Spring 1999 Middle Tennessee Poll data codebook
************************************************ Q: BELTLAW The state legislature is considering or has recently passed laws about a number of issues. We want to know how you feel about these issues. Do you feel that seatbelt use should be mandatory for all drivers and passengers? 1 Yes 2 No 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: BELTSTOP
Do you feel that law enforcement officers should be able to stop motorists when they see that they or their passengers are not wearing seatbelts? 1 Yes 2 No 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: EQPAY Should the legislature make certain that rural teachers are paid an equivalent salary to those in urban areas? 1 Yes 2 No 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: LOTTO Should the legislature take steps to allow a state lottery in Tennessee? 1 Yes 2 No 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: EDLOTTO What if the state designated all of its lottery profits for education? Would you approve of a state lottery then? 1 Yes 2 No 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: VOTLOTTO Would you favor or oppose giving each Tennessean who votes a chance at winning, say, a million dollars as a way to improve voter turnout in elections? 1 Favor 2 Oppose x Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: LOWERDUI Should the legislature lower the amount of alcohol needed to consider a driver intoxicated from point-one-oh to point-oh-eight? That is, should the legislature make it easier to charge and convict people of drunken driving? 1 Yes 2 No 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: GRADRIVE Currently teenagers are given a full drivers license when they pass all necessary tests. Some people are proposing that they should be given what is called a graduated license that gradually increases their privileges as they get older or pass more tests. Do you favor or oppose a graduated drivers license? 1 Favor graduated license 2 Oppose graduated license/favor full license 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: SMOKELAW Should laws on teen smoking be made tougher, remain about the same, or be made easier? 1 Be made easier 2 Remain same 3 Toughened 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: SMOKEBAN Do you think cities and counties should have the right to pass anti-smoking ordinances for restaurants and public buildings if they choose, or should this be determined by statewide laws? 1 Cities/counties have right 2 Statewide laws 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: HOMECARE Do you think that the state should make more home-based care available to the elderly and disabled as an alternative to nursing home care? 1 Yes 2 No 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: IMPRTCON There are several privately run prisons in Tennessee. Should these prisons be allowed to hold convicts brought in from other states? 1 Yes 2 No 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: HWYSPEND Because of all of the highway construction around Tennessee, some people feel that the state now has too much money to spend on highways. Others feel that, because of growth, all the highway spending is necessary. How do you feel? Do you feel that there is too much money to spend on highways or that all the spending is necessary? 1 Too much to spend on highways 2 All spending is necessary 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: ROADWORK The Tennessee Department of Transportation has been criticized for starting too many highway construction projects at the same time. Do you feel that too many were started at once, or not? 1 Too many started 2 Not too many started 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: CHARTSCH Governor Don Sundquist has proposed that Tennessee allow state funding of special-purpose charter schools that could be formed by parents, community groups, or even private firms. Charter schools might be exempt from certain state requirements but would receive state money. Those in favo27 of charter schools claim that they would foster innovation and improve education by giving regular public schools competition. Those opposed say they would hurt public education by channeling state funds to small groups with special interests without adequate regulation. Do you think charter schools are a good idea or a bad idea? 1 Good idea 2 Bad idea 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: CHARTLIC In some charter schools, teachers may not be required to be licensed like regular public school instructors. Teachers' unions oppose this lack of licensing. How do you feel? Do you think all teachers being paid by the state should be licensed, or do you think exceptions should be granted to teachers in some charter schools. 1 All licensed 2 Not all licensed in charter schools 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: LEGISPAY State legislators currently make about $16,000 per year fo27 their part-time duties, plus travel and office expenses and pay for service when the legislature is out of session. Do you think pay for state senators and representatives should be raised, stay the same, or be lowered? 1 Lowered 2 Same 3 Raised 33 DK 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: STAX Do you favor or oppose the governor's plan to eliminate the state sales tax on food? 1 Favor 2 Oppose 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: STAXBBIZ Would you favor or oppose removing the tax if doing so meant raising taxes on large businesses? 1 Favor 2 Oppose 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: STAXSBIZ Would you favor or oppose removing the tax if doing so meant raising taxes on small businesses? 1 Favor 2 Oppose 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: STAXMBIZ Would you favor or oppose removing the tax if doing so meant raising taxes on medium-sized businesses that currently don't pay some of the taxes other businesses pay? 1 Favor 2 Oppose 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: APGOV Do you approve or disapprove of the way Don Sundquist is handling his job as governor? 