1989 FLORIDA ANNUAL POLICY SURVEY
SURVEY RESEARCH LABORATORY
POLICY SCIENCES PROGRAM
FLORIDA STATE
UNIVERSITY
JANUARY 1989
v77
1. 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 (VOLUNTEERED)
3. Worse
8. DK
v78
2. 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
v79 v80
3. 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)
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
v81
4. 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
v82
5. 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
v83
6. Next I want you to evaluate how well some government institutions and public officials are doing their jobs. How would you rate the job Bob Martinez is doing as governor? Would you say excellent, good, fair, or poor?
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
8. DK
v84
7. How would you rate the job the Florida Legislature in Tallahassee is doing?
READ RESPONSES AS NECESSARY.
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
8. DK
v85
8. How would you rate the job your local government is doing?
READ RESPONSES AS NECESSARY
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
8. DK
v86
9. How would you rate the job the United States Congress is doing?
READ RESPONSES AS NECESSARY.
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
8. DK
v87
10. How would you rate the job that Bob Graham is doing as United States Senator?
READ RESPONSES AS NECESSARY.
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
8. DK
v88
11. How would you rate the job that your representative in the United States House of Representatives is doing?
READ RESPONSES AS NECESSARY
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
5. Don't know who Rep. is (volunteered)
8. DK
v89
12. How would you rate the job that Ronald Reagan has done as president in the last 4 years?
READ RESPONSES AS NECESSARY.
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor
8. DK
v90
13. Whom do you think has done a better job of handling the problems facing the United States in the last 4 years--the president or the United States Congress?
1. The president
2. Both about the same
3. The Congress
4. Neither has done a good job
8. DK
v91
14. Do you think it is better for the country to have the president come from one political party while Congress is controlled by the other--or is it better for the President to come from the same party that controls Congress?
1. Split is better
2. Same party control is better
3. Doesn't make difference
8. DK
Next, would you please evaluate the following state programs.
1=Excellent
2=Good
3=Fair
4=Poor
7=Not Familiar
8=DK
v92
15. 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 (K-12)?
1 2 3 4 7 8
v93
16. 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
v94
17. In general, would you say that law enforcement where you live is excellent, good, fair, or poor?
1 2 3 4 7 8
v95
18. 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
v96
19. How about social services for the poor, disabled, and elderly? Are they excellent, good, fair or poor?
1 2 3 4 7 8
v97
20. How about the quality of the fresh water where you live, is it excellent, good, fair or poor?
1 2 3 4 7 8
21. 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=Decrease
8=DK
v99 01. State highways and road systems
1 2 3 8
v100 02. Elderly people
1 2 3 8
v101 03. Public schools (K-12)
1 2 3 8
v102 04. State colleges and universities
1 2 3 8
v103 05. Protection of the environment
1 2 3 8
v104 06. Low income families with children
1 2 3 8
v105 07. Industrial development and attracting new industries
1 2 3 8
v106 08. To combat crime
1 2 3 8
v107 09. State prisons and correctional facilities
1 2 3 8
v108 10. Health care services
1 2 3 8
v109 11. Promote tourism
1 2 3 8
v110 12. Fish and wildlife conservation
1 2 3 8
IF NO PROGRAM FOR INCREASE, SKIP TO Q23
v111
22. Of those program areas which 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. Colleges/universities
05. Environment
06. Low income families
07. Industry development
08. Combat crime
09. Prisons
10. Health care
11. Promote tourism
12. Fish and wildlife conservation
98. DK
99. No program for increase
IF NO PROGRAM FOR DECREASE, SKIP TO Q24
v112
23. 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. Colleges/universities
05. Environment
06. Low income families
07. Industry development
08. Combat crime
09. Prisons
10. Health care
11. Promote tourism
12. Fish and wildlife conservation
98. DK
99. No program for decrease
v113
24. Thinking back now to your top priority for an increase in funding (NAME PROGRAM FROM Q22), would you be willing to pay more in taxes to provide increases for this program?
