1 Public ne Arundel County: Greater Severna Park Council – Presentation of CSLI Survey Findings for Spring 2009 April 14, 2009 Dan Nataf, PhD Director, Center for the Study of Local Issues Anne Arundel Community College 101 College Parkway, Careers 132 Arnold, MD (410) www2.aacc.edu/csli
2 GSPC Presentation – April 14, 2009 The Center for the Study of Local Issues: Overview CSLI – Part of Sarbanes Center for Public and Community Service – 30 th Anniversary Mission: Provide students opportunities for engaged learning, community outreach Main activity: Public interest and client surveys/research
3 GSPC Presentation – April 14, 2009 The Center for the Study of Local Issues: Overview Semi-annual Surveys: Conducted each March and October – latest was March 9-12; students used as interviewers Universe: Respondents randomly chosen from universe of listed telephone numbers within Anne Arundel County combined with randomly generated numbers Typical sample size: respondents; Spring sample: 625 Margin of error: 4% Topics: Each survey includes demographic and attitude/behavior questions, including such themes as: –Economic conditions Gender –Growth/Development Party –Transportation Income –Economic conditions Education –Education Religion –Tax/spending preferences Race –Policy preferences Employment Visit CSLI’s web site for previous surveys (www2.aacc.edu/csli)
4 GSPC Presentation – April 14, 2009 Main Issues for Today –County – Right/wrong direction –Most important problem –Economic conditions –Local issues – Development, slots, spending priorities for local government –State issues – Death penalty, text messaging –National politics
AA County: Right/Wrong Direction
Findings – Most Important Problem GrowthEducation
The economy…rate economic conditions Perceptions of County, State and National Economies
The economy…compare AAC/USA
The economy…does this apply?
Confidence in federal govt.
County Issues: Turbines, Sprinklers, Furloughs, Fee
County Issues – General Development Plan The county is currently revising its General Development Plan, which provides guidance for future growth in the county. Do you agree or disagree with the following?
County Budget County Budget : Increase, Reduce or Keep County Spending Unchanged ServiceIncreaseReduceKeep same Increase- Reduce Don’t know Public Schools Police Fire The community college Seniors’ services Roads Social Services Health Department Environmental Oversight Libraries Parks and Recreation Planning and Zoning
County Budget: County Budget: Increase, Reduce or Keep County Spending Unchanged - % Saying Increase
County (and State) Budget: Cut services or raise taxes?
Slots: – Location preference - Mall vs. Track Arundel Mills Laurel Race Track Against Slots Other No Answer
State Issues: Alcohol Tax, Texting, Death Penalty State Issues: Alcohol Tax, Texting, Death Penalty
State Issues: By Age State Issues: By Age
National Issues: National Issues: Presidential job approval Bush Obama
Presidential Job Approval by Party Obama Bush
Bipartisanship: Who is trying, worthy goal?