Florida Annual Policy Survey
2001

Survey Research Laboratory
Florida State University

Survey was in field from July 11 to September 10, 2001

Back to FAPS Data Archive Page

Back to 2001 FAPS Page


Click on variable numbers to jump to question:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
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24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40a
41a
42a
43a
44
45a
45b
46
47
48
40b
41b
42b
43b
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
   


**Note**
The variables shaded in the above table are not included in the initial public release dataset.  These include the growth management questions 12-28, the policy questions 40a-43a and 40b-43b, and the election questions 44-48.  These questions will be included in the final public dataset to be released early 2002.  If you have questions about this codebook or the SPSS data, please contact Steve McDonald at sjm3689@garnet.acns.fsu.edu.

************************** FINANCIAL PRIORITIES FOR STATE ***********************
Q1.
To begin with, what do you think is the most important problem facing the state of Florida?

97. (SPECIFY)_______________________

98. Don't know
99. Refused

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Q2.
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. If you don't have any feelings about a program, let me know and I will go on.


State highways and road systems

Do you think these programs should be:
INTERVIEWER: READ RESPONSES AS NECESSARY

1. Increased ?
2. Kept at the present level ?
3. or Decreased ?

8. Don't know/No opinion
9. Refused

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Q3.
Programs for the elderly

Do you think these programs should be:
INTERVIEWER: READ RESPONSES AS NECESSARY

1. Increased ?
2. Kept at the present level ?
3. or Decreased ?

8. Don't know/No opinion
9. Refused

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Q4.
Programs for public schools (K-12)

Should they be:
INTERVIEWER: READ RESPONSES AS NECESSARY

1. Increased ?
2. Kept at the present level ?
3. or Decreased ?

8. Don't know/No opinion
9. Refused

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Q5.
Programs for state colleges and universities

Should they be:
INTERVIEWER: READ RESPONSES AS NECESSARY

1. Increased ?
2. Kept at the present level ?
3. or Decreased ?

8. Don't know/No opinion
9. Refused

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Q6.
Programs to protect the environment

Should they be:
INTERVIEWER: READ RESPONSES AS NECESSARY

1. Increased ?
2. Kept at the present level ?
3. or Decreased ?

8. Don't know/No opinion
9. Refused

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Q7.
Programs for low income families with children

Should they be:
INTERVIEWER: READ RESPONSES AS NECESSARY

1. Increased ?
2. Kept at the present level ?
3. or Decreased ?

8. Don't know/No opinion
9. Refused

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Q8.
Programs to combat crime

Should they be:
INTERVIEWER: READ RESPONSES AS NECESSARY

1. Increased ?
2. Kept at the present level ?
3. or Decreased ?

8. Don't know/No opinion
9. Refused

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Q9.
Programs for state prisons and correctional facilities

Should they be:
INTERVIEWER: READ RESPONSES AS NECESSARY

1. Increased ?
2. Kept at the present level ?
3. or Decreased ?

8. Don't know/No opinion
9. Refused

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Q10.
Programs for health care services

Should they be:
INTERVIEWER: READ RESPONSES AS NECESSARY

1. Increased ?
2. Kept at the present level ?
3. or Decreased ?

8. Don't know/No opinion
9. Refused

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Q11.
Programs to promote tourism

Should they be:
INTERVIEWER: READ RESPONSES AS NECESSARY

1. Increased ?
2. Kept at the present level ?
3. or Decreased ?

8. Don't know/No opinion
9. Refused

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************************* Growth Management ******************************

Q12.
Do you feel growth in your community should be stopped, limited, or not controlled at all?

1. Stopped
2. Limited
3. Not Controlled

8. Don't Know
9. Refused

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Q13.
Should the government do something about growth in your community?

1. Yes
2. No

8. Don't Know
9. Refused

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Q14.
What level of government should take primary responsibility for controlling growth - cities and towns, counties, the state, or the federal government?

INTERVIEWER: IF RESPONDENT SUGGESTS A COMBINATION, ASK FOR WHO HAS THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY.

1. Cities and Towns
2. Counties
3. State
4. Federal Government

8. Don't Know
9. Refused

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Q15.
I am going to read you some statements about growth in your community. Please tell me if you strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with each statement.

It is important to control growth in your community even if it places restrictions on what people can build on their property.

