1. 1 Public Opinion and Issues in Anne Arundel County: A Leadership Anne Arundel Presentation May 12, 2006 by Dan Nataf, Ph.D 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 LAA Presentation – May 12, 2006 The Center for the Study of Local Issues: Overview CSLI conducts public interest and private surveys each semester (since 1978) Respondents randomly chosen from universe of listed telephone numbers combined with computer generated numbers Typical sample size: 300-525 respondents; students used as interviewers – Spring, 2006 – 401 respondents Each survey includes demographic and attitude/behavior questions, including such themes as: –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. 3 LAA Presentation: May 12, 2006 The Center for the Study of Local Issues: Web Site - Homepage

4. 4 LAA Presentation – May 12, 2006 Most Important Issues Facing AA County Residents – 1995-2006 - Trends for Major Issue Areas

5. 5 LAA Presentation – May 12, 2006 Most Important Issues Facing AA County Residents – Spring 2006, Concern about the economy rises

6. 6 Economic optimism – “ Thinking about our county's economy, how would you rate economic conditions in Anne Arundel County today -- excellent, good, only fair, or poor?” LAA Presentation – May 12, 2006 Focus on the Economy: Job Optimism with Inflation Anxieties National County

7. 7 LAA Presentation – May 12, 2006 Economic Optimism - Perception of Issues in 2010 Negative expectations for all major issue areas except economy

8. 8 LAA Presentation – May 12, 2006 Economic Anxiety - Concerns about the cost of living Cost factor Very serious Somewhat serious Not very serious No answer The cost of housing6523110 The cost of utilities such as electricity or natural gas 632980 The cost of gasoline623080 The cost of health care5828112 Not having enough money for retirement 5724163 The cost of education5129165 The cost of property taxes4937122

9. 9 LAA Presentation – May 12, 2006 Anxiety unevenly spread: Income and % saying “very serious” Housing Cost0- $50,000 $50,001 to $100,000 $100,001 and over Overall Health Care79634660 Money for Retirement73644359 Gasoline70625362 Education64544754 Housing76666165 Property taxes53554050 Utilities65 5564

10. 10 LAA Presentation – May 12, 2006 Age and % saying “very serious” 18-2930-4445-5960 +Overall Utilities Cost5257647764 Property Taxes4344506150 Gasoline6556596962 Housing67666365 Health Care6655596260 Money for Retirement6562525859 Education6748 5854

11. 11 LAA Presentation – May 12, 2006 Gender and % saying “very serious” Item WomenMen Overall Gasoline705462 Money for Retirement 635359 Utilities Cost 685964 Housing696165 Education575054 Health Care 625660 Property Taxes 534850

12. 12 LAA Presentation – May 12, 2006 Race and % saying “very serious” African- Americans Whites Overall Gasoline785962 Health Care735860 Money for Retirement 695759 Housing716465 Education575354 Utilities Cost 6764 Property Taxes 504850

13. 13 Attribute citedPercentage Purchase price Median: $150-175,000 39% A type that is lacking in AA County 20% Housing type – apartments, townhouses, section 8 19% User type – low income, poor9% Other12% Total100% LAA Presentation – May 12, 2006 What is “affordable housing?” Fall 2002 Is the lack of affordable housing in Anne Arundel County a problem? Yes 54% No 34% Don’t know 12%

14. 14 LAA Presentation – May 12, 2006 Main Economic Challenge for the Next Decade (Fall 2005) Challenge% Citing Managing growth/development31 Providing affordable housing19 Providing proper skills/education for workers 19 Infrastructure, roads10 Providing enough jobs9 Govt. budget problems/services3 Gas prices2 Taxes2 Other5

15. 15 LAA Presentation: May 12, 2006 Effectiveness of County Growth Policies (Fall 2004) How effective have County policies been regarding growth and planning?

16. 16 LAA Presentation: May 12, 2006 Approaches for Managing Growth/Transportation (Fall 1998) Approach to growth and transportationYesNo Build or upgrade highly congested roads and intersections in the county 7713 Create a local jitney bus service7121 Increase bus availability to major cities (Balt/DC)6922 Make it easier to get o MARC trains6720 Make it easier to find other people with whom to carpool6326 Severely limit new residential development – higher impact fees 5433 Put moratorium on new residential development in your area5335 Reduce fares on public transportation5228 Allow more intense development of areas well served by public transportation 4345

17. 17 LAA Presentation: May 12, 2006 Confidence in/perceived preparedness of local authorities – meet challenges or terrorist strike/natural disasters (Fall 2005) Preparedness/ Confidence Econ.Environ.TerrorDisaster Very8711 Somewhat45384249 Not very41504436 No answer7634

18. 18 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends How prepared are local authorities in event of terrorist strike – 2001-2006 Katrina

