1986 FLORIDA ANNUAL POLICY SURVEY
SURVEY RESEARCH LABORATORY
POLICY SCIENCES PROGRAM
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
MARCH 1986
1. To begin, would you please evaluate how well your state and local
governments and public officials are doing their jobs?
(READ OPTIONS AFTER QUESTIONS
AS NECESSARY)
v1
a. How would you rate the job
Bob Graham is doing as governor?
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
8. DK
v2
b. How would you rate the job
the Florida legislature in Tallahassee is doing?
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
8. DK
v3
c. How would you rate the job
your local government is doing?
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
8. DK
v4 v5
2. And what do you think are the most important problems facing the
state of Florida?
PROBE: Are there any others?
(CODE UP TO TWO RESPONSES,
CODE ANSWERS VERBATIM)
3. Would you please evaluate
the following. If you are not familiar
with one of them, please tell me and we can go to the next question.
(REPEAT OPTIONS IF NECESSARY)
1=Excellent
2=Good
3=Fair
4=Poor
7=Not familiar
8=DK
v6
a. 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? (K-12)
1 2 3 4 7 8
v7
b. 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 2 3 4 7 8
v8
c. In general, would you say
that law enforcement where you live is excellent, good, fair, or poor?
1 2 3 4 7 8
v9
d. How about the maintenance
of roads and highways where you live? Is the maintenance excellent, good, fair,
or poor?
1 2 3 4 7 8
v10
e. How about social services
for the poor, disabled, and elderly?
Are they excellent, good, fair, or poor?
1 2 3 4 7 8
v11
f. How about the quality of
the fresh water where you live, is it excellent, good, fair, or poor?
1 2 3 4 7 8
4. 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 area, tell me whether you think the amount now being spent should
be increased, kept at the present level or decreased.
1=Increased
2=Present level
3=Decreased
8=DK
v13 01. State highways and road systems
1 2 3 8
v14 02. Elderly people
1 2 3 8
v15 03. Public schools (K-12)
1 2 3 8
v16 04. State colleges and universities
1 2 3 8
v17 05. Protection of the environment
1 2 3 8
v18 06. Low income families with children
1 2 3 8
v19 07. Industrial development and attracting new
industries
1 2 3 8
v20 08. To combat crime
1 2 3 8
v21 09. State prisons and correctional facilities
1 2 3 8
v22 10. Health care services
1 2 3 8
v23 11. Promote tourism
1 2 3 8
IF NO PROGRAM FOR INCREASE,
SKIP TO Q6
v24
5. Of those program areas which one you feel should receive increased
spending, which one would you designate
as your top priority for the increase?
You mentioned… (NAME
PROGRAMS)
(CODE ONLY ONE PROGRAM)
01. Highways
02. Elderly
03. Public
04.Colleges/universities
05. Environment
06. Low income families
07. Industry development
08. Combat crime
09. Prisons
10. Health care
11. Promote tourism
98. DK
IF NO PROGRAM FOR DECREASE,
SKIP TO Q7
v25
6. Of those program areas which you feel should receive decreased
spending, which one would you designate as your top priority for the decrease?
You mentioned… (NAME
PROGRAMS)
(CODE ONLY ONE PROGRAM)
01. Highways
02. Elderly
03. Public
04.Colleges/universities
05. Environment
06. Low income families
07. Industry development
08. Combat crime
09. Prisons
10. Health care
11. Promote tourism
98. DK
7. I would like your opinion on a few political issues. Some people really don't have an opinion on
some of these matters. If you have no
opinion on an issue, please tell me and I can skip to the next question.
1=Favor
2=Other/depends
3=Oppose
4=No interest
8=DK
Do you favor or oppose . . .
v26 a. State
or county run lotteries?
1 2 3 4 8
v27 b.
Casino gambling?
1 2 3 4 8
v28 c.
Changing the $25,000 Homestead exemption on property taxes so that all
property owners would have to pay
something?
1 2 3 4 8
v29 d. A
state income tax if more tax money had to be raised?
1 2 3 4 8
v30 e. The
Equal Rights Amendment?
1 2 3 4 8
v31
8. Within the past year or two, do you think that crime in your
neighborhood has increased, decreased or remained about the same?
1. Increased
2. About the same
3. Decreased
7. Not lived here that long
8. DK
v32
9. Do you think that population growth in your community is a major
problem, a minor problem, or no problem at all?
1. Major problem
2. Minor problem
3. No problem
8. DK
v33
10. How much of the time do you think you can trust Florida State
government 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
v34
11. How much of each tax dollar you pay to state government here in
Florida would you say is wasted - all of it, most of it, some of it, or hardly
any of it?
1. All of it
2. Most of it
3. Some of it
4. Hardly any of it.
5. None
8. DK
12. Now I would like to ask
you a few questions about abortion.