1 Approve 2 Disapprove 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: APLEG Do you approve or disapprove of the job the Democratic leaders in the Tennessee State Legislature are doing? (IF "DEPENDS," PROBE ONCE WITH: Overall do you approve o27 disapprove of the job the Democratic leaders in the Tennessee State Legislature are doing?") 1 Approve 2 Disapprove 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: APPREZ Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bill Clinton is handling his job as President? (IF "DEPENDS," PROBE ONCE WITH: Overall do you approve o27 disapprove of the way Bill Clinton is handling his job as president?) 1 Approve 2 Disapprove 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: BILLHIST President Clinton has been impeached, tried and acquitted by Congress. At this point, how do you think future generations will regard Clinton? Will they regard him as a great president, a good president, a fair president, or a poo27 president? 1 Poo27 2 Fai27 3 Good 4 Great 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: HISTCONG What about the current Congress? At this point, do you think future generations will regard this congress as a great Congress, a good Congress, a fair Congress, or a poo27 Congress? 1 Poo27 2 Fai27 3 Good 4 Great 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: HAVEKIDS Next, we'd like to ask you a few questions about education. First, do you currently have at least one child living with you who is high school aged or younger? 1 Yes 2 No 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: EDSAT1 On the whole, would you say you are satisfied o27 dissatisfied with your children's education? 1 Satisfied 2 Dissatisfied 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: EDSAT2 On the whole, would you say you are satisfied o27 dissatisfied with the education children are getting today? 1 Satisfied 2 Dissatisfied 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: COMMCOLL Please tell me whether you think each of the following types of schools does an excellent job, a good job, only a fai27 job, or a poor job of preparing its students for the future. Community and two-year colleges in Middle Tennessee. 1 Excellent 2 Good 3 Fair 4 Poor 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: VANDY Vanderbilt University 1 Excellent 2 Good 3 Fair 4 Poor 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: PRIVCOLL Smaller private colleges and universities in Middle Tennessee, such as Belmont University, David Lipscomb University, Martin Methodist College, and Trevecca Nazarene University. 1 Excellent 2 Good 3 Fair 4 Poor 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: BORCOLLS The state universities in Middle Tennessee, including Austin Peay State University, Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee State University, and Tennessee Technological University. 1 Excellent 2 Good 3 Fair 4 Poor 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: UTCOLLS The universities in the University of Tennessee System, including the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Martin. 1 Excellent 2 Good 3 Fair 4 Poor 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: TECHS State technical institutions and technology centers in Middle Tennessee 1 Excellent 2 Good 3 Fair 4 Poor 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: PUBK12 The public K-12 schools in Middle Tennessee 1 Excellent 2 Good 3 Fair 4 Poor 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: PRIVK12 Private K-12 schools in Middle Tennessee 1 Excellent 2 Good 3 Fair 4 Poor 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: COLCOUNT Do you think there are too many college graduates in Tennessee, about the right amount, or too few? 1 Too few 2 About right 3 Too many 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: UNIVCOMP How do you think Tennessee's state-supported colleges and universities compare with those in nearby states? Are they better, about the same, or not as good? 1 Better 2 About the same 3 Not as good 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: SPENDCOL A special panel appointed by Gov. Don Sundquist reports that no state-supported college or university ranks among the top 100 nationally, while state universities in North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and Florida score well. The panel recommends that more than 400 million dollars be spent in the next five years to improve Tennessee's state colleges and universities. Do you think this additional money should definitely be spent, probably be spend, or not spent at all? 1 Definitely be spent 2 Probably be spent 3 Not spent at all 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: UTBORMRG Currently, the state has two systems of colleges and universities governed by separate boards. One board controls the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Knoxville, Martin, and Memphis. Another board controls other state universities such as Austin Peay State University, Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee State University, and Tennessee Technological University. The governor's panel says such a system is not efficient. How do you feel? Do you think there should be one board for all Tennessee colleges and universities, or there be two separate boards, as we now have? 1 One board 2 Two boards 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q:SPTNCARE We are faced with many problems in Tennessee, none of which can be solved easily or inexpensively. I'm going to name some of these problems, and for each one I'd like you to tell me whether you think we're spending too much money on it, too little money, or about the right amount. First are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on TennCare, the program that insures poo27 people? 1 Too little 2 About right 3 Too much 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: SPWELFAR What about welfare programs for the poor? Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount? 1 Too little 2 About right 3 Too much 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: SPUNIVS What about state Universities? Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount [REPEAT RESPONSE SET OCCASIONALLY] 1 Too little 2 About right 3 Too much 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: SPCOLTEK What about Community Colleges and Technical Schools? 1 Too little 2 About right 3 Too much 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: SPHWYREP Highway maintenance? 1 Too little 2 About right 3 Too much 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: SPHWYBLD New highway construction? 1 Too little 2 About right 3 Too much 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: SPENVIRO The environment? 1 Too little 2 About right 3 Too much 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: SPHSEDUC Elementary and secondary education? 1 Too little 2 About right 3 Too much 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: SPLAWENF State law enforcement agencies? 1 Too little 2 About right 3 Too much 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: SPHCAPPD Programs for the handicapped? 1 Too little 2 About right 3 Too much 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: SPRTRDED Programs for the mentally retarded? 1 Too little 2 About right 3 Too much 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: SPFOSTER Foster care services? 1 Too little 2 About right 3 Too much 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: SPMHELTH Mental health? 1 Too little 2 About right 3 Too much 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: SPMTRANS And what about mass transportation, including bus and rail service? 1 Too little 2 About right 3 Too much 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: TOBMONEY As you may know, some states have sued major tobacco companies for money to pay for the cost of treating people with tobacco-related illnesses. The state of Tennessee, by agreeing not to sue, will receive $4.8 billion over the next 25 years from tobacco companies. Various groups are proposing to spend the money in different ways. How do you think Tennessee should spend it? [DO NOT READ LIST. PLACE RESPONDENT'S ANSWER IN APPROPRIATE CATEGORY, OR CHOOSE "OTHER"] 1 Care for elderly 6 Education 2 Aid to tobacco farmers 7 Return to taxpayers 3 Discouraging teen smoking 8 Othe27 4 Disease prevention 33 Don't know 5 Tax cut 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: TALKINT1 Now, I want to know, in general, how often do you talk about the following subjects. Do you talk about them often, sometimes, seldom, or never. How often do you talk about ... [PRESS THE SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE] ************************************************ Q: TALKFED [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT ...] What the President, the national government and the Congress are doing 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q:TALKLGOV [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT ...] What your state and local governments are doing 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q:TALKFORN [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT ...] What is happening in foreign countries 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q:TALKECON [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT ...] How the economy is doing 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q:TALKCRIM [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT ...] The crime situation and violence in society 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q:TALKSCHL [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT ...] What's going on in the schools and education 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: TALKINT2 Now, we would like to know some of the reasons you talk about some of these issues. First, what about national, state and local government, foreign affairs, and the economy? These all relate to government and politics, so let's just call all of these things government and politics. How often do you talk about government and politics for the following reasons: [PRESS SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE] ************************************************ Q:GOV1 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS ...] Because other people are talking about government and politics 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q:GOV2 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS BECAUSE ...] You need to vent your frustration about government and politics 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q:GOV3 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS BECAUSE ...] Government and politics is interesting to talk about. 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q:GOV4 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS BECAUSE ...] Government and politics affects your life directly. 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q:GOV5 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS BECAUSE ...] You can mobilize people to do something about government and politics 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q:GOV6 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS BECAUSE ...] Government and politics is in the news 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q:GOV7 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS BECAUSE ...] You want to learn more about government and politics 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q:GOV8 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS BECAUSE ...] People that you talk to know more about government and politics than you do 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q:GOV9 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS BECAUSE ...] You like to argue about government and politics. 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q:GOV10 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS BECAUSE ...] You want to understand government and politics better. 