1. Community Problems
TallahasseeVoices
October 2009

2. Community Issues TallahasseeVoices
TallahasseeVoices is a pro bono internet survey panel sponsored by Kerr & Downs Research, WFSU‐FM, WCTV, and the Tallahassee Democrat. The survey was conducted in September of the 6,000 panel members responded. Results are weighted to reflect the demographics of the 90%+ local residents who have access to the internet at home, work, or school.
Contact: Phillip Downs, Ph.D.,
Senior Partner, Kerr & Downs Research
Professor of Marketing, Florida State University
Founder, TallahasseeVoices

3. Local residents face economic woes
The economy is the biggest problem in local residents’ lives
Cost of living, higher taxes, and the economy are 3 of the top 5 problems affecting local residents day-to-day
Crime, traditionally one of the top 3 problems, has dropped significantly as a concern to #11
When residents speak about others’ problems, they name the economy, unemployment/underemployment, and cost of living as the top 3 problems

4. Problems local leaders should address
Top 5 problems local leaders should address according to citizens are:
Growth & development
Cost of utilities
Underemployment/lack of high paying jobs
High airfares/lack of flights
Property taxes

5. Problems local leaders should address
Lack of quality healthcare was ranked 41st out of 43 concerns that local leaders should address – lack of quality healthcare is seemingly not a problem
Traffic & crime, often near the top of the list, were ranked 7th & 8th, respectively
Traffic slipped from #1 in 2007 to #7 in 2009
Lack of leadership in local government leaped from #27 in 2007 to #6 in 2009 – citizens are concerned perhaps because of the weak economy and because of continued high property taxes and other taxes & fees

6. Within the Tallahassee area, what are the greatest problems affecting you personally?
SOURCE: TallahasseeVoices.com, a pro bono internet survey panel of 6,000 residents. JOIN -

7. What are the major problems you see affecting the overall quality of life for others around Tallahassee?
SOURCE: TallahasseeVoices.com, a pro bono internet survey panel of 6,000 residents. JOIN -

8. What issues do you believe are most critical for local leaders to address?
SOURCE: TallahasseeVoices.com, a pro bono internet survey panel of 6,000 residents. JOIN -

9. What issues do you believe are most critical for local leaders to address?
SOURCE: TallahasseeVoices.com, a pro bono internet survey panel of 6,000 residents. JOIN -

10. What issues do you believe are most critical for local leaders to address? A comparison to TallahasseeVoices’ May 2007 State of the Community Survey
SOURCE: TallahasseeVoices.com, a pro bono internet survey panel of 6,000 residents. JOIN -