1 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends and Findings December 13, 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: –Growth/Development –Transportation –Economic conditions –Education –Tax and spending preferences –Policy preferences Visit CSLI’s web site for previous surveys (www2.aacc.edu/csli)

3 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends and Findings The Center for the Study of Local Issues: Web Site - Homepage

4 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends and Findings The Center for the Study of Local Issues: Web Site - Search page

5 Two Questions about Challenges for the next Decade –Main Economic Challenge –Main Environmental Challenge Are local authorities up to the challenges? Is the public confident in the ability of local authorities to respond to a disaster…? Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends Focus on the Future: Main Challenges

6 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Main Economic Challenge for the Next Decade Managing growth/development30% Providing affordable housing19 Providing proper skills/education for workers 13 Providing enough jobs8 Infrastructure, roads3 Other28 Total101

7 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Main Economic Challenge for the Next Decade Answer WhA-AMenWo men <$75>$75Overall Managing growth/development % Providing affordable housing Providing proper skills/education for workers Providing enough jobs Infrastructure, roads Other Total

8 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Main Economic Challenge for the Next Decade: Age Answer Overall Managing growth/development Providing affordable housing Providing proper skills/education for workers Providing enough jobs Infrastructure, roads01613 Other Total

9 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Main Economic Challenge: Growth 29% Overall 22% % African-Americans 25% % % % Whites 35% Men 26% Women 35% >$75k 25% <$75k

10 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Main Economic Challenge: Jobs 7% Overall 11% % African-Americans 8% % % 60+ 6% Whites 11% Men 6% Women 6% >$75k 8% <$75k

11 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Main Economic Challenge: Housing 19% Overall 41% % African-Americans 20% % % % Whites 17% Men 22% Women 17% >$75k 22% <$75k

12 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

13 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Confidence in/perceived preparedness of local authorities – meet challenges or terrorist strike/natural disaster Preparedness/ Confidence Econ.Environ.TerrorDisaster Very8711 Somewhat Not very No answer7634

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

15 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

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

17 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends Perception of Issues in 2010 Negative expectations for all major issues (except economy) - (Fall ’04)

18 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends Economic Conditions in the County Spring 2002-Fall 2005 AA County economy outperforms nation AA County Excellent + Good National Gallup Excellent + Good

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

20 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Gas Prices: How has Public Accommodated Higher Cost? 56% Say it’s an Serious Concern Response: Downsizing, Changing Habits Possible effects YesNo No answer Decreased your amount of driving 50 1 Made you reduce entertainment spending Made you consider buying a more fuel efficient car Made you use a more fuel efficient vehicle than the one you would normally Increased your use of bicycles or walking Made you change your vacation plans last summer Increased your use of car-pools Increased your use of public transportation Made you consider moving closer to your work

21 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Gas Prices: Very Serious Concern? 57% Yes 71% % African-Americans 54% % % % Whites 52% Men 59% Women 52% >$75k 64% <$75k

22 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Gas Prices: Reduced Spending? 45% Yes 65% % African-Americans 46% % % % Whites 38% Men 49% Women 42% >$75k 49% <$75k

23 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Gas Prices: Less Driving? 51% Yes 58% % African-Americans 43% % % % Whites 44% Men 55% Women 44% >$75k 57% <$75k

24 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Gas Prices: Use Public Transportation More? 10% Yes 13% % African-Americans 12% % % % Whites 12% Men 9% Women 8% >$75k 11% <$75k

25 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

26 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 Building a third bridge span across the Chesapeake Bay State funding for embryonic stem cell research58348 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 Lengthening the school day in county schools, at a cost of about $30 million

27 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? AA County only - Approve 45% Disapprove 48% Unsure 7% Those with ‘friend or family member currently serving in the military in Iraq or Afghanistan’ (39% of sample): Approve 48% Disapprove 45% Unsure 6% Without: Approve 42% Disapprove 51% Unsure 6% Iraq War Starts Saddam Captured War Drags on Rally Effect

28 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%

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

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