1. Yes
2. No (SKIP TO Q26)
3. Maybe/depends
8. DK (SKIP TO Q26)
9. NA (SKIP TO Q26)
v114
25. About how much extra would you be willing to pay in taxes each year in order to fund increases in this program?
CODE DOLLAR AMOUNT.
001-995 = dollars
996 = $996+
997 = Refused
000 = NONE/NOTHING
998 = DK
999 = NA
Now I'd like to ask you a few questions about taxes in Florida.
v115
26. 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 (SKIP TO Q29)
3. Maintain services (SKIP TO Q29)
7. No opinion (SKIP TO Q29)
8. DK (SKIP TO Q29)
IF REDUCE TAXES, ASK:
v116
27. Would you support reducing taxes even if services to your community were cut?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Other/depends
8. DK
9. NA
IF MAINTAIN SERVICES, ASK:
v117
28. Would you support maintaining services even if it meant that you had to pay higher taxes?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Other/depends
8. DK
9. NA
v118
29. 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 sales tax to cover 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 of any kind
5. (VOLUNTEERED) Cut programs or services
8. DK
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
v119 30. Florida state sales tax
1 2 3 4 5 8
v120 31. Local property tax
1 2 3 4 5 8
v121 32. State gasoline tax
1 2 3 4 5 8
v122
Q32b. Would you support an increase in the State gasoline tax if the increases were for improvements to state roads, bridges, and other infrastructure needs?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Other/depends
8. DK
v123
33. Now let's talk about a different subject. Within the past year or two, do you think that crime in your neighborhood has increased, remained about the same, or decreased?
1. Increased
2. Remained the same
3. Decreased
7. Have not lived here that long
8. DK
v124
34. In the last 12 months, have you been the victim of a crime? That is, between January, 1988 and December, 1988, did anyone commit an illegal act against you directly, or to any of your property?
1. Yes
2. No (SKIP TO Q37)
8. DK (SKIP TO Q37)
IF YES, ASK:
v125 v126
35. What kind of crime was that? If you were a victim of more than two (2) crimes, tell me the two (2) most serious ones.
IF MORE THAN 1, ASK:
36 What was the other crime?
1. Murder & man- slaughter
2. Rape
3. Robbery
4. Assault, aggravated
5. Burglary
6. Larceny
7. Theft, motor parts, vehicle
8. Assault, non-aggravated
9. Arson
10. Forgery & counterfeiting
11. Fraud & Worthless checks
12. Embezzlement
13. Stolen property
14. vandalism
15. Weapons, carrying, possession
16. Prostitution
17. Sex offenses
18. Narcotic laws
19. Gambling
20. Offenses against family and children
21. Driving under influence
22. Liquor laws
23. Disorderly intoxication
24. Disorderly conduct
28. Curfew or loitering
29. Runaways
26. All others—except traffic
98. DK (SKIP TO Q 31
99. NA
BRIEFLY DESCRIBE EACH CRIME BELOW
CRIME l: _________________________
CRIME 2: _________________________
v127
37. Do you favor or oppose putting a refundable deposit on all beverage containers (such as soda cans, soda bottles, beer cans, beer bottles, etc.)?
1. Favor
2. Oppose
8. DK
v128
38. As you may know the Florida Legislature must review the Martin Luther King holiday on an annual basis to determine whether or not it is observed as a state holiday. What do you think, should the Martin Luther King Day be a permanent holiday, reviewed by the legislature from year-to-year or not observed at all?
1. Permanent
2. Year to year
3. Not observed
8. DK
v129
39. Do you favor or oppose a waiting period between the purchase of a gun and the actual delivery of the gun to the buyer?
