CSLI Service Learning Exit Meeting

Based on Recent Surveys of Anne Arundel County Residents

By Dan NatafDirector, Center for the Study of Local IssuesAnne Arundel Community Collegewww2.aacc.edu/csliddnataf@aacc.eduPLP: Economic Conditions and Citizens Experiences and PerceptionsSept. 13, 2013Center for the Study of Local Issues:Semi-annual surveyCSLI Part of the Sarbanes Center for Public and Community ServiceSurveysConducted each March and OctoberStudent volunteers participate to learn social science research methods (engaged learning) and community serviceInvolves 70+/- students as telephone interviewersSurvey contents: Benchmark questions on right/wrong direction, most important problem, the various economic issues, demographicsVariable questions on current policy choices and major events400-500 Anne Arundel County residents 18 or over

County: Right or Wrong Direction? Spring 99 to Spring 13Right/Wrong Direction County, State, Nation, Respondent

RightWrongUnsure/Dont knowCounty493318State355510Nation246413Respondent741412LevelsDem.% rightRep.Dem-Rep.UnaffiliatedCounty58382050State54123237Nation3883027Respondent7472272Most Important Problem: Fall 2006 to Spring 2013Economy continues drop as problem in March 2013Economic Conditions: County, Maryland, USAPercent saying excellent or goodCost of living indicatorsHousing affordabilityOther economic indicatorsEconomic Conditions and IncomeConditionOverallUnder $75,000$75,000 and overWages lagging 596755Recent salary increase343138Possible unemployment*192715Found better/new job141316Loss stocks/retirement323829Foreclosure*7146No affordable housing*11217Cost of transportation *273920Cost of utilities*314922Delay in purchase424741Health insurance*324922Taxes too high626462Economic Conditions over the next 12 Months

Spring 2013BetterSameWorseUnsure/NATotalEconomic growth 3139246100Unemployment2432377100Inflation932528101Your personal financial situation2358164101Retirement Planning/AgeAge Group% Very importantAge of retirement(expected)18-30465931-404141-507551-607161-656766 and over5041Overall62County Executive: Top PriorityPercentCitingExamplesNon-policy24Institutional improvements20Change the way the county has been run, Clean house, Build citizen confidence in government, Pay more attention to details, Avoid scandal troubles, Deal with corruption, Ethics/ethical governance, Honesty and awareness of what is going on Personal improvements2Improving her experience, Get more familiar with the county, Increase visibility to the publicEfficiency Improvements2Streamline government, Analyze the efficiency of county governmentPolicy69Economy15Jobs, Help small businesses, Jobs for young people and college students, Promoting businesses Education12Maintain school funding, Build more/better schools, Make schools secure, Help education Budget10Fiscal management, Get rid of excess spending, Control government expenditures, Stop inefficient spendingTaxes10Get a handle on taxes, Lower taxes, Change the tax cap to raise taxes, Lower property taxesTransportation5Fix county roads, Deal with traffic congestionEnvironment3Clean up the Bay, Take care of natural resources, Deal with run-offService improvements3Improve police and emergency services staffing, Increase teacher pay, Upgrade county technology, Improve services for the disabledGrowth2Stop excess development, OverpopulationCrime2Lower crime, Better police protection, Improve public safetyOther policy improvements7Gun control, Healthcare, Gas prices, More frequent trash pickup, Improve housingGeneral comments2Think of the general welfare of the county, Move the county in a positive directionUnsure4Total99State and Local Issues: By Party (% favor)OverallDemsRepsUnaffiliatedHaving handgun purchasers be required to complete a safety course prior to purchase82917185Having handgun purchasers be fingerprinted at the time of purchase78886385Having those seeking to purchase a handgun pay a $100 fee at the time of purchase45573344Repealing the death penalty and replacing it with life without the possibility of parole 39502836Providing curbside composting pickup66716164Expanding wind energy financed by a monthly $1.50 fee on residential BGE customers43543139Paying an annual fee of $85 to help pay for storm water management and Bay clean-up36442640Allowing county charter schools tap into the same construction funding for building facilities currently used by regular public schools39334635Allowing counties to increase the sales tax on gasoline sales to improve roads.21271324Presidential job approvalFall 2007 to Spring 2013 (% approving)Presidential Job Approval by Party RegistrationFall 2009 to Spring 2013Obamas Top PriorityPriorityPercentageSpending6Budget16Taxes4Debt/deficit6Total32Economy24Jobs15Total39Bipartisanship/work with Congress7End foreign wars4Domestic policies other7Foreign policies - other3Misc.8Total29Total overall100