1988 FLORIDA ANNUAL POLICY SURVEY
SURVEY RESEARCH LABORATORY
POLICY SCIENCES PROGRAM
FLORIDA STATE
UNIVERSITY
JANUARY 1988
v78
1. First I would like to ask you about the quality of life in Florida. 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
v79
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
2. Same
3. Worse
8. DK
v80
3. Now looking ahead - do you think that a year from now you (and your family) will be better off financially or worse off or just about the same as now?
1. Better
2. Same
3. Worse
8. DK
v81
4. Looking ahead, which would you say is more likely - that the country as a whole will have continuous good times in the next five years or so, or that we will have bad times with periods of widespread unemployment or depression?
1. Good times
2. Good with qualifications
3. Pro/con, Undecided
4. Bad with qualifications
5. Bad times
8. DK
v82 v83
5. 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)
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Next, would you please evaluate how well government and public officials are doing their jobs?
(READ OPTIONS AFTER QUESTIONS AS NECESSARY)
v84
6. How would you rate the job Bob Martinez is doing as governor?
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
8. DK
v85
7. How would you rate the job the Florida Legislature in Tallahassee is doing?
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
8. DK
v86
8. How would you rate the job your local government is doing?
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
8. DK
v87
9. How would rate the job the United States Congress is doing?
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
8. DK
I would like your opinion on a few current 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 go to the next question.
(REPEAT OPTIONS IF NECESSARY)
1=Favor
2=Other/Depends
3=Oppose
4=No interest
8=DK
v88 10. Tightening the requirements for purchasing a handgun?
1 2 3 4 8
v89 11. The state's program to purchase endangered lands in Florida?
1 2 3 4 8
v90 12. Stricter laws on what a developer can do with the land that is being developed?
1 2 3 4 8
v91 13. Having the state government carry a share of the costs of public education?
1 2 3 4 8
v92 14. A half cent increase in the state sales tax for improving education on all levels?
1 2 3 4 8
The next few questions deal with health care.
v93
15. Has health care in your community gotten better, worse, or stayed about the same?
1. Better
2. Worse
3. Same
8. DK
v94
16. In the past 12 months, have you or any member of your household needed to go to a hospital emergency room for any reason?
1. Yes
2. No (SKIP TO Q20)
8. DK (SKIP TO Q20)
v95
17. Was that a private hospital (for profit), public hospital (not for profit), or some other health care facility?
1. Private hospital
2. Public hospital
3. Other facility
8. DK
v96
18. Did you or any member of your household have any problem in being admitted to the emergency room?
1. Yes
2. No (SKIP TO Q20)
8. DK (SKIP TO Q20)
IF YES, ASK:
v97 v98
19. What kind of problem did you have?
__________________
v99
20. Have you heard, seen, or read anything about the malpractice insurance issue in Florida?
1. Yes
2. No (SKIP TO Q22)
8. DK (SKIP TO Q22)
IF YES ASK:
v100
How much attention have you paid to it – a great deal, some, only a little, or none?
1. A great deal
2. Some
3. Only a little
4. None (SKIP TO Q22)
8. DK (SKIP TO Q22)
v101 v102
21. In your opinion, what is the malpractice issue all about, or don't you have an opinion on it?
PROBE: Is there anything else?
00. No opinion
98. DK
99. NA
Do you agree or disagree with the following statements.
1=Agree
2=Other/Depends
3=Disagree
4=No interest
8=DK
v103
22. Government funds for AIDS research should be greatly increased.
1 2 3 4 8
v104
23. Children with AIDS should not be allowed in the public schools.
1 2 3 4 8
Would you please evaluate the following. (REPEAT OPTIONS IF NECESSARY)
1=Excellent
2=Good
3=Fair
4=Poor
7=Not familiar
8=DK
v105
24. 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
v106
25. 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
v107
26. In general, would you say that law enforcement where you live is excellent, good, fair, or poor?
1 2 3 4 7 8
v108
27. 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
v109
28. How about social services for the poor, disabled, and elderly? Are they excellent, good, fair, or poor?
1 2 3 4 7 8
v110
29.How about the quality of the fresh water where you live, is it excellent, good, fair, or poor?