1. Favor
2. Oppose(SKIP TO Q41)
3. Other/depends (SKIP TO Q42)
8. DK (SKIP TO Q42)
IF FAVOR ASK:
v130
40. Would you favor a 3 day waiting period or a 7 day waiting period?
1. 3 day
2. 7 day
3. More than 7 days
4. Something else
8. DK
9. NA
IF OPPOSED ASK:
v131
41. If you knew your elected representative in the Florida legislature voted for a waiting period, would this information reduce your likelihood of voting for that representative in the next election?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Maybe
8. DK
9. NA
v132
42. Do you think that each county in the state is getting, its proper share of lotto winners in the Florida lottery?
1. Yes
2. No
8. DK
v133
43. Have you ever played the state lottery?
1. Yes
2. No (SKIP TO Q46)
8. DK (SKIP TO Q46)
v134
44. Have you played the state lottery in the last three months?
1. Yes
2. No
8. DK
9. NA
v135
45. How frequently would you say you play the lottery games?
READ RESPONSES
1. Only once in a while
2. Once a month
3. Every 2 or 3 weeks
4. Every week
5. More than once a week
8. DK
9. NA
v136
46. Approximately how much of the total state education budget do you think is paid for by the lottery?
READ RESPONSES
PROBE: Please give me your best estimate.
1. Less than 10%
2. 10 to 25%
3. 25 to 50%
4. 50 to 75%
5. over 75%
8. DK
v137
47. Since 1975, most cars have been equipped with pollution control devices such as catalytic converters, air pumps, and fuel evaporative canisters. 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
v138
48. In your opinion, would disconnecting the pollution control devices improve a vehicle's gas mileage or engine performance?
1. Yes
2. No
8. DK
v139
49. In your opinion would disconnecting the pollution control devices increase the amount of air pollution?
1. Yes
2. No
8. DK
v140
50. In 1988 the Florida legislature enacted the Clean Outdoor Air Law to test levels of tailpipe exhaust emissions and to prevent tampering with the emission control equipment on automobiles in Florida. Have you heard or read anything about how this law will affect residents of Florida?
1. Yes
2. No
8. DK
v141
51. In Florida, open burning is defined as open fires for the destruction of waste such as yard trash, old structures, and waste from commercial land clearing. Are you aware that open burning is regulated in Florida?
1. Yes
2. No
8. DK
v144
52. Do you own a pleasure boat that is registered in Florida?
1. Yes
2. No (SKIP TO Q60)
8. DK (SKIP TO Q60)
v145
53. What is the length of your boat in feet?
CODE ACTUAL NUMBER OF FEET
998. DK
999. NA
v146
54. Do you store your boat at a marina?
1. Yes
2. No (SKIP TO Q56)
8. Don't know (SKIP TO Q56)
9. NA (SKIP TO Q56)
v147
55. Do you use a dry rack or a wet slip?
1. Dry rack
2. Wet slip
3. Both
4. Something else
8. DK
9. NA
v148
58. Do you usually do your recreational boating in salt water-or fresh water?
1. Salt water
2. Fresh water
3. Both about equally
8. DK
9. NA
v149
57. About how many days in the last year (January, 1988 through December, 1988) did you use your boat for sport fishing, diving, skiing, or cruising?
CODE ACTUAL NUMBER OF DAYS
000. Didn't use it for these activities at all (SKIP TO Q59)
001. 366 days
997. Refused
998. DK
999. NA
v150
58. How many people generally go with you when you engage in these boating activities? Please include yourself in that number.
CODE NUMBER OF PEOPLE
01. R goes alone
02. - 95. = number
96. = 96+
97. Refused
98. DK OnI.
99. NA
v151
59. Suppose Florida were to impose a fee in addition to your boaters registration fee for using the state's waters. And suppose that fee would be used for increasing law enforcement, boating safety, fishery stock enhancement, and reducing pollution in Florida's waters. How much of an additional fee would you be willing to pay to use Florida's waters? Please stop me when I get to the largest amount you would be willing to pay each day.
00. Nothing/none(VOLUNTEERED)
01. $1.00 to $2.00
02. $3.00 to $4.00
03. $5.00 to $7.00
04. $8.00 to $10.00
05. $11.00 to $15.00
06. $16.00 to $25.00
07. $26.00 to $40.00
08. More than $40.00
98. DK
99. NA
Next I'll be asking about some national issues.
v152
60. 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 kept at the same level?