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q:GOV11 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS BECAUSE ...] The people you talk to about government and politics agree with you. 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q:GOV12 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS BECAUSE ...] Government and politics just gives you something to talk about. 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q:GOV13 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS BECAUSE ...] You want to hear what other people think about government and politics. 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q:GOV14 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS BECAUSE ...] You have an opinion regarding government and politics and want to convince others 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q:GOV15 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS BECAUSE ...] The people you talk to have an opinion regarding government and politics and you want them to convince you 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: TALKINT3 Now what about crime? How often do you talk about crime fo27 the following reasons? [PRESS SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE] ************************************************ Q: CRIME1 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT CRIME BECAUSE ...] Other people are talking about crime 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: CRIME2 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT CRIME BECAUSE ...] You need to vent your frustration about crime 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: CRIME3 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT CRIME BECAUSE ...] Crime is interesting to talk about. 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: CRIME4 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT CRIME BECAUSE ...] Crime affects your life directly. 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: CRIME5 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT CRIME BECAUSE ...] You can mobilize people to do something about crime 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: CRIME6 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT CRIME BECAUSE ...] Crime is in the news 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: CRIME7 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT CRIME BECAUSE ...] You want to learn more about crime 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: CRIME8 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT CRIME BECAUSE ...] People that you talk to know more about crime than you do 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: CRIME9 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT CRIME BECAUSE ...] You like to argue about crime. 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: CRIME10 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT CRIME BECAUSE ...] You want to understand crime better. 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: CRIME11 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT CRIME BECAUSE ...] The people you talk to about crime agree with you. 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: CRIME12 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT CRIME BECAUSE ...] Crime just gives you something to talk about. 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: CRIME13 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT CRIME BECAUSE ...] You want to hear what other people think about crime. 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: CRIME14 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT CRIME BECAUSE ...] You have an opinion regarding crime and want to convince others 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: CRIME15 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT CRIME BECAUSE ...] The people you talk to have an opinion regarding crime and you want them to convince you 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: TALKINT5 And now we want to know about education. How often do you talk about education for the following reasons? [PRESS SPACE BAR TO CONTINUE] ************************************************ Q: EDUC1 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT EDUCATION BECAUSE ...] Other people are talking about education 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: EDUC2 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT EDUCATION BECAUSE ...] You need to vent your frustration about education 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: EDUC3 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT EDUCATION BECAUSE ...] Education is interesting to talk about. 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: EDUC4 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT EDUCATION BECAUSE ...] Education affects your life directly. 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: EDUC5 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT EDUCATION BECAUSE ...] You can mobilize people to do something about education 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: EDUC6 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT EDUCATION BECAUSE ...] Education is in the news 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: EDUC7 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT EDUCATION BECAUSE ...] You want to learn more about education 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: EDUC8 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT EDUCATION BECAUSE ...] People that you talk to know more about education than you do 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: EDUC9 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT EDUCATION BECAUSE ...] You like to argue about education. 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: EDUC10 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT EDUCATION BECAUSE ...] You want to understand education better. 