1. Strongly Agree
2. Agree
3. Disagree
4. Strongly Disagree

8. Don't Know
9. Refused

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Q16.
It is important to control growth in your community even if it results in fewer jobs in your community.

1. Strongly Agree
2. Agree
3. Disagree
4. Strongly Disagree

8. Don't Know
9. Refused

REMINDER: Do you strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement?

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Q17.
It is important to control growth in your community even if it means new houses will cost more.

1. Strongly Agree
2. Agree
3. Disagree
4. Strongly Disagree

8. Don't Know
9. Refused

REMINDER: Do you strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement?

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Q18.
It is important to control growth in your community even if you must pay higher taxes or fees as a result.

1. Strongly Agree
2. Agree
3. Disagree
4. Strongly Disagree

8. Don't Know
9. Refused

REMINDER: Do you strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement?

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Q19.
New housing should only be allowed when services, such as water and sewer, drainage, schools, and roads, are adequate to handle the additional number of people.

1. Strongly Agree
2. Agree
3. Disagree
4. Strongly Disagree

8. Don't Know
9. Refused

REMINDER: Do you strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement?

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Q20.
Building in fragile natural areas, such as floodplains, beaches, scenic areas, or wetlands, should be prohibited.

1. Strongly Agree
2. Agree
3. Disagree
4. Strongly Disagree

8. Don't Know
9. Refused

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Q21.
How familiar are you with Florida's system of growth management and comprehensive planning?

1. Very Familiar
2. Somewhat Familiar
3. Not Familiar

9. Refused

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Q22.
I'm going to read you a list of items. Please indicate whether you think that Florida's system of growth management has had a positive effect on these items, a negative effect on these items or a neutral effect.

How about The Economy?

Would you say that Florida's growth management system has had a positive effect on the economy, a negative effect on the economy, or a neutral (neither positive nor negative) effect on the economy?

1. Positive
2. Negative
3. Neutral (neither positive nor negative)

9. Refused

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Q24.
How about Housing Costs?

Would you say the effect of Florida's growth management system on housing costs has been positive, negative, or neutral?

1. Positive
2. Negative
3. Neutral (neither positive nor negative)

9. Refused

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Q25.
How about The Natural Environment?

Would you say the effect of Florida's growth management system on the natural environment has been positive, negative, or neutral?

1. Positive
2. Negative
3. Neutral (neither positive nor negative)

9. Refused

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Q26.
How about The Local Water Supply?

Would you say the effect of Florida's growth management system on the local water supply has been positive, negative, or neutral?

1. Positive
2. Negative
3. Neutral (neither positive nor negative)

9. Refused

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Q27.
How about Disaster Preparedness?

Would you say the effect of Florida's growth management system on disaster preparedness has been positive, negative, or neutral?

1. Positive
2. Negative
3. Neutral (neither positive nor negative)

9. Refused

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Q28.
How about Traffic?

Would you say the effect of Florida's growth management system on traffic has been positive, negative, or neutral?

1. Positive
2. Negative
3. Neutral (neither positive nor negative)

9. Refused

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********************* TAXES ***********************************

Q29.
Now think 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.

The Florida state sales tax

Do you think it is too high, too low, or about right?
INTERVIEWER: 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. Don't pay this tax

8. Don't know
9. Refused

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Q30.
The local property tax

Do you think it is too high, too low, or about right?
INTERVIEWER: 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. Don't pay this tax

8. Don't know
9. Refused

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Q31.
The state gasoline tax

Do you think it is too high, too low, or about right?
INTERVIEWER: 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. Don't pay this tax

8. Don't know
9. Refused

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*********************Rating of government officials*******************


Q32.
Now I'm going to ask you to assess the performance of various public officials.

Overall, how would you rate the job that President George W. Bush is doing?

Would you say excellent, good, fair or poor?

1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor

8. Don't know
9. Refuse

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Q33.
How would you rate the job the United States Congress in Washington D.C. is doing?

Would you say excellent, good, fair or poor?

1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor

8. Don't know
9. Refuse

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Q34.
How would you rate the job that Florida Governor Jeb Bush is doing?

Would you say excellent, good, fair or poor?

1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor

8. Don't know
9. Refuse

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Q35.
How would you rate the job that the Florida legislature in Tallahassee is doing?

Would you say excellent, good, fair or poor?

1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor

8. Don't know
9. Refuse

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Q36.
How would you rate the job that your county government is doing?