1. Increased
2. Same level(SKIP TO Q62)
3. Decreased
8. DK (SKIP TO Q62)
v153
61. Do you feel strongly or not so strongly about that?
1. Strongly
2. Not so strongly
8. DK
9. NA
v154
62. 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?
1. Government provides jobs
2. Middle (SKIP TO Q64)
3. Get ahead on own
7. Other/depends(SKIP TO Q64)
8 . DK (SKIP TO Q64)
v155
63. Do you feel strongly or not so strongly about that?
1. Strongly
2. Not so strongly
8. DK
9. NA
v156
64. 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 that you are in the middle between these two positions?
1. Government efforts
2. Middle (SKIP TO Q66)
3. No special help
7. Other/depends(SKIP TO Q66)
8. DK (SKIP TO Q66)
v157
65. Do you feel strongly or not so strongly about that?
1. Strongly
2. Not so strongly
8. DK
9. NA
v158
66. Some people seem to follow what's going on in government and public affairs most of the time, whether there is an election going on or not. Others aren't that interested. Would you say you follow what is going on in government and public affairs most of the time, some of the time, only now and then, or hardly at all?
1. Most of the time
2. Some of the time
3. Only now and then
4. Hardly at all
8. DK
v159
67. Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a Republican, a Democrat, and Independent, or what?
IF REPUBLICAN, ASK:
A. Would you call yourself a strong Republican
or a not so strong Republican? 1. Strong Republican
2. Not so strong Republican
IF INDEPENDENT ASK:
B. Do you think of yourself as closer to the 3. Closer to the Republicans
Republicans or closer to the Democrats? 4. Independent/Neither
5. Closer to the Democrats
IF DEMOCRAT, ASK:
C. Would you call yourself a strong Democrat, 6. Not so strong Democrat
or a not so strong Democrat? 7. Strong Democrat
8. Don't know
0. Other, specify: _____________
v160
68. Do you think there are major differences between what the two parties stand for, minor differences, or no difference at all between the two parties?
1. Major differences
2. Minor differences
3. No differences
8. DK
9. NA
For each of the following, please tell me whether the Democrats or the Republicans are closer to your position on these issues.
REPEAT AS NECESSARY: Which party is closer to your position, the Democrats or the Republicans?
1=Democrats
2=Republican
3=Both are same
4=Neither
8=DK
v161 69. Domestic policy on issues such as social programs, minimum wage, unemployment
1 2 3 4 8
v162 70. Defense policy on issues such as the defense budget, weapons systems, military bases
1 2 3 4 8
v163 71. Economic policy such as reducing the deficit, taxes setting budget priorities
1 2 3 4 8
v164 72. Moral issues such as abortion, school prayer, policies dealing with the family
1 2 3 4 8
v165
73. Which of these policy areas are you most concerned about?
READ RESPONSES
1. Domestic policy
2. Defense policy
3. Economic policy
4. Moral issues
5. None of them (VOLUNTEERED)
8. DK
v166
74. In politics today, do you think of yourself as a conservative, as middle of the road, as a liberal, 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
v167
75. Did you vote in the 1984 presidential elections when Walter Mondale ran against Ronald Reagan?
1. Yes
2. No (SKIP TO Q77)
8. DK (SKIP TO Q77)
v168
76. Who did you vote for in that election?
1. Ronald Reagan
2. Walter Mondale
3. Someone else
7. Refused
8. DK
9. NA
v169
77. At present, are you registered to vote in the state of Florida?
1. Yes
2. No (SKIP TO Q84)
8. DK (SKIP TO Q84)
v170
78. Are you registered as a Democrat, a Republican, or an Independent?
1. Democrat
2. Republican
3. Independent
8. DK
9. NA
v171
79. In talking to people.about elections we often find a lot of people weren't able to vote because they weren't registered, or they were sick, or they just didn't have time. How about you, did you vote in the presidential election in Florida this last fall (November, 1988)?
