18thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyBoise State UniversityDepartment of Public Policy & AdministrationSocial Science Research Centerhttp://ppa.boisestate.edu/ssrcCollege of Social Sciences and Public Affairs18thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveySocial Science Research CenterBoise State University1910 University Dr., PAAW-124Boise, ID 83725 208-426-1835http://ppa.boisestate.edu/ssrcSuzanne McCorkle, Ph.D.Interim Dean, College of Social Sciences & Public AffairsStephanie Witt, Ph.D.Director, Social Science Research CenterDirector, Public Policy CenterCarole Nemnich, MPASSRC Project ManagerGregory C. Hill, Ph.D.Director, Applied ResearchRuss RiveraSSRC Graduate Assistant, Project Lead•Annually, the SSRC conducts a large-scale survey of Idahoans to identify public policy concerns. The study is provided to public officials and interested citizens.•513 adults in Idaho households representing six geographic regions were surveyed between December 8, 2006 & January 5, 2007. Telephone calls, interviews, data collection and preparation were made by Clearwater Research. •The survey standard error is +/-4% at a 95% confidence-level for the total population.www.clearwater-research.com18thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyI.Panhandle -Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Benewah, ShoshoneII.North Central -Latah, Clearwater, Nez Perce, Lewis, IdahoIII.Southwest -Adams, Valley, Washington, Payette, Gem, Boise, Canyon, Ada, Elmore, OwyheeIV.South Central -Camas, Blaine, Gooding, Lincoln, Minidoka, Jerome, Twin Falls, CassiaV.Southeast -Bingham, Power, Bannock, Oneida, Franklin, Bear Lake, CaribouVI.East Central -Lemhi, Custer, Butte, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison, Teton, BonnevilleRegions covered in the surveyRefused1%Yes60%No 30%DK 9%In general terms, do you think the state is headed in the right direction?N=51218thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyYES63.6%NO26.2%DON'T KNOW9.7%REFUSED0.5%Last Year18thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyIn your opinion, what is the most important issue facing Idaho today?3%6%21%2%3%3%9%22%27%7%00.050.10.150.20.250.30.350.4EducationJobs/Wages/EconomyGrowth EnvironmentImmigrationCrime/DrugsTaxesHealth InsuranceOtherDon't Know/RefusedN=5127%21%33%11%17%25%21%22%27%00.050.10.150.20.250.30.35EducationJobs/Wages/EconomyGrowth 16th, 200417th, 200518th, 200618thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyTop three “most important”issues facing Idaho –multiple year responsesNCLB1%Quality of Education25%Funding18%Infrastructure2%Teacher Salaries15%Other39%18thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyN=153If education is the most important issue, why?Local43%State18%Federal10%All Equal20%Refused5%Don't Know4%In general, do you have more trust in federal, state, or local government?N=51218thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyNONE10.4%ALL EQUAL7.9%LOCAL42.5%STATE26.8%FEDERAL11.2%DON’TKNOWREFUSED0.4%Last Year18thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyDon't Know3%Refused2%All Equal21%Federal10%State20%Local44%Which level of government do you think best responds to your needs?N=51218thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyDon't Know9%Refused1%All Equal21%Federal14%State25%Local30%From which level of government do you think you get the most from your tax money?N=512LOCAL36.1%ALL EQUAL2.3%FEDERAL16.3%STATE33.2%NONE5.7%DON’T KNOW5.4%REFUSED1.0%Last Year18thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyWhich tax do you think is the least fair?Equally Unfair18%Social Security Payroll Tax13%Local Property Tax21%Don't Know4%State Income Tax5%Federal Income Tax11%None 20%State Sales Tax8%N=512DK/Ref2%Too High45%About Right52%Too Low1%18thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyDo you think the amount of local property tax you have to pay istoo high, about right, or too low?N=399 Property Owners OnlyAbout right44.9%Too high50.4%Don't Know/Refused3%Too low1.2%Last YearStrongly Disagree4%Strongly Agree16%SomewhatAgree37%Somewhat Disagree12%DK/Ref6%Neither Agree nor Disagree25%18thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyHow strongly do you agree that the initiative process is a correct way to make complex policy decisions?N=512Other6%Local Option Taxes6%User Fees12%Federal Funds12%Property