Please tell me whether or not
you think it should be possible for a pregnant woman to obtain a legal abortion
1=Yes
2=No
8=DK
v35 a. If
there is a strong chance of serious defect in the baby?
1 2 8
v36 b. If
the woman wants it for any reason?
1 2 8
v37 c. If
she is married and does not want any more children?
1 2 8
v38 d. If
the woman's own health is seriously endangered by the pregnancy?
1 2 8
v39 e. If
the family has a very low income and cannot afford any more children?
1 2 8
v40 f. If
she became pregnant as a result of rape?
1 2 8
v41 g. If
she is not married and does not want to marry the man?
1 2 8
v42 h. If
the woman is less than three months pregnant?
1 2 8
v43 v44
v45
13. Now think about some serious diseases medical problems facing the
country today. Which two or three do
you think are the most serious?
DO NOT READ RESPONSE & CODE UP TO THREE
RESPONSES.
1. None
2. Cancer
3. Heart Disease
4. AIDS
5. VD, herpes
6. Other
8. DK
v46 v47
v48
14. Now think about your own situation. Which two or three serious diseases or medical problems are you
most concerned about getting?
DO NOT READ RESPONSES.
CODE UP TO THREE RESPONSES.
1. None
2. Cancer
3. Heart Disease
4. AIDS
5. VD, herpes
6. Other
8. DK
v49
15. Are you afraid that you might get AIDS?
(AIDS IS A DISEASE CALLED
ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME.)
1. Yes
2. No
8. DK
v50
16. Are you afraid someone you know personally might get AIDS?
1. Yes
2. No
8. DK
17. Here are ways some people say you can get AIDS. For each of them, tell me whether you think
it's possible to get AIDS that way.
1=Yes
2=No
8=DK
Can you get AIDS:
v51 a. from
insects such as mosquitos?
1 2 8
v52 b. by
having sex with a person who has AIDS?
1 2 8
v53 c. by
working in the same office with someone who has AIDS?
1 2 8
v54 d. from
a toilet seat?
1 2 8
v55 e. by
drinking from a glass just used by a person with AIDS?
1 2 8
v56
18. About how many people in
the state of Florida do you think have AIDS?
(DO NOT READ RESPONSES)
PROBE: What is your best estimate?
1. 500 or less
2. Up to 1500
3. Up to 5000
4. Up to 50,000
5. More than 50,000
8. DK
v57
19. When you think about AIDS, do you think of it as occurring mainly
among certain groups of people.
1. Yes
2. No (Skip to Q20)
8. DK (Skip to Q20)
IF YES, ASK:
v58 v59
v60
a. Which groups would that be?
PROBE: Are there any others?
DO NOT READ RESPONSES. CIRCLE ALL THAT APPLY
1. Drug users
2. Blood recipients
3. Homosexuals
4. Haitians
5. Person with many sexual partners/promiscuous
6. Prostitutes
7. Other
8. DK
v61
20. Do you think that AIDS will spread from certain groups into the
general population or that AIDS will stay within the present risk groups?
(CODE "MIGHT
SPREAD" ONLY IF VOLUNTEERED BY R)
1. Spread to popul.
2. Might spread (only if volunteered)
3. Stay in groups
8. DK
21. A number of suggestions have been made on how to best handle the
AIDS problem. For each of the
following, please tell me whether you agree, disagree, or have not thought
enough about the problem to have an opinion.
1=Agree
2=Other/Depends
3=Disagree
8=DK
v62 a. People with AIDS should be isolated from
society. Do you agree or disagree?
1 2 3 8
v63 b. Children with AIDS should not be allowed in
the public schools.
1 2 3 8
v64 c. Government funds for AIDS research should be
greatly increased.
1 2 3 8
v65 d. Food handlers like waiters and cooks should
be given blood tests to screen for AIDS.
1 2 3 8
v66 e. Meeting places for homosexuals should be
closed.
(MEETING
PLACES ANY PLACE THAT HOMOSEXUALS MIGHT MEET LIKE BARS OR
BATH HOUSES.)
1 2 3 8
v67 f. There is little the government can do about the AIDS problem.
1 2 3 8
I would like to ask you a few
questions about air pollution now.
v68
22. Do you consider the air where you live to be clean, moderately
clean, or dirty?
1. Clean
2. Moderately clean
3. Dirty
8. DK
v69
23. How about where you work?
Do you consider the air to be clean, moderately clean, or dirty?
1. Clean
2. Moderately clean
3. Dirty
4. Doesn't Work (Skip to Q25)
8. DK
v70
24. Is the traffic you drive in going to and from work very
congested, congested, or not congested at all?
1. Very Congested
2. Congested
3. Not congested at all
4. Don't work/don't drive/don't have a car
8. DK
Since 1975, most cars have
been equipped with pollution control devices such as the the catalytic
converter, air pump, and fuel evaporative cannister.
v71
25. If you own a 1975 or later vehicle, to the best of your
knowledge, are the pollution control devices operating properly?