Would you say excellent, good, fair or poor?

1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor

8. Don't know
9. Refuse

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Q37.
How would you rate the job that your city government is doing?

Would you say excellent, good, fair or poor?

1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor

8. Don't know
9. Refuse

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**************** FAMILY FINANCES *********************

Q38.
We are also 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. Don't know
9. Refuse

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Q39.
Now turning to business conditions in the country as a whole-do you think that DURING THE NEXT 12 MONTHS we'll have good times financially, bad times financially or what?

1. Good times
2. Both good & bad times
3. Bad times

8. Don't know
9. Refuse

[At this point, half of all respondents were asked POLICY QUESTIONS -- A, before the Electoral College questions, and the other half were asked POLICY QUESTIONS -- B (which are the same as A) after the Electoral College questions were asked. This was done randomly. No respondent was asked both A and B.]

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******************* POLICY QUESTIONS -- A ******************

Q40a.
Now I would like to ask you about several issues that some people feel are important to those living in the state of Florida, and in the United States.

Do you favor or oppose a school voucher program that would allow parents to use tax funds to send their children to the school of their choice, even if it were a private school?

1. Favor
2. Oppose

7. No opinion
8. Don't Know
9. Refused

[top of page]

Q41a.
Regarding capital punishment, do you favor or oppose the Death Penalty?

1. Favor
2. Oppose

7. No opinion
8. Don't Know
9. Refused

[top of page]

Q42a.
Which of these statements comes CLOSEST to your view about abortion?

1. It should be legal in all circumstances
2. It should be legal in only some circumstances
3. It should not be legal in any circumstances

7. No opinion
8. Don't Know
9. Refused

[top of page]

Q43a.
In the Fall of 1999, Governor Jeb Bush issued an order to end all affirmative action programs in state hiring, state contracting, and state university admissions.

Do you favor or oppose Governor Bush's actions?

1. Favor
2. Oppose

7. No opinion
8. Don't Know
9. Refused

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***********ELECTORAL COLLEGE EXPERIMENT QUESTION************

Q44.
In the Electoral College system, each state has the same number of electoral votes as it has members of Congress.

The candidate that gets a majority of the Electoral Votes becomes President.

Some people want to keep this system. Others want to switch to a system where we just count the total votes nationally cast by people and whichever candidate gets the most popular votes would be declared the winner.

PROBE: For example, since Florida elects 23 members of the House of Representatives and has 2 U.S. Senators, Florida had 25 Electoral Votes in the last election.

[The following two questions, Q45a and Q45b, were also randomized so that half of the respondents were asked Q45a and half were asked Q45b. Each respondent was asked only one of the two questions.]

[top of page]

Q45a.
Do you favor keeping the Electoral College system or would you rather switch to a system based on the national popular vote?

1. Favor Electoral College
2. Favor Popular Vote

7. No opinion
8. Don't know
9. Refused

[top of page]

Q45b.
In our last election, George Bush won the Electoral Vote and became president, but Al Gore won the most votes nationally and would have become President if we made this switch.

Do you favor keeping the Electoral College system or would you rather switch to a system based on the national popular vote?

1. Favor Electoral College
2. Favor Popular Vote

7. No opinion
8. Don't know
9. Refused

[top of page]

Q46.
On the whole, how satisfied are you with the way democracy works in the United States?

Would you say you are very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied, or not at all satisfied?

1. Very satisfied
2. Fairly satisfied
3. Not very satisfied
4. Not at all satisfied

8. Don't know
9. Refuse

[top of page]

Q47.
Consider the following statement --

So many other people vote in the national elections that it doesn't matter whether I vote or not.

Do you agree strongly, agree somewhat, neither agree nor disagree, disagree somewhat, or disagree strongly?

1. Agree strongly
2. Agree somewhat
3. Neither agree nor disagree
4. Disagree somewhat
5. Disagree strongly

8. Don't know
9. Refuse

[top of page]

Q48.
Do you believe the presidential election we had last November was very fair, somewhat fair, neither fair nor unfair, somewhat unfair, or very unfair?

1. Very fair
2. Somewhat fair
3. Neither fair nor unfair
4. Somewhat unfair
5. Very unfair

8. Don't know
9. Refuse

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[Q40b through Q43b were only asked of those respondents who were not asked Policy Questions - B.]

