1. Overview of Recent Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County By Dan Nataf, Ph.D. Director, Center for the Study of Local Issues Anne Arundel Community College October 28, 2011 www2.aacc.edu/csli

2. Overview of Survey Process CSLI – Part of Sarbanes Center for Public and Community Service at Anne Arundel Community College Operating since 1978 Mission: Provide students opportunities for engaged learning, community outreach Main activity – public interest surveys o Respondents randomly chosen from universe of listed telephone numbers combined with computer generated numbers o Typical sample size: 400-900 respondents; students used as interviewers o Topics – wide ranging, economy, transportation, land use/growth, taxes/spending, schools… Last survey – Oct. 10-13, 2011 – focus of most of this presentation 487completed surveys Press releases available online. since 1978 www2.aacc.edu/csli

3. Polling Results for AA County

4. AA County Polling Results: Most Important Problem - Fall '06 to Fall '11

5. AA County Polling Results: Rate the Economy Percentage saying “excellent” or “good” since March 2009

6. Economy Excellent or Good: AA County vs. USA – County looks around 35% better

7. General economic conditions – % saying ‘applies’

8. Economic costs, inflation: % saying ‘applies’

9. Economic conditions: Found job, got income increase County residents vs. AACC students

10. Influences on Perceptions of Economic Conditions Percentage saying “Excellent/Good” by Category vs. Overall Percentage *Income *Increase in income lately *Possibility of losing job *Found job lately

11. Increased income improves outcomes…more than finding a job Percentage citing a condition applies vs. average

12. Higher income=fewer economic problems Lower income=0 to $75k; higher income=more than $75k Percentage citing a condition applies vs. average

13. Consumer confidence: County vs. students

14. Inflation forecast => BetterSameWorse Those saying worse regarding… Economic growth 121640 Unemployment 152147 Your personal financial situation 21432 Inflation as key indicator of overall pessimism…

15. Perceptions of MD and AAC dealing with economic downturn: County vs. students

16. 16 IssueSupportOpposeUnsure Imposing an additional fine of up to $1500 on drivers caught drunk driving86131 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 Obama’s health care reform law43508 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 college33634 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 State and County Issues Spring 2011

17. ProposalSupportOpposeUnsure/ NA Increase the toll on the Bay Bridge from $2.50 to $4.00 3364 4 Create a new tax on ownership of vehicles 1086 4 Increase the state’s property tax, adding $63 million to the fund 1186 3 Increase the corporate income tax rate by one percent, adding $100 million to the fund 57 39 4 Support for Proposals meant to Replenish Maryland ’ s Transportation Trust Fund Fall 2011

18. Earthquake: Where were you and was there a plan?

19. Method% Saying usedSuccessfulNot successful Other/No answer CountyStudents Mobile phone 66 71 40 55 5 Text message 42 7857 3014 Land line telephone 40 17 453718 Email 25 9 274132 Social media 19 49 254035 Earthquake - communication: Method, Success

20. Earthquake: Follow-up method

21. EQ: Follow-up method by location

22. Presidential job approval

23. Obama’s Job Approval by Party Registration

24. Trust in Political Parties – Spring 2009 to Fall 2011