0. No car
1. Yes
2. No
3. Car made b/f '75
8. DK
v72
26. In your opinion, would disconnecting the pollution control
devices improve a vehicle's gas mileage or engine performance?
1. Yes
2. No
8. DK
v73
27. In your opinion, would disconnecting the pollution control
devices increase the amount of air pollution?
1. Yes
2. No
8. DK
v74
28. Do you regularly use
public transportation or car pools to go places?
1. Yes
2. No
8. DK
v75
29. Research has shown that
properly maintained pollution control devices on automobiles reduce auto
maintenance costs, improve gas mileage, and reduce the level of air pollution
from cars. Some people think that
Florida should have a mandatory program for inspecting pollution devices. Others think that inspection should be left to
each auto owner.
a. Do you think Florida should have a mandatory inspection program
or do you think that inspection should be left to each car owner?
1. Mandatory program
2. Undecided/Depends
3. Left to each car owner
8. DK
v76
b. Would you like to see a mandatory program in your area of an
average cost of about $6.00 per year?
1. Yes
2. No
8. DK
30. Which of the following health problems do you consider to be
caused by or made worse by air pollution from automobiles?
1=Yes
2=No
8=DK
v77 a. lead
poisoning
1 2 8
v78 b.
diabetes
1 2 8
v79 c.
bronchitis
1 2 8
v80 d.
carbon monoxide poisoning
1 2 8
v81 e.
asthma
1 2 8
v82 f.
toxic poisoning
1 2 8
v83
31. Are you in favor of regulating developments, such as office
complexes or shopping malls, to protect your local air quality?
1. Yes
2. No
8. DK
v84
32. If everyone in the state had to contribute to a fund to achieve
and maintain clean air in Florida, how much would you be willing to pay each
year?
CODE ACTUAL AMOUNT TO NEAREST
DOLLAR
(8.49 = 8; 8.50 = 9)
____________________
98. DK
33. Now I would like you to evaluate how well tie federal government
and public officials in Washington, D.C. are doing their jobs.
(READ OPTIONS AS NECESSARY)
v85
A. How would you rate the job Ronald Reagan is doing as president?
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
8. DK
v86
B. How about your member in the United States House of
Representatives in Washington D.C., how would you rate the job he or she has
been doing?
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
5. Don't know Representative (Skip to E)
8. DK
v87 v88
C. Why do you feel that way?
PROBE: Are there any other
reasons?
CODE UP TO TWO RESPONSES.
__________________________________
__________________________________
v89
D. How would you rate the job the United States Congress is doing?
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
8. DK
v90
E. How about Paula Hawkins, one of Florida's Senators in Washington,
D.C., how would you rate the job she has been doing?
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
8. DK
v91 v92
F. Why do you feel that way?
PROBE: Are there any other
reasons why you feel that way?
CODE UP TO TWO RESPONSES.
__________________________________
__________________________________
Let's turn now to some
questions about taxes.
v93
34. Some people think that state and local taxes should be reduced
even if public services have to be cut.
Others say we need these public services even if it means paying the
same taxes. Which do you prefer -
reducing taxes or maintaining services?
1. Reduce taxes
2. Other/depends
3. Maintain
7. No opinion
8. DK
v94
35. Compared with other tax payers, is it your impression that you
pay more taxes than you probably should, or about the right amount, or that you
pay less taxes than you probably should?
1. Pay more taxes than probably should
2. Pay about right amount of taxes
3. Pay less than probably should in taxes
8. DK
v95
36. 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. About the same
3. Lower
8. DK
37. Next, let me ask you about the taxes you pay. From your personal standpoint, please tell
me for each tax I read off to you if 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
v96 a. Florida state sales tax
1 2 3 4 5 8
v97 b. Local property tax
1 2 3 4 5 8
v98 c. State gasoline tax
1 2 3 4 5 8
v99
38. Which of the following do you think is the worst tax ? that is
the least fair?
(READ RESPONSES)
IF R SAYS "WE DON'T HAVE
A STATE INCOME TAX," SAY: Yes that's true, but just thinking about these 4
kinds of taxes generally, which do you think would be the least fair?
1. Federal income tax
2. State sales tax
3. State income tax
4. Local property tax
8. DK
Now let's talk about a
different subject.
v100
39. In November of this year Floridians will vote for a United States
Senator. Suppose the election were held
today and you had to choose right now.
Would you vote for Paula Hawkins, the Republican, or would you vote for
Bob Graham, the Democrat?
0. Refused
1. Paula Hawkins
2. Bob Graham
3. Undecided (Skip to Q39B)
8. DK (Skip to Q39B)
v101
IF PAULA HAWKINS OR BOB
GRAHAM, ASK:
A. Are you sure about this or might you change your mind before
election day?