1 2 3 4 7 8
30. 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=Increase
2=Present level
3=Decrase
8=DK
Programs to/for:
v112 01. State highways and road systems
1 2 3 8
v113 02. Elderly people
1 2 3 8
v114 03. Public schools (K-12)
1 2 3 8
v115 04. State colleges and universities
1 2 3 8
v116 05. Protection of the environment
1 2 3 8
v117 06. Low income families with children
1 2 3 8
v118 07. Industrial development and attracting new industries
1 2 3 8
v119 08. To combat crime
1 2 3 8
v120 09. State prisons and correctional facilities
1 2 3 8
v121 10. Health care services
1 2 3 8
v122 11. Promote tourism
1 2 3 8
IF NO PROGRAM FOR INCREASE, SKIP TO Q32
v123
31. Of those program areas that 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 schools
04. College/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 Q33
v124
32. 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 schools
04. College/universities
05. Environment
06. Low income families
07. Industry development
08. Combat crime
09. Prisons
10. Health care
11. Promote tourism
98. DK
Now I'd like to ask you a few questions about taxes in Florida.
v125
33. In the November 1986 elections, Floridians voted to have a state lottery. Do you think the money from the state lottery should be spent only for education or do you think it should be spent on other programs in addition to education, or are you undecided about this?
1. Education only
2. Other programs
3. Undecided
8. DK
v126
34. Do you favor or oppose the use of the lottery as a source of revenue for the State?
1. Favor
2. Oppose
3. Undecided
8. DK
v127
35. From which level of government do you feel you get the most for your money - the federal, state or local?
1. Federal government
2. State government
3. Local government
4. (Volunteered) None
8. DK
v128
36. Which government do you feel wastes the most of your tax money - federal, state or local?
1. Federal
2. State
3. Local
8. DK
v129
37. Suppose the state government must raise taxes substantially. Which would be a better way to do it - establish a state income tax, increase the state sales tax, or extend the state sales tax to include services?
1. Establish a state income tax
2. Increase the sales tax
3. Extend the sales tax to include services
4. (Volunteered) no more taxes
5. (Volunteered) cut programs
8. DK
v130
38. 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 services
7. No opinion
8. DK
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
v131 a. Florida state sales tax
1 2 3 4 5 8
v132 b. Local property tax
1 2 3 4 5 8
v133 c. State gasoline tax
1 2 3 4 5 8
v134
42. 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.
v135
43. 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
v136
44. In the last 12 months, have you been the victim of a crime? That is, between January 1987 and December 1987, did anyone commit an illegal act against you directly, or to any of your property?
1. Yes
2. No (SKIP TO Q46)
8. DK (SKIP TO Q46)
v137 v138
45. What kind of crime was that? If you were the victim of more than two crimes, tell me the two most serious ones.
CRIME 1:_________________
CRIME 2:_________________
98. DK
99. NA
v139
46. 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
v140
47. Do you feel that population growth in your community should be stopped, limited, or not limited at all?
1. Stopped
2. Limited
3. Not limited at all
8. DK
v141
48. Do you think Florida should have a mandatory automobile inspection program or do you think inspection should be left to each car owner?
1. Mandatory program
2. Undecided
3. Left to each car owner
8. DK
v144
49. 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
v145
50. 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. (Volunteered) None
8. DK
Next, I'd like to ask you about some national issues.
v146
51. Should the government in Washington see to it that every person has a job and a good standard of living? Or should the government just let each person get ahead on his own? Or do you feel you are in the middle between these two positions?