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: EDUC11 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT EDUCATION BECAUSE ...] The people you talk to about education agree with you. 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: EDUC12 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT EDUCATION BECAUSE ...] Education just gives you something to talk about. 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: EDUC13 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT EDUCATION BECAUSE ...] You want to hear what other people think about education. 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: EDUC14 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT EDUCATION BECAUSE ...] You have an opinion regarding education and want to convince others 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: EDUC15 [HOW OFTEN DO YOU TALK ABOUT EDUCATION BECAUSE ...] The people you talk to have an opinion regarding education and you want them to convince you 1 Never 2 Seldom 3 Sometimes 4 Often 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: PRISONS As you may have heard, some state leaders think that Tennessee should hire a private company to run the state's prison system. Others think the state should continue to run its own prison system. We want to know how you feel. Do you think turning the state's prison system over to a private company is a good idea or a bad idea? 1 Good idea 2 Bad idea 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: PRISAFF On a scale of 1 to 6, where 1 means that the issue affects you personally *very little* and 6 means that you really feel *deeply involved* in this issue, where would you place yourself on the prison privatization issue? 1 Affects very little 33 Don't know 2 27 Refused 3 4 5 6 Deeply involved ************************************************ Q: PRISINFO [READ THIS INTRO THE FIRST TIME ONLY:] On some issues people feel that they really have all the information that they need in order to form a strong opinion on that issue, while on other issues they would like to get additional information before solidifying their opinion. On a scale of 1 to 6, where 1 means that you feel you definitely need *more* information on the issue and 6 means that you do *not* feel you need to have any more information on the issue, where would you place yourself on the prison privatization issue? 1 Need more info 33 Don't know 2 27 Refused 3 4 5 6 Do not need more info ************************************************ Q: PRISTALK On a scale of 1 to 6, where 1 means that you and you27 friends and family *rarely, if ever,* discuss the issue and 6 means that you and your friends and family discuss it relatively *often,* where would you place yourself on the prison privatization issue? 1 Rarely discuss x Don't know 2 r Refused 3 4 5 6 Discuss often ************************************************ Q: PRISCHNG [READ THIS INTRO THE FIRST TIME ONLY] People have told us that on some issues they come to a conclusion and they stick with that position, no matter what. On other issues, however, they may take a position, but they know that they could change their minds pretty easily. On a scale of 1 to 6, where 1 means that you could change your mind *very easily* on this issue and 6 means that you are likely to *stick with your position* no matter what, where would you place yourself on the prison privatization issue? 1 Change mind easily x Don't know 2 r Refused 3 4 5 6 Stick with position ************************************************ Q: COMMRAIL As the population in Middle Tennessee increases, the interstates and other major roads have become increasingly crowded. Some people propose to solve this problem by building more roads or adding lanes; others say that a commuter railway system is needed. If you had only a limited amount of money, would you choose to spend it on a commute27 rail system or on more roads? 1 Commuter rail 2 More roads 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: RAILAFF On a scale of 1 to 6, where 1 means that the issue affects you personally *very little* and 6 means that you really feel *deeply involved* in this issue, where would you place yourself on the commuter rail issue? 1 Affects very little 33 Don't know 2 27 Refused 3 4 5 6 Deeply involved ************************************************ Q: RAILINFO [READ THIS INTRO THE FIRST TIME ONLY:] On some issues people feel that they really have all the information that they need in order to form a strong opinion on that issue, while on other issues they would like to get additional information before solidifying their opinion. On a scale of 1 to 6, where 1 means that you feel you definitely need *more* information on the issue and 6 means that you do *not* feel you need to have any more information on the issue, where would you place yourself on the commute27 rail issue? 1 Need more info 33 Don't know 2 27 Refused 3 4 5 6 Do not need more info ************************************************ Q: RAILTALK On a scale of 1 to 6, where 1 means that you and you27 friends and family *rarely, if ever,* discuss the issue and 6 means that you and your friends and family discuss it relatively *often,* where would you place yourself on the commuter rail issue? 1 Rarely discuss x Don't know 2 r Refused 3 4 5 6 Discuss often ************************************************ Q: RAILCHNG [READ THIS INTRO THE FIRST TIME ONLY] People have told us that on some issues they come to a conclusion and they stick with that position, no matter what. On other issues, however, they may take a position, but they know that they could change their minds pretty easily. On a scale of 1 to 6, where 1 means that you could change your mind *very easily* on this issue and 6 means that you are likely to *stick with your position* no matter what, where would you place yourself on the commuter rail issue? 1 Change mind easily x Don't know 2 r Refused 3 4 5 6 Stick with position ************************************************ Q: CAPPUN Do you favor or oppose the death penalty for people convicted of murder? 