*****************************POLICY QUESTIONS -- B*******************************

Q40b.
Now I would like to ask you about several issues that some people feel are important to those living in the state of Florida, and in the United States.

Do you favor or oppose a school voucher program that would allow parents to use tax funds to send their children to the school of their choice, even if it were a private school?

1. Favor
2. Oppose

7. No opinion
8. Don't Know
9. Refused

[top of page]

Q41b.
Regarding capital punishment, do you favor or oppose the Death Penalty?

1. Favor
2. Oppose

7. No opinion
8. Don't Know
9. Refused

[top of page]

Q42b.
Which of these statements comes CLOSEST to your view about abortion?

1. It should be legal in all circumstances
2. It should be legal in only some circumstances
3. It should not be legal in any circumstances

7. No opinion
8. Don't Know
9. Refused

[top of page]

Q43b.
In the Fall of 1999, Governor Jeb Bush issued an order to end all affirmative action programs in state hiring, state contracting, and state university admissions.

Do you favor or oppose Governor Bush's actions?

1. Favor
2. Oppose

7. No opinion
8. Don't Know
9. Refused

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***************TRUST IN GOVERNMENT*******************

Q49.
How interested are you in the national government in Washington, and national politics-- very interested, somewhat interested, a little interested, or not at all interested?

1. Very interested
2. Somewhat interested
3. A little interested
4. Not at all interested

8. Don't know
9. Refuse

[top of page]

Q50.
How well represented in the FEDERAL government are you and people like you? Are you well represented or poorly represented?

INTERVIEWER: IF POORLY: "Are you somewhat or very poorly represented?"
IF WELL: "Are you somewhat or very well represented?"

1. Very well represented
2. Somewhat well represented
3. Somewhat poorly represented
4. Very poorly represented

8. Don't know
9. Refuse

[top of page]

Q51.
How much of the time do you think you can trust the Federal government to do what is right?

1. Just about always
2. Most of the time
3. Only some of the time

7. VOLUNTEERED: Never
8. Don't know
9. Refuse

[top of page]

Q52.
Thinking now of state government in Tallahassee. How interested are you in the state government in Tallahassee, and state politics-- very interested, somewhat interested, a little interested, or not at all interested?

1. Very interested
2. Somewhat interested
3. A little interested
4. Not at all interested

8. Don't know
9. Refuse

[top of page]

Q53.
How well represented in the STATE government are you and people like you? Are you well represented or poorly represented?

INTERVIEWER: IF POORLY: "Are you somewhat or very poorly represented?"
IF WELL: "Are you somewhat or very well represented?"

1. Very well represented
2. Somewhat well represented
3. Somewhat poorly represented
4. Very poorly represented

8. Don't know
9. Refuse

[top of page]

Q54.
How much of the time do you think you can trust Florida state government to do what is right?

1. Just about always
2. Most of the time
3. Only some of the time

7. VOLUNTEERED: Never
8. Don't know
9. Refuse

[top of page]

***** PARTY ID, POLITICAL IDEOLOGY, & POL. PARTICIPATION *****

Q55.
Do you think there are major differences between what the Republican and Democratic parties stand for, minor differences, or no differences at all?

1. Major differences
2. Minor differences
3. No differences

8. Don't know
9. Refuse

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Q56.
Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or what?

REPUBLICAN- Would you call yourself a strong Republican or a not so strong Republican?
1. Strong Republican
2. Not so strong Republican

INDEPENDENT- Do you think of yourself as close to the Republicans or closer to the Democrats?
3. Closer to the Republicans
4. Independent/neither
5. Closer to the Democrats

DEMOCRAT- Would you call yourself a strong Democrat or a not so strong Democrat?
6. Not so strong Democrat
7. Strong Democrat

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Q57.
In politics today, do you think of yourself as a conservative, as middle of the road, as a liberal, or do you not think of yourself in these terms?

1. Conservative
2. Middle of the road
3. Liberal
4. Don't think in these terms

8. Don't know
9. Refuse

[top of page]

Q58.
At present, are you registered to vote in the state of Florida?

IF NO, ASK: "Are you currently registered to vote in another state?"

1. Yes
2. No
3. No, registered in another state

8. Don't know
9. Refuse

[top of page]

Q59.
Are you registered as a:

1. Republican?
2. Independent? or
3. Democrat?

[top of page]

***************** DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS *****************

Q60.
Finally, to be sure we have a representative sample of Floridians, we need to know a few things about your background.