IF MIDDLE, (SKIP TO Q53)
READ OPTIONS AS NECESSARY
1. Government provides jobs
2. Middle (SKIP TO Q53)
3. Get ahead on own
7. Other/depends (SKIP TO Q53)
8. DK SKIP TO Q53)
v147
52. Do you feel strongly or not so strongly about that?
1. Strongly
2. Not so strongly
8. DK
v148
53. Should the government in Washington make every effort to improve the social and economic position of blacks and other minority groups? Or should the government make no special effort to help minorities because they can help themselves? Or do you feel you are in the middle between these two positions?
(IF MIDDLE SKIP TO Q55)
READ OPTIONS AS NECESSARY
1. Government efforts
2. Middle (SKIP TO Q55)
3. No special help
7. Other/depends (SKIP TO Q55)
8. DK (SKIP TO Q55)
v149
54. Do you feel strongly or not so strongly about that?
1. Strongly
2. Not so strongly
8. DK
v150
55. Should the taxes people pay to the national government in Washington be reduced even if public services have to be cut? Or do we need these public services even if it means paying the same taxes? Or do you feel you are in the middle between these two positions?
1. Reduces taxes
2. Middle (SKIP TO Q57)
3. Maintain services
7. Other/depends (SKIP TO Q57)
8. DK (SKIP TO Q57)
v151
56. Do you feel strongly or not so strongly about that?
1. Strongly
2. Not so strongly
8. DK
v152
57. Some people feel that defense spending should be increased. Others feel that defense spending should be decreased. Do you think that defense spending should be increased, decreased or do you feel that defense spending should be kept at the same level?
READ OPTIONS AS NECESSARY.
1. Increased
2. Same level (SKIP TO Q59)
3. Decreased
8. DK (SKIP TO Q59)
v153
58. Do you feel strongly or not so strongly about that?
1. Strongly
2. Not so strongly
8. DK
v154
59. Think generally now about the three branches of the national government. How often can the United States Congress be trusted to do what is right - almost always, most of the time, only some of the time, or never.
1. Almost always
2. Most of the time
3. Only some of the time
4. Never
8. DK
v155
60. How often can the executive branch be trusted to do what is right? That is, how often can you trust the presidency, the cabinet, and the federal bureaucracy to do what is right?
(READ RESPONSES)
1. Almost always
2. Most of the time
3. Only some of the time
4. Never
8. DK
v156
61. How often can the Supreme Court be trusted to do what is right?
(READ RESPONSES)
1. Almost always
2. Most of the time
3. Only some of the time
4. Never
8. DK
v157
62. How would you rate the job Ronald Reagan is doing as president?
(READ RESPONSES)
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
8. DK
v158
63. How often do you feel you can trust Ronald Reagan to do what is right - almost always, most of the time, only some of the time, or never?
(READ RESPONSES)
1. Almost always
2. Most of the time
3. Only some of the time
4. Never
8. DK
v159
64. How would you rate the job Bob Graham is doing as Senator?
(READ RESPONSES)
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
8. DK
v160
65.How often do you feel you can trust Bob Graham to do what is right - almost always, most of the time, only some of the time, or never?
(READ RESPONSES)
1. Almost always
2. Most of the time
3. Only some of the time
4. Never
8. DK
v161
66. How would you rate the job your member in the U.S. House of Representatives has been doing?
(READ RESPONSES)
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
5. Or don't you know who your representative is. (SKIP TO Q75)
8. DK
v162
67. How often do you feel that your member in the U.S. House of Representative keeps the promises he makes? WOULD YOU SAY...
(READ RESPONSES)
1. Just about always
2. Most of the time
3. Only some of the time
4. Never
8. DK
v163
68. How much influence do you feel interest groups have on what your U.S. House member does in Washington?
(READ RESPONSES)
1. A lot
2. Some
3. Little
4. None
8. DK
v164
69. How often do you feel your U.S. House member uses his position to benefit himself personally?
(READ RESPONSES)
1. Most of the time
2. Some of the time
3. Rarely
4. Never
8. DK
v165
70. How would you rate the honesty of your U.S. House member - very honest, fairly honest, somewhat dishonest, or very dishonest?
