exemption?
1. For
2. Against
3. Did not vote on it
8. DK
v71
28. Constitutional amendments like this are often written in
technical language, making them difficult for the ordinary citizen to
understand. How about you? Did you feel you understood the homestead
exemption measure and its consequences very well, somewhat, or not well at all.
1. Very well
2. Somewhat
3. Not well
8. DK
v72
29. What was your main source of information on the Homestead
Exemption proposal?
1. TV
2. Newspapers
3. Radio
4. Magazines
5. Friend/Personal Source
6. Other
7. None
8. DK
30. Now I would like to ask you a few more general questions about
the upcoming presidential election. At
this time, eight names are mentioned most frequently as possibilities to be our
next president. Three are Democrats:
Jerry Brown, Jimmy Carter, and Ted Kennedy.
Five are Republicans: John Anderson, Howard Baker, George Bush, John
Connally, and Ronald Reagan.
a. If you had to vote for president today, which one would
you choose?
b. Who would be your second choice?
(READ LIST AGAIN, EMPHASIZING PARTY AND CANDIDATE)
c. Are there any of the candidates who are unacceptable to
you? Which ones?
(READ REMAINING NAMES)
1=First
2=Second Choice
3=Acceptable
4=Unacceptable
8=DK
Democrats
v73 Jerry
Brown 1 2 3 4 8
v74 Jimmy
Carter 1 2 3 4 8
v75 Ted
Kennedy 1 2 3 4 8
Republicans
v76 John
Anderson 1 2 3 4 8
v77 Howard
Baker 1 2 3 4 8
v78 George
Bush 1 2 3 4 8
v79 John
Connally 1 2 3 4 8
v80 Ronald
Reagan 1 2 3 4 8
v81 Other 1 2 3 4 8
v82
31. What if Gerry Ford were a candidate? Would that change the choices you have indicated?
IF YES: Would he be your first or second choice?
1. Yes, first
2. Yes, second
3. No
8. DK
Finally, to make this study
complete, we need to know a few things about your background.
v83
32. 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
v84
33. Are you registered to vote in the state of Florida?
1. Yes
2. No
8. DK
v85
34. How many different phone numbers does your home have?
1. One
2. Two
3. Three
4. Four
5. Five
6. Six or more
v86
35. Is your phone number listed or unlisted?
1. Listed
2. Unlisted
3. Refused
8. DK
v87
36. Have you lived in Florida all your life?
IF YES CODE AS 88.
IF NO ASK: In what year did
you move to Florida?
(CODE LAST 2 DIGITS)
v88
37. Do you own or rent your home?
1. Own
2. Rent
3. Other
v89
38. Are you the head of the household?
1. Yes
2. No
v90 v91
IF YES: IF
NO:
39. Are you… Is
the head of the household…
1. Employed à Could you tell me what your (his/her) main occupation
is?
2. Housewife (Skip to Q41)
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 Q41)
RECORD ANSWER VERBATIM AND
DON'T CODE)
v92
41. And in what year were you born? (CODE LAST 2 DIGITS)
v93
42. 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
v94
43. 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. Under six years
3. From 6 thru 18 yrs.
4. Both
8. DK
v95
44. Is your religious preference Protestant, Roman Catholic,
Jewish or something else?
1. Protestant
2. Roman Catholic
3. Jewish
4. Other
5. Refused
6. None
8. DK
ASK FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ONLY
IF RESPONSE WAS PROTESTANT AND/OR BAPTIST.
v96
IF PROTESTANT ASK:
44a. What church or
denomination is that? ________________
v97
IF BAPTIST ASK:
44b. Is that Southern Baptist
or something else? _______________
v98
45. Could you tell me if you
are:
1. White
2. Black
3. Cuban or Hispanic Descent
4. Some other group
8. DK
v99
46. Now, consider all sources of income for everyone living
with you in 1979 before taxes. Please
stop me when I get to your income level.
1.Under $5,000
2.$5,000 to 9,999
3.$10,000 to 14,999
4. $15,000 to 19,999
5. $20,000 to 24,999
6. $25,000 to 29,999
7. Over $30,000
8. DK
9. Refused
That completes our survey.
Thank you very much for your time and help. Good night.
DO NOT ASK:
v100
Sex of respondent:
1. Male
2. Female