19. 19 LAA Presentation: May 12, 2006 Historical Perspective: How has County dealt with issues? (Fall 1999) I am going to read you a list of problems facing the County. Please tell me how well you think the County has dealt with these problems over the last year. Has the problem gotten better, stayed about the same, or gotten worse? Issue Gotten better Stayed about the same Gotten worse Better- Worse Improving the local economy43461033 Improving the overall quality of life in our County 34521420 Controlling crime30541614 Improving the environment3539269 Reducing poverty and homelessness185824-6 Improving ethics in government205030-10 Improving the efficiency of local government 185428-10 Keeping taxes low155926-11 Improving the academic performance of our children 273439-12 Planning growth and development253045-20 Reducing traffic congestion151670-55

20. 20 LAA Presentation: May 12, 2006 Crime Problem 1999-2005

21. 21 LAA Presentation: May 12, 2006 Crime: Safety and Security in County and Neighborhood (2005)

22. 22 LAA Presentation: May 12, 2006 Crime: Been a Victim of Crime? (1997-2005)

23. 23 LAA Presentation: May 12, 2006 Crime: Improve Safety (Average 1997-2005) One Thing to Most Improve Safety

24. 24 LAA Presentation: May 12, 2006 Education – Perceived Value to Taxpayers? Spend more, same or less on public service? (Spring 2004) ServiceMore % Same % Less % Don’t% know Public schools712351 Police603541 Fire534322 Community college464473 Seniors’ services444574 Roads434963 Average percentage4146113 Environmental programs 3944152 Social services3443175 Health department325495 Libraries266761 Parks and recreation2657162 Planning and zoning1342397

25. 25 LAA Presentation: May 12, 2006 Would proposals help, hurt or have no effect on the quality of public schools (Spring 1996) HelpHurtNo effect HelpHurtNo effect Add Teaching Aides in Classrooms 9117 Increase Local Community Control over Schools 691120 Reduce Class Size8929 Provide More Elective Courses in Higher Grades 661321 Give Teachers More Power when Dealing with Disruptive Students 8687 Allow more variety in the curriculum 601524 Emphasize a "Return to Basics" Approach to Education 8659Change the School Board selection process 60833 Provide More Assistance to Special Education 85410Provide More Financial Assistance to Schools doing Poorly on Standardized Tests 551331 Encourage Flexibility in Teaching Methods 8398Add some Specialized Programs521533 Increase Teacher Salaries82315Introduce School Prayers521731 Start some Countywide "Magnet" Schools 79714Place Some Schools on a Year Round Schedule 492427 Create a Special High School for Disruptive Students 761312Redistrict schools more frequently 263936

26. 26 LAA Presentation: May 12, 2006 If the County ends the year with a surplus, which of the following would you prefer to see happen? (Fall 2005) Proposal% The County spends it on high priority areas28 The County keeps it for a ‘rainy day’ when it might be needed, such as an emergency 19 The County sends it back to taxpayers as a tax refund15 The County uses it to lower taxes next year30 Other answer5 No answer, unsure2

27. 27 LAA Presentation: May 12, 2006 General orientation – cut programs or cut spending? (Spring 2003, Fall 2003) ProposalSpring 2003Fall 2003 Cut programs4034 Increase taxes3634 Other--18 Don’t know2414 Total100

28. 28 LAA Presentation: May 12, 2006 Revenue enhancement – Income taxes (Spring 2003, Fall 2003) ApproachFavorOppose Unsure Increase income taxes for everyone An increase in state income taxes2672 3 Increasing the County’s local income tax rate2472 5 Increase income taxes on business and the “rich” Increasing the corporate income tax rate by 1 percent 6335 2 Placing a 3 percent surcharge on the income tax of people who make $500,000 or more annually 7326 1

29. 29 LAA Presentation: May 12, 2006 Revenue enhancement – Sales/gasoline taxes (Spring 2003, Fall 2003) FavorOpposeUnsure Increase the state sales tax by 1 percent, from 5 to 6 percent 31662 An increase in the general sales tax46532 An increase in the state gasoline tax29692 Higher taxes on gasoline to encourage use of more fuel efficient vehicles (Fall 2005) 20764

30. 30 LAA Presentation: May 12, 2006 Revenue enhancement – User/Specific Fees (Fall 2003) ApproachFavorOpposeUnsure Creating specific taxes to fund County public safety such as fire & police County 53435 Increasing impact fees on new housing development in AA 65305 Creating a $2.50 surcharge on monthly sewage fees to help upgrade waste water treatment plants 65314 Legalizing slot machines in Maryland62336

31. 31 LAA Presentation: May 12, 2006 Expenditure reduction (Spring 2003) ApproachFavorOpposeUnsure Postponing fully funding the Thornton Plan for public education 324720 Layoffs of state and County employees 26696 Reducing salaries of state employees 14815 Cutting back on state services 16777 Reducing financial support for higher education 18784

32. 32 LAA Presentation: May 12, 2006 Expenditure reduction – Identify ways to cut govt. spending (open-ended) (Spring 2003) Approach (N=85)FavorCases Reduce government salaries1513 Reduce politicians salaries1210 Reduce government perks76 Cut waste, administration119 Cut back on specific programs3933 Other miscellaneous1614 Total10085