1. Very honest
2. Fairly honest
3. Somewhat dishonest
4. Very dishonest
8. DK
v166
71. How often do you feel you can trust your U.S. House member to do what is right?
(READ RESPONSES)
1. Almost always
2. Most of the time
3. Only some of the time
4. Never
8. DK
v167
72. How closely do you feel your U.S. House member follows the opinions of his constituents when voting in Washington?
(READ RESPONSES)
1. Very closely
2. Fairly closely
3. Not closely at all
8. DK
v168
73. Is your U.S. House member a Republican or a Democrat?
1. Republican
2. Democrat
8. DK
v169
74. Would you say your U.S. House member is a conservative, a moderate, or a liberal?
1. Conservative
2. Moderate
3. Liberal
4. Volunteered - None of the above
8. DK
v170
75. When there is a conflict between what your U.S. House member feels is best and what the people in the district want, do you think he should follow his own feelings or follow what the people in the district want?
1. Follow his own feelings
2. Follow what the people want
3. Other/Depends (SKIP TO Q77)
8. Don't know (SKIP TO Q77)
v171
76. Do you feel strongly about this or not so strongly?
1. Strongly
2. Not so strongly
v172
77. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Sometimes we can overlook what a congressman does in his personal life because he serves the district well.
1. Agree
2. Disagree
3. Other/depends (SKIP TO Q79)
8. DK (SKIP TO Q79)
v173
78. Do you feel strongly or not so strongly about this?
1. Strongly
2. Not so strongly
v174
79. How closely do you follow what your U.S. House member does in office? Would you say . . .
(READ RESPONSES)
1. You follow what he does closely.
2. You follow what he does from time to time.
3. You rarely follow what he does.
4. You never follow what he does.
8. DK
v175
80. How important do you think it is for your representative to keep in touch with people about what the government is doing?
(READ RESPONSES)
1. Very important
2. Fairly important
3. Only slightly important
4. Not important at all
8. DK
There are many ways in which your member in the U.S. House can have contact with people from his district. Have you had any contact with or learned anything about your U.S. House member in any of the following ways?
Have you . . .
1=Yes
2=No
8=DK
v176 81. Met your U.S. House member personally
1 2 8
v177 82. Attended a meeting or gathering where he spoke
1 2 8
v178 83. Talked with a member of his staff or someone in his office
1 2 8
v179 84. Received something in the mail from him
1 2 8
v180 85. Read something about him in a newspaper or magazine
1 2 8
v181 86. Heard something about him on the radio
1 2 8
v182 87. Seen him on TV
1 2 8
v183 88. Known someone who has had contact with him
1 2 8
v184
88. People pay different amounts of attention to the United States Congress. When you stop and think about the activities of the Congress over the past year, would you say you were very interested, fairly interested, only slightly interested, or, not at all interested in what Congress did?
1. Very interested
2. Fairly interested
3. Only slightly interested
4. Not at all interested
8. DK
v185
90. 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 Republican
4. Independent/Neither
5. Closer to Democrats
6. Not so strong Democrat
7. Strong Democrat
8. DK
0. Other
v186
91. Do you think there are major differences between what the two parties stand for, minor differences or no differences at all between the two parties?
1. Major differences
2. Minor differences
3. No differences
8. DK
v187
92. In polities 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. Conservative
2. Middle of the road
3. Liberal
4. Don't think in these terms
8. DK
v188
93. How much of the time do you think you can trust the government in Washington to do what is right - just about always, most of the time, or only some of the time?