1 Favor 2 Oppose 33 Don't know 27 Refused ************************************************ Q: CAPAFF On a scale of 1 to 6, where 1 means that the issue affects you personally *very little* and 6 means that you really feel *deeply involved* in this issue, where would you place yourself on the death penalty issue? 1 Affects very little 33 Don't know 2 27 Refused 3 4 5 6 Deeply involved ************************************************ Q: CAPINFO [READ THIS INTRO THE FIRST TIME ONLY:] On some issues people feel that they really have all the information that they need in order to form a strong opinion on that issue, while on other issues they would like to get additional information before solidifying their opinion. On a scale of 1 to 6, where 1 means that you feel you definitely need *more* information on the issue and 6 means that you do *not* feel you need to have any more information on the issue, where would you place yourself on the death penalty issue? 1 Need more info 33 Don't know 2 27 Refused 3 4 5 6 Do not need more info ************************************************ Q: CAPTALK On a scale of 1 to 6, where 1 means that you and you27 friends and family *rarely, if ever,* discuss the issue and 6 means that you and your friends and family discuss it relatively *often,* where would you place yourself on the death penalty issue? 1 Rarely discuss x Don't know 2 r Refused 3 4 5 6 Discuss often ************************************************ Q: CAPCHNG [READ THIS INTRO THE FIRST TIME ONLY] People have told us that on some issues they come to a conclusion and they stick with that position, no matter what. On other issues, however, they may take a position, but they know that they could change their minds pretty easily. On a scale of 1 to 6, where 1 means that you could change your mind *very easily* on this issue and 6 means that you are likely to *stick with your position* no matter what, where would you place yourself on the death penalty issue? 1 Change mind easily x Don't know 2 r Refused 3 4 5 6 Stick with position ************************************************ Q: NPDAYS Now just some final questions to help us analyze the poll's results. In the past seven days, between (TODAY'S DAY OF THE WEEK) of last week and yesterday, how many days did you read o27 look at a daily newspaper? 1 One 2 Two 3 Three 4 Four 5 Five 6 Six 7 Seven 8 None 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: TVDAYS In the past seven days, between (TODAY'S DAY OF THE WEEK) of last week and yesterday, how many days did you watch a nightly television news program? 1 One 2 Two 3 Three 4 Four 5 Five 6 Six 7 Seven 8 None 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: NPRDAYS In the past seven days, between (TODAY'S DAY OF THE WEEK) of last week and yesterday, how many days did you listen to National Public Radio? 1 One 2 Two 3 Three 4 Four 5 Five 6 Six 7 Seven 8 None 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: HOMENET Do you use the Internet from your home, either to check e-mail or browse the World Wide Web? 1 Yes 2 No 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: WORKNET What about from work? (IF NECESSARY: Do you use the Internet from work, either to check e-mail or browse the World Wide Web?) 1 Yes 2 No 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: EDLETTER Now, please tell me whether you have used any of these forms of expression in the last five years. Have you ... Written a letter to a newspaper, magazine or television news program? 1 Yes 2 No 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: CALLEDIN Called in to a radio or television talk show? 1 Yes 2 No 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: CONTCAND Written a letter to, phoned or otherwise contacted a candidate for public office or an elected official? 1 Yes 2 No 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: GOTOMEET Attended a public meeting of an organization interested in public affairs? 1 Yes 2 No 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: TALKMEET Spoken out at a public meeting of an organization interested in public affairs? 1 Yes 2 No 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: PROTEST Taken part in a public demonstration or march? 1 Yes 2 No 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: WORKCAMP Worked in a political campaign? 1 Yes 2 No 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: UPTODATE Some people seem to follow what's going on in government and public affairs most of the time, whether there's an election going on or not. Others aren't that interested. Would you say that you follow what's going on in government and public affairs ... most of the time, some of the time, only now and then, or hardly at all? 1 Hardly at all 2 Only now and then 3 Some of the time 4 Most of the time 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: veep Now, here are a few questions about the government, in Washington. Many people don't know the answers to these questions, so if there are some you don't know, just tell me, and we'll go on. First, do you happen to know what job or political office is now held by Al Gore? 1 Vice president 2 Any incorrect answer 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: jdreview Whose responsibility is it to determine if a law is constitutional or not ... is it the president, the Congress, or the Supreme Court? 1 Supreme Court 2 Any incorrect answer 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: twothrds How much of a majority is required for the U.S. Senate and House to override a presidential veto? 1 Two-thirds 2 Any incorrect answer 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: housmaj Do you happen to know which party currently has the most members in the U.S. House of Representatives? 1 Republican 2 Any incorrect answer 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: conparty Would you say that one of the parties is more conservative than the other on a national level? (IF YES, READ: "Which party is more conservative?") 