1 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends and Findings November 2, 2005 Presented by Dan Nataf, Ph.D Director, Center for the Study of Local Issues Anne Arundel Community College 101 College Parkway Arnold, MD (410) (410) fax www2.aacc.edu/csli

2 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends and Findings The Center for the Study of Local Issues CSLI conducts public interest surveys each semester (since 1978) Respondents randomly chosen from universe of listed telephone numbers combined with computer generated numbers Typical sample size: respondents; students used as interviewers Each survey includes demographic and attitude/behavior questions Surveys themes include: Transportation; Economic Development; Education, Tax and Spending Preferences; Anne Arundel County’s Attractive Qualities; Growth/Development; Policy Preferences Visit CSLI’s web site for previous surveys (www2.aacc.edu/csli)

3 Two Questions about Challenges for the next Decade –Main Economic Challenge –Main Environmental Challenge Are local authorities up to the challenges? Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends Focus on the Future: Main Challenges

4 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Main Economic Challenge for the Next Decade Managing growth/development27% Providing affordable housing17 Providing proper skills/education for workers 11 Providing enough jobs8 Infrastructure, roads3 Other25 No answer8

5 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Main Environmental Challenge for the Next Decade Water pollution in Bay and streams57% Air pollution8 Maintaining open/green areas8 Enforcing environmental laws4 Other (mostly managing growth)14 No answer9

6 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Main Challenges for the Next Decade – Confidence that Local Govt. able to Effectively Deal with them Confidence levelEconomicEnvironmental Very confident87 Somewhat4538 Not very4150 No answer76

7 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings How Prepared are Local Authorities in Event of Terrorist Strike or Natural Disaster PreparednessTerrorDisaster Very prepared11 Somewhat4249 Not very4436 No answer34

8 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends How Prepared are Local Authorities in Event of Terrorist Strike - Trend

9 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends Most Important Issues Facing AA County Residents – Trends for Major Issues Growth Rises in Importance, Crime Drops

10 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends Most Important Issues – Economy, Environment NOT among Top Issues

11 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends Perception of Issues in 2010 Negative expectations for all major issues (except economy)

12 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends Economic Conditions in the County Spring 2002-Fall 2005 AA County economy outperforms nation

13 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends County’s Direction: Right or Wrong? Positive feelings affected by perceptions of the economy

14 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Gas Prices: How has Public Accommodated Higher Cost? Downsizing, Changing Habits Possible effectsAffectedNot affected No answer Decreased your amount of driving50 1 Made you reduce entertainment spending45541 Made you consider buying a more fuel efficient car42572 Made you use a more fuel efficient vehicle than the one you would normally Increased your use of bicycles or walking23743 Made you change your vacation plans last summer22771 Increased your use of car-pools21763 Increased your use of public transportation11863 Made you consider moving closer to your work11854

15 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Gas Prices: How does Public Perceive Causes? Producers’ Profits and Wrong Policies to Blame FactorVery important Somewhat important Not very important No answer High profits by oil companies High profits by oil exporting countries Increased global demand for oil The lack of policies encouraging the use of renewable energy and fuel efficient cars Damage to oil production facilities in areas along the Gulf coast Excessive regulation preventing drilling or refining within the United States

16 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Gas Prices: How does Public Perceive Solutions? Renewal Energy, Hybrids and Transit Expansion Preferred PolicySupportOpposeNA Tax incentives for the use of wind or solar power78166 Tax incentives for the purchase of hybrid/highly fuel efficient vehicles Increasing bus and light rail service, even if it requires more subsidies from state government Making it easier to develop nuclear power plants with the state of Maryland Higher taxes on gasoline to encourage use of more fuel efficient vehicles 20764

17 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Support for Various State and Local Policies Yes to Another Bridge, Pollution Fee and Stem Cell Research PolicySupportOpposeNo answer An annual $60 fee dedicated only to correcting the impacts of storm water erosion and pollution in county streams and rivers Putting a large horse training and show facility in the Gambrills/Crownsville area Building a third bridge span across the Chesapeake Bay Lengthening the school day in county schools, at a cost of about $30 million State funding for embryonic stem cell research58348

18 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings President Bush’s Job Approval Slight Plurality Disapproves Do you approve of the job George W. Bush is doing as President? Approve 45% Disapprove 48% NA 7%

19 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings President Bush’s Job Approval Partisanship Rules! Do you approve of the job George W. Bush is doing as President? Approve : Democrats 20% Republicans 77% Independents: 40%

20 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings President Bush’s Job Approval Best and Worst Policies Policy% Best% WorstBest-Worst War on Terrorism, Reaction to Iraq Other Tax, Economic Policy103+7 Supreme Court Nominations83+5 Homeland Security70+7 Education Policy42+2 Afghanistan30+3 Social Security31+2 Abortion or Stem Cell23 Gas Prices02-2 Environment Policy01 Katrina Response02-2 Spending, Deficits01 Immigration03-3 Staff Appointments02-2 No answer07-7 Total 100

21 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings President Bush’s Job Approval Best Policies by Party Registration

22 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings President Bush’s Job Approval Worst Policies by Party Registration