Georgia's State of the State Poll - 2015

State of the StateGeorGia’S

Poll

Costas Spirou, Ph.D. and Min Kim, Ph.D.Department of Government and Sociology

Georgia College

TALLULAH GORGE

1 Introduction3 Executive Summary5 Overall Direction

and Key Issues 9 Economy11 Government17 Education21 Health Care25 Immigration25 Gun Control26 Same-Sex Marriage27 Senate Bill 36529 Survey Methodology

Contents

2015 Georgia’s State of the State Poll | 1

Georgia’s State of the State Poll (GSSP) is a statewide general survey ofadults, age 18 and over, who are residents of the State of Georgia. TheGSSP survey was conducted for the second time in the spring of 2015and included a combination of community, governmental, economicand special topical issue questions. Demographic data — age, location,gender, race, education, political ideology and income — offeradditional information. A central aspect of public policymaking is theneed for relevant, timely and accurate information. The GSSP willcontinue to make a significant contribution to effective planning byengaging the state’s citizenry and increasing the understanding ofvarious issues among policymakers and their constituents. The goalsof the GSSP are to:

• Gain a better understanding of resident attitudes and perceptions onkey social, economic and political issues;

• Educate Georgians about various issues facing the state;• Contribute to a statewide conversation; and • Inform current policy debates in order to improve the socioeconomic

well-being of the state’s residents.

We would like to thank the Office of the Provost and the Office of theCollege of Arts and Sciences Dean for their support of this project. Anumber of students assisted with this effort including Lauren Crapo,Sophia Markowitz, graduate students in the Master in PublicAdministration program. Lea Dickinson and Erin Sims,undergraduate students in the Political Science program, contributedto data analysis. Jon Scott was invaluable in helping us prepare the2015 report.

Costas Spirou, Ph.D and Min Kim, Ph.DDepartment of Government and SociologyGeorgia College

2015 Georgia’s State of the State Poll


TOWN SQUARE IN DALLAS


executive SummaryThe Department