1. 1 Public Opinion and Issues in Anne Arundel County: Neighborhood Leadership Academy Presentation March 12, 2011 Dan Nataf, PhD Director, Center for the Study of Local Issues Anne Arundel Community College 101 College Parkway Arnold, MD 21012 (410) 777-2733 (410) 777-4733 fax ddnataf@aacc.edu www2.aacc.edu/csli

2. 2 NLA Presentation – March 12, 2011 The Center for the Study of Local Issues: Overview CSLI – Part of Sarbanes Center for Public and Community Service Operating since 1978 Mission: Provide students opportunities for engaged learning, community outreach Main activity: Public interest and client surveys/research each semester

3. 3 NLA Presentation – March 12, 2011 The Center for the Study of Local Issues: Overview Surveys: Respondents randomly chosen from universe of listed telephone numbers combined with computer generated numbers Typical sample size: 400-900 respondents; students used as interviewers Topics: Each survey includes demographic and attitude/behavior questions, including such themes as: –Economic conditions –Growth/Development –Transportation –Economic conditions –Education –Tax and spending preferences –Policy preferences Visit CSLIs web site for previous surveys (www2.aacc.edu/csli )

4. 4 LAA Presentation – Feb. 28, 2009 Main Issues for Today –County - Right/Wrong direction –Most important problems –Economic conditions –Perceptions of the future –Budget choices - tax and spending preferences –Current state and county issues –Housing –Crime –Immigration NLA Presentation – March 12, 2011 Main Issues for Today (or as far as we get!)

5. Remarkable stability in right/wrong direction… NLA Presentation – March 12, 2011 County – Right/Wrong Direction

6. 6 NLA Presentation – March 12, 2011 County – Most Important Problem Economy still top problem, but mostly unchanged since October 2009

7. Percentage saying excellent or good economy also stable since March 2009 NLA Presentation – March 12, 2011 County – Economic Conditions vs. State and USA

8. 8 NLA Presentation – March 12, 2011 Economic Concerns: Perceptions of the Local and National Economies 2002-2011 National County Thinking about our county's economy, how would you rate economic conditions in Anne Arundel County today -- excellent, good, only fair, or poor? (Total percentage saying excellent and good) Gallup - USA CSLI - AA County

11. 11 NLA Presentation – March 12, 2011 Economic Concerns by Various Demographic Factors

12. Economic ConditionThis year Next year Future year Median year N.A. A stabilization of housing values8355120127 A return to steady growth of the economy5325920125 A major reduction in the unemployment rate 4316120124 A return to a better balance between revenues and expenditures for state and local government budgets 31668201413 A return to a better balance between revenues and expenditures for the federal governments budget 31073201514 NLA Presentation – March 12, 2011 Economic Concerns: When will the economy improve? (Fall 2009)

13. ProposalSpring 2003Fall 2003Spring 2009 Cut programs403461 Increase taxes363417 Other (combination, other suggestion) --1814 Dont know24148 Total100 13 NLA Presentation – March 12, 2011 Funding Government – cut programs or cut spending? (Spring 2003, Fall 2003, Spring 2009) The county faces up to a $90 million deficit for the 2011 fiscal year. Which of the following do you think would be the best in dealing with this deficit: Cutting government services, raising taxes, or some of both? Spring 2010 Cutting services 27% Raising taxes 8% Some of both 55%

14. ServiceReducedKept the sameIncreasedDont know Fire department250462 Police department541531 Public Schools635582 The community college649414 Seniors services752393 Libraries864262 Roads1051391 Health Department1346346 Social Services1645354 Parks and Recreation1759223 Environmental Oversight1847314 Planning and Zoning2949139 14 As county government prepares for the upcoming 2011 fiscal budget, it will consider how to cut spending. As I mention an area of spending, tell me whether spending should be reduced, kept the same or increased as government seeks to balance its budget. (S09)

15. 15 NLA Presentation – March 12, 2011 Budget Measures: Taxes, Cuts, Spending IssueSupportOpposeUnsure Imposing an additional fine of up to $1500 on drivers caught drunk driving 86131 Permitting the use of off-shore wind power near Ocean City8010 Increasing the alcohol tax68293 Permitting the purchase of marijuana for medical purposes65297 Taking away drivers licenses from those who refuse to pay taxes64323 Increasing the use of cameras to ticket those running red lights59414 Making same sex marriages legal in Maryland47467 Making preparations to implement President Obamas health care reform law 43508 Limiting the use of binding arbitration when the county negotiates with public safety unions 354223 Allowing the children of illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition for college 33634 Increasing university tuition to maintain the quality of higher education32662 Reducing the pension and retiree health benefits of state workers28657 Promising state workers no furlough days, and providing them with a $750 bonus 255916 Increasing the county income tax to the maximum allowed by law to avoid cuts in essential services 25687 Increasing the gasoline tax to bolster the transportation trust fund17803

16. 16 BetterAbout the same WorseUnsure (vol.)/NA Economic conditions4720268 Growth and development3529316 Access to health care32233410 Public schools29 375 Health care quality2932 7 Water quality of the Bay and tributaries2923445 Air quality2432404 Availability of fresh water1743327 Crime1130546 Local taxes821665 Thinking about this Countys future, please tell me whether you think the following things will be better, about the same or worse in 2020. (F09) NLA Presentation – March 12, 2011 Future: Better, Same or Worse?

17. 17 NLA Presentation – March 12, 2011 Housing - What is Affordable Housing? (asked Fall 2002) Attribute cited% Purchase price Median: $150-175,000 39% A type that is lacking in AA County20% Housing type – apartments, townhouses, section 819% User type – low income, poor9% Other12% Total100% Is the lack of affordable housing in Anne Arundel County a problem? Yes 54% No 34% Dont know 12%

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21. 21 One Thing to Most Improve Safety

22. 22 NLA Presentation – March 12, 2011 Immigration Questions – Various (Spring 2008)

23. 23 Do you think that you personally have benefited from the services of illegal immigrants for example in landscaping, construction, restaurants or janitorial services? NLA Presentation – March 12, 2011 Personally Benefitting from Illegal Immigrants(Spring 2008)

24. 24 NLA Presentation – March 12, 2011 Legal and Illegal Immigrants (Spring 2008)

25. 25 NLA Presentation – March 12, 2011 Stances on Immigration Issues by Political Party (Spring 2008)

26. 26 SupportOpposeUnsure No answer Total Environmental measures meant to restrict development in critical areas? 84113199 Efforts by police to identify illegal immigrants and refer them to federal immigration services? 702541100 Increasing impact fees on new construction in our county? 633151100 Creating or increasing fees to sports leagues that use public parks to cover the maintenance of those parks? 504541100 Increasing the tax on hotel stays from 7 percent to 10 percent 33596199 Decreasing the drinking age to 18296821100 A $500 ambulance fee to help pay for county services? 266761100