What is your current marital status?

1. Never Married 8. Don't know
2. Married 9. Refused
3. Separated
4. Divorced
5. Widowed
6. Cohabiting
7. Other

[top of page]

Q61.
How many children do you have?

ENTER ACTUAL NUMBER 0-13____________________
(IF NUMBER EXCEEDS 13, JUST ENTER 13)
98 = Don't Know
99 = Refused

[top of page]

Q62.
In what year were you born?

ENTER BIRTH YEAR (1900-1983)___________________
1998 = Don't Know
1999 = Refused

[top of page]

Q63.
Have you lived in Florida all your life?

PROBE: "Were you born in Florida?"

1. Yes
2. No

8. Don't know
9. Refuse

[top of page]

Q64.
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 or technical school
5. Some college
6. Completed college
7. Graduate or professional school

8. Don't know
9. Refused

[top of page]

Q65.
What race do you consider yourself?

1. White
2. Black
3. Asian
4. Native American

97. Other (SPECIFY)_________________________________
98. Don't know
99. Refused

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Q66.
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

97. Other (SPECIFY)_________________________________
98. Don't know
99. Refused

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Q67.
What is your religious affiliation?

PROBE: "Are you Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, or something else)?"

1. Protestant
2. Catholic
3. Jewish
4. None

97. Other (SPECIFY)_________________________________
98. Don't know
99. Refused

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Q68.
Do you own or rent your home?

1. Own
2. Rent
3. Other

8. Don't know
9. Refuse

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Q69.
Are you currently a member of a neighborhood association?

PROBE: "For example, a homeowner's association or a neighborhood watch program."

1. Yes
2. No

8. Don't Know
9. Refuse

Q70.
Do you have any kind of health care coverage, including health insurance, prepaid plans such as HMOs, or government plans such as Medicare?

1. Yes
2. No

8. Don't know
9. Refused

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Q71.
About how long has it been since you had health care coverage?

READ ONLY IF NECESSARY

1. Within the past 6 months (1 to 6 months ago)
2. Within the past year (6 to 12 months ago)
3. Within the past 2 years (1 to 2 years ago)
4. Within the past 5 years (2 to 5 years ago)
5. 5 or more years ago
6. Never

8. Don't know
9. Refused

[top of page]

Q72.
What is the main reason you are without health care coverage?

DO NOT READ RESPONSES

1. Lost job or changed employers
2. Spouse or parent lost job or changed employers
[Includes any person who had been providing health insurance coverage]
3. Became divorced or separated
4. Spouse or parent died
5. Became ineligible because of age or because left school
6. Employer doesn't offer or stopped offering coverage
7. Cut back to part time or became temporary employee
8. Benefits from employer or former employer ran out
9. Couldn't afford the premiums
10. Insurance company refused coverage
11. Lost Medicaid or Medical Assistance eligibility

97. Other (SPECIFY)_________________________________
98. Don't know
99. Refused

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Q73.
Finally, consider all sources of income for everyone living with you in 2000, before taxes. Please stop me when I get to your household income level.

PROBE: "In what general category does your total household income fall?"

1. Under $5000 8. $40,000 to 50,000
2. $5,000 to 10,000 9. $50,000 to 60,000
3. $10,000 to 15,000 10. $60,000 to 70,000
4. $15,000 to 20,000 11. $70,000 to 80,000
5. $20,000 to 25,000 12. $80,000 to 90,000
6. $25,000 to 30,000 13. $90,000 to 100,000
7. $30,000 to 40,000 14. Over $100,000

98. Don't know 99. Refuse

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Sex.
Sex of the respondent

1. Male
2. Female

9. Refused

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Last.
These are all the questions I have to ask you. Thank you for your time and patience. Have a nice day.


INTV.
INTERVIEWER: PLEASE READ

I certify that all required questions were asked and recorded in agreement with the respondent's answers. This bona fide interview was obtained according to all interviewing specifications. I agree to keep the content of questions, the respondent's answers, and the subject of this and all other interviews confidential.

If the survey was not completed by the respondent, I certify that all other values I entered are valid.

ENTER YOUR INTERVIEWER ID HERE IN LIEU OF SIGNING THE INTERVIEW TO SPECIFY YOU UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO THE ABOVE STATEMENT.

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