1 No 2 Republican 3 Any incorrect answer besides "No" 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: regvote Are you registered to vote in Tennessee? 1 Yes, registered 2 No, not registered 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: oftvote How often would you say you vote? Always, nearly always, part of the time, or seldom? 1 Seldom 2 Part of the time 3 Nearly always 4 Always 5 (DO NOT READ) Never 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: LIBCON Many people feel that their political views are too comple33 to describe with a single label. But if you had to choose one of the following categories, how would you describe you27 political orientation? Are you far left, liberal, middle of the road conservative, or far right? 1 Far left 2 Liberal 3 Middle of the road 4 Conservative 5 Far right 33 DO NOT READ) Don't know/Not applicable 27 DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: PARTYID Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a Republican, Democrat, Independent, or what? 1 Republican 2 Democrat 3 Independent 4 Other 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know/not applicable 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: employed As of last week, were you working full-time, working part-time, going to school, keeping house, retired, or what? (IF MORE THAN ONE, RECORD FIRST ANSWER ON THE LIST) 1 Working full-time (35 hours/week or more) 2 Working part-time 3 Employed, but on vacation, sick, etc. 4 Unemployed/laid off 5 Retired 6 In school 7 Keeping house 8 Other 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: educ What is the last grade in school you completed? (READ LIST IF NECESSARY) 1 Never went to school 2 Elementary school (1-8) 3 Some high school (9-11) 4 High school graduate (12) 5 Some trade school 6 Some college 7 College graduate 8 Some graduate study 9 Master's degree 10 Doctor's degree 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused (TYPE ANSWER, THEN PRESS "ENTER" TO CONTINUE) ************************************************ Q: yearborn What year were you born in? (TYPE IN ANSWER, THEN HIT "ENTER" TO PROCEED) (ENTER A ZERO IF RESPONDENT REFUSED): 19 ************************************************ Q: inc Which of the following income categories best describes your total household income in 1998? Was it ... (READ CATEGORIES) 1 10,000 or less 2 10,001 to 15,000 3 15,001 to 20,000 4 20,001 to 25,000 5 25,001 to 30,000 6 30,001 to 35,000 7 35,001 to 40,000 8 40,001 to 45,000 9 45,001 to 50,000 10 50,001 to 75,000 11 75,001 to 99,999 12 100,000 or more 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused (TYPE ANSWER AND PRESS "ENTER" TO CONTINUE) ************************************************ Q: TNYEARS How many years have you lived in Tennessee? (ENTER 0 IF LESS THAN 1) (TYPE ANSWER AND PRESS "ENTER" TO CONTINUE) ************************************************ Q: county What county do you live in? 1 Bedford 11 Grundy 21 Marshall 31 Stewart 88 Don't know 2 Cannon 12 Hickman 22 Maury 32 Sumner 99 Refused 3 Cheatham 13 Houston 23 Montgomery 33 Trousdale 4 Clay 14 Humphreys 24 Moore 34 Van Buren 5 Coffee 15 Jackson 25 Overton 35 Warren 6 De Kalb 16 Lawrence 26 Perry 36 Wayne 7 Davidson 17 Lewis 27 Putnam 37 White 8 Dickson 18 Lincoln 28 Robertson 38 Williamson 9 Franklin 19 Macon 29 Rutherford 39 Wilson 10 Giles 20 Marion 30 Smith 40 Other (TYPE ANSWER, THEN PRESS "ENTER" TO CONTINUE) ************************************************ Q: gochurch Lots of things come up that keep people from attending religious services even if they want to. Thinking about your life these days, do you ever attend religious services, apart from occasional weddings, baptisms or funerals? 1 Yes 2 No 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: oftchrch Do you go to religious services almost every week, once or twice a month, a few times a year, or never? 1 Neve27 2 A few times a year 3 Once a week 4 Almost every week 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: typchrch Do you mostly attend a place of worship that is Christian, Jewish, Islamic, or something else? 1 Christian 2 Jewish 3 Islamic 4 Something else 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: typeprot Are you Church of Christ, Methodist, Southern Baptist, Catholic, or what? 1 Southern Baptist 2 Other Baptist 3 Church of Christ 4 Episcopalian or Anglican 5 Lutheran 6 United Methodist 7 Other Methodist 8 Presbyterian 9 Catholic 10 Something else 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused (TYPE ANSWER AND PRESS "ENTER" TO CONTINUE) ************************************************ Q: hispanic Do you consider yourself of Hispanic origin or descent? 1 Yes 2 No 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: race Do you consider yourself white, black or African-American, Asian, Native-American or some other race or races? 1 White 2 Black or African-American 3 Asian or Pacific Islander 4 Native American or Alaskan Native 5 Other 33 (DO NOT READ) Don't know 27 (DO NOT READ) Refused ************************************************ Q: permit OK, here's my last question. We make our poll results available to academic researchers and news reporters as well as to the general public. Sometimes, these people want to talk further with people like you who have responded to the poll. Would you mind making you27 answers to the poll available to these people along with your name and phone number in case they want to contact you? You certainly don't have to. Saying "yes" would mean giving up your anonymity, but it also might mean getting interviewed for a newspaper article or TV news story about one or more of the poll's topics. (IF OK, TYPE NAME BELOW, THEN PRESS "ENTER" TO CONTINUE. FOR EXAMPLE:) Jane Doe (IF "NOT OK," PRESS "ENTER" TO CONTINUE) ************************************************ Q: gender That's the end of the interview. I really appreciate your time. Goodbye. (HANG UP, THEN, WITHOUT ASKING, RECORD WHAT YOU PERCEIVE TO BE THE RESPONDENT'S GENDER) 1 (DO NOT READ) MALE 2 (DO NOT READ) FEMALE ************************************************