Tax13%Sales Tax33%DK/Ref9%Lottery1%All or Combinationof Above4%Income Tax4%18thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyHow should we pay for school maintenance and operations if thereis a funding shortfall?N=51218thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyServices provided by the city and county are keeping up with thegrowth where I live?Neither Agree nor Disagree7%DK/Ref2%Strongly Disagree16%Strongly Agree12%SomewhatAgree34%Somewhat Disagree29%N=512Regional16%Statewide18%Local 48%All Levels/Combination6%Other1%We Do Not Need Comprehensive Planning5%Don't Know-Not Sure/Refused6%At what level do you support comprehensive planning and zoning to manage growth?18thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyN=512Developers and Incoming Residents 5%Developers36%All Parties Pay Equally41%Incoming Residents15%Government1%Other1%D/K1%Who should pay for the infrastructure to support growth?18thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyN=51218thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyHow strongly would you support the development of mass transit where you live?Do Not Support Mass 3%DK2%Strongly Do Not Support 6%There is No Need Where I Live35%Somewhat Support28%Strongly Support26%N=512Neither Agree nor Disagree11%DK/Refused1%Somewhat Disagree16%Somewhat Agree20%Strongly Agree27%Strongly Disagree25%Should Idaho implement statewide vehicle emissions testing?18thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyN=512Neither Agreenor Disagree10%DK/Ref1%Strongly Disagree12%Strongly Agree33%Somewhat Agree29%Somewhat Disagree15%How strongly do you agree that additional public funds should beused to help provide health insurance to people who cannot afford it?18thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyN=512Neither Agree nor Disagree7%DK/Ref2%Somewhat Disagree17%Strongly Agree27%Somewhat Agree21%Strongly Disagree26%How strongly do you agree that people who can afford it, should carry health insurance in the same manner as automobile insurance?18thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyN=512Harsher Punishments2%Review and Release11%Build AnotherPrison20%Build Drug and Mental Illness Treatment Facilities42%House Arrest9%Send PrisonersOut of State4%Other5%DK/Ref7%What is an acceptable solution to Idaho’s prison overpopulation?18thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyN=512Strongly Disagree10%Neither Agree nor Disagree9%Don't Know/Refused1%Somewhat Disagree17%Somewhat Agree36%Strongly Agree27%18thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyHow strongly do you agree that the use of the Idaho National Guard outside our region is appropriate?N=512Strongly Agree14%SomewhatAgree25%Somewhat Disagree19%DK/Refused3%Neither Agree nor Disagree6%Strongly Disagree33%18thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyHow strongly do you agree that a stricter immigration policy will negatively affect Idaho’s economy?N=512Strongly Disagree18%Neither Agree nor Disagree2%SomewhatDisagree10%SomewhatAgree14%Strongly Agree56%18thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyHow strongly do you agree that Idaho should adopt an English Only policy for the state?N=512Not Very Important3%Somewhat Important15%Very Important80%Not Important at All2%18thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyOverall, how important are libraries in our state?N=51218thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyHow familiar are you with the Libraries Linking Idaho (LiLI) databases?Don't Know1%Not At All Familiar36%Very Familiar6%Somewhat Familiar29%Not Very Familiar28%N=512Strongly Disagree27%Neither Agree nor Disagree26%Somewhat Disagree19%Don't Know/Refused5%Somewhat Agree9%Strongly Agree14%Should Idaho ban elk farms?18thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyN=51218thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveyIndependent32%Republican44%Democrat18%Other4%Refused1%Don't Know1%Political Party AffiliationOTHER2.7%Democrat16.7%Republican42.0%Independent35.7%REFUSED2.0%DON'T KNOW0.8%Last YearN=512Very Liberal4%Don't Know/Not Sure/Refused2%Somewhat Liberal11%Very Conservative16%Somewhat Conservative37%Middle-of-the-Road30%Political Ideology18thAnnual Idaho Public Policy SurveySomewhat conservative27.4%Very conservative20.7%Don't Know/Refused1.2%Very liberal4.4%Somewhat liberal10.7%Middle-of-the-road35.6%Last YearN=512