1. Yes
2. No (SKIP TO Q84)
8. DK/don't remember (SKIP TO Q84)
9. NA
v172
80. Who did you vote for in the November 1988 election for president?
1. George Bush
2. Michael Dukakis
3. Someone else
7. Refused
8. DK
9. NA
v173
81. In the race for the United States Senate, did you vote for the Republican or the Democratic candidate?
1. Republican
2. Democrat
3. Some other party (SKIP TO Q83)
4. Didn't vote for this race (SKIP TO Q83)
7. Refused (SKIP TO Q83)
8. DK (SKIP TO Q83)
9. NA
v174
82. What was the name of the candidate that you voted for in the United States Senate race?
1. Connie Mack
2. Buddy MacKay
3. Someone else
7. Refused
8. DK/Don't remember
9. NA
v175
83. In the race for the United States House of Representatives in your district, did you vote for the Republican or the Democratic candidate?
1. Republican
2. Democrat
3. Some other party
4. Didn't vote for this race
7. Refused
8. DK
9. NA
Finally, to make the study complete, we need to know a few things about yaur background.
v176
84. What is your current marital status?
1. Married
2. Single
3. Separated or divorced
4. Widow or widower
5. Other, specify:
v177
85. How many children do you have?
CODE ACTUAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN
0 = None
98 = DK
v178
86. And in what year were you born?
CODE LAST TWO DIGITS
89 = Refuse
v179
87. Have you lived in Florida all your life?
1. Yes (SKIP TO Q90)
2. No
3. Yes but left for sometime (SKIP TO Q90)
7. Refused
8. DK
9. NA
v180
88. In what year did you move to Florida?
CODE LAST TWO DIGITS
PROBE: When was the last time you moved to Florida?
99. NA
v181
89. What state did you move to Florida from?
1. Alabama 19. Maine 37. Oregon
2. Alaska 20. Maryland 38. Pennsylvania
3. Arizona 21. Massachusetts 39. Rhode Island
4. Arkansas 22. Michigan 40. South Carolina
5. California 23. Minnesota 41. South Dakota
6. Colorado 24. Mississippi 42. Tennessee
7. Connecticut 25. Missouri 43. Texas
8. Delaware 26. Montana 44. Utah
9. Florida 27. Nebraska 45. Vermont
10. Georgia 28. Nevada 46. Virginia
11. Hawaii 29. New Hampshire 47. Washington
12. Idaho 30. New Jersey 48. West Virginia
13. Illinois 31. New Mexico 49. Wisconsin
14. Indiana 32. New York 50. Wyoming
15. Iowa 33. North Carolina 51. Puerto Rico
16. Kansas 34. North Dakota 52. Cuba
17. Kentucky 35. Ohio 53. Central America
18. Louisiana 36. Oklahoma 54. South America
55. Other
v182
90. What was the highest grade or year of school, including college, that you completed?
1. Eight years or less
2. 9-11 years
3. Completed high school
4. Business or technical school
5. Some college
6. Completed college
7. Graduate or professional school
8. DK
9. NA
v183
91. What is your race?
(IF OTHER ASK: Are you white or black?)
1. White
2. Black
3. Oriental
4. Other
7. Refused
8. DK
v184
92. Are you of Spanish or Hispanic origin?
IF YES ASK: Are you of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, or some other Spanish origin?
1. No
2. Yes, Cuban
3. Yes, Mexican
4. Yes, Puerto Rican
5. Yes, other, specify
8. DK
v185
93. Do you own or rent you home?
1. Own
2. Rent
3. Other, specify
8. DK
v186
94. How many phone numbers does your home have?
1. One
2. Two
3. Three
4. Four
5. Five
6. Six or more
v187
95. Now, consider all sources of income for everyone living with you in 1988, before taxes. Please stop me when I get to your general income level.
READ CATEGORIES.
PROBE: In what general category does your total household income fall?
1. Under $5000
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. $40,000 to $50,000
9. $50,000 to $60,000
10. Over $60,000
11.Refused
98. DK
That completes our survey. Thank you for your time and help. Good bye.
v188
DO NOT ASK:
Sex of the respondent
1. Male
2. Female