1. Just about always
2. Most of the time
3. Only some of the time
4. VOLUNTEERED: Never
8. DK
v189
94. How much of each tax dollar you pay to the federal government in Washington D.C. 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. (Volunteered) None
8. DK
v190
95. How often would you say you vote in Presidential elections - always, most of the time, sometimes, or never?
(READ RESPONSES)
1. Always
2. Most of the time
3. Sometimes
4. Never
5. (Volunteered) Just became eligible to vote
8. DK
v191
96. How often would you say you vote in Congressional elections - that is national elections where there is no presidential candidate running?
1. Always
2. Most of the time
3. Sometimes
4. Never
5. (Volunteered) Just became eligible to vote
8. DK
v192
97. How often would you say you vote in local elections?
(READ RESPONSES)
1. Always
2. Most of the time
3. Sometimes
4. Never
5. (Volunteered) Just became eligible to vote
8. DK
Finally, to make the study complete, we need to know a few things about your background.
v193
98. What is your current marital status?
1. Married
2. Single
3. Separate or divorced
4. A widow or a widower
5. Other
v194
99. How many children do you have?
CODE ACTUAL NUMBER: ______
IF NO CHILDREN SKIP TO Q104
IF CHILDREN, ASK:
How many of your children are . . . .
CODE ACTUAL NUMBER
v195
100. Under the age of 5? ______
v196
101. Between 5 and 13? ______
v197
101A. Do They Attend:
1. Public school
2. Private school
3. Both public and private
4. (Volunteered) Don't attend school
v198
102. How many of your children are between 14 and 18? _____
v199
102A. Do They Attend:
1. Public school
2. Private school
3. Both public and private
4. (Volunteered) Don't attend school
v200
103. How many of your children are over 18? _____
v201
104. And in what year were you born?
(CODE LAST 2 DIGITS) ____
v202
105.Have you lived in Florida all your life?
1. Yes (SKIP TO Q110)
2. No
v203
106. In what year did you move to Florida?
(CODE LAST 2 DIGITS) _____
v204
107. What state did you move from?
____________________
v205
108. In what state were you born?
____________________
v206 v207
109. What was the major reason why you moved to Florida?
PROBE: Are there any other reasons?
Major Reason: _____________________________
Other Reason: _____________________________
v208
110. In the last 5 years have you moved from one Florida County to another?
1. Yes
2. No (SKIP TO Q113)
8. DK
IF YES, ASK:
v209
111. What county did you previously live in?
_______________________
v212 v213
112. What was the major reason you moved from that county?
Are there any other reasons why you moved?
Major Reason: _____________________________________
Other Reason: _____________________________________
v214
113. At present, are you registered to vote in the State of Florida?
1. Yes
2. No (SKIP TO Q115)
8. DK (SKIP TO Q115)
IF YES, ASK:
v215
114. Are you registered as a Democrat, a Republican, or an Independent?
1. Democrat
2. Republican
3. Independent
8. DK
v216
115. What was the highest grade or year of school you completed?
1. Eight years or less
2. 9-11 years
3. Completed high school 12
4. Bsnss/tchncl
5. Some college
6. Completed college
7. Graduate/professional
8. DK
v217
116. What is your race?
IF OTHER (except for oriental), ASK: Are you white or black?
1. White
2. Black
3. Some other
4. Refused
8. DK
v218
117. Are you of Spanish or Hispanic origin?
IF YES, ASK:
118. Are you of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, or some other Spanish origin?
1. No (SKIP TO Q119)
2. Yes, Cuban
3. Yes, Mexican
4. Yes, Puerto Rican
5. Yes, other
8. DK
v219
119. Do you own or rent your home?
1. Own
2. Rent
3. Other
8. DK
v220
120. How many phone numbers does your home have?
1. One
2. Two
3. Three
4. Four
5. Five
6. Six or more
v221
121. Now consider all sources of income for everyone living with you in 1987 before taxes. Please stop me when I get to your income level.
(READ CATEGORIES)
PROBE: In what general category does your total household income fall?
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
v222
Sex of respondent
1. Male
2. Female