1. Sure about (Skip to Q40)
2. Might change (Skip to Q40)
8. DK Skip to Q40)
v102
IF UNDECIDED, ASK:
B. At this moment, do you lean more toward Paula Hawking or Bob
Graham?
1. Paula Hawkins
2. Bob Graham
3. Neither
8. DK
v103
40. How interested are you in the outcome of this U.S. Senate race?
Are you very interested, somewhat interested, or not interested at all?
1. Very interested
2. Somewhat interested
3. Not interested at all
8. DK
v104
41. In politics today do you think of yourself as a liberal, a
conservative, or as middle-of-the-road, or don't you think of yourself in these
terms?
1. Liberal
2. Middle of road
3. Conservative
4. Don't think in those terms
8. DK
v105
42. General speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a
Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or what?
IF REPUBLICAN, ASK:
A. Would you call yourself a
strong Republican or a not so strong Republican?
IF INDEPENDENT, ASK:
B. Do you think of yourself
as closer to the Republicans, or closer to the Democrats?
IF DEMOCRAT, ASK:
C. Would you call yourself a
strong Democrat, or a not so strong Democrat?
(CODE OTHER PARTIES ONLY IF
VOLUNTEERED)
1. Strong Republican
2. Not so strong Repbulican
3. Closer to
Republ.
4. Independent/Neither
5. Closer to Democrats
6. Not so strong Democrat
7. Strong Democrat
8. DK
0. Other
v106
43. How often would you say you vote in elections? Always, most of the time, sometimes, or
never?
1. Always
2. Most of the time
3. Sometimes
4. Never
8. DK
v107
44. Do you plan on voting in the November election this year?
1. Yes
2. No
8. DK
Finally, to make our study
complete, we need to know a few things about your background.
v108
45. Do you ever work with a computer at your job?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Don't work
8. DK
v109
46. What is your current marital status?
1. Married
2. Single
3. Separate or divorced
4. A widow or a widower
5. Other
v110
47. How many children do you have?
CODE ACTUAL NUMBER
v111
IF CHILDREN, ASK:
A. How many of your children are under 18?
CODE ACTUAL NUMBER
v112
48. How often do you attend religious services? Would you say…
READ LIST
1. Never
2. 1-3 times a year
3. 2-3 times a month
4. Weekly or more often
8. DK
v113
49. Are you a Protestant, a
Catholic, a Jew, something else, or don't you have a religious affiliation?
1. Protestant
2. Catholic (Skip toQ50)
3. Jew (Skip to Q50)
4. Other (Skip to Q50)
5. Nothing (Skip to Q50)
6. Refused (Skip to Q50)
8. DK (Skip to Q50)
IF PROTESTANT, ASK:
v114
A. What denomination are you?
DO NOT READ LIST
1. Baptist
2. Methodist
3. Lutheran
4. Presbyterian
5. Episcopalian
6. Assembly of God
7. Congregational
8. Unitarian
9. Pentecostal
10. Unity
11. Christian Science
12. Latter Day Saints (Morman)
13. Nondenominational
14. Other
99. DK
v115
B. Do you consider yourself to be a "born again
Christian"?
1. Yes
2. No
v116
50. At present, are you registered to vote in the state of Florida?
1. Yes
2. No
8. DK
v117
51. And in what year were you
born?
(CODE LAST 2 DIGITS)
v118
52. Have you lived in Florida all your life?
1. Yes (Slip to Q59)
2. No
v119
53. In what year did you move to Florida?
(CODE LAST 2 DIGITS)
v120
54. 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. Bsnss/tchncl
5. Some college
6. Completed college
7. Graduate/professional
8. DK
v121
55. What is your race?
1. White
2. Black
3. Some other
4. Refused
8. DK
v122
56. Are you of Spanish or Hispanic origin?
IF YES, ASK:
52a. Are you of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, or some other
Spanish origin?
1. No (Skip to Q57)
2. Yes, Cuban
3. Yes, Mexican
4. Yes, Puerto Rican
5. Yes, other
8. DK
v123
57. Do you own or rent your home?
1. Own
2. Rent
3. Other
8. DK
v124
58. How many phone numbers does your home have?
1. One
2. Two
3. Three
4. Four
5. Five
6. Six or more
v125
59. Now, consider all sources
of income for everyone living with you in 1985 before taxes. Please stop me when I get to your income
level.
(READ CATEGORIES)
1. Under $5,000
2. $5,000 to 10,000
3. $10,000 to 15,000
4. $15,000 to 20,000
5. $20,000 to 25,000
6. $25,000 to 30,000
7. $30,000 to 40,000
8. Over $40,000
9. Refused
0. DK
That completes our survey.
Thank you for your time and help. Good bye.
DO NOT ASK:
v126
Sex of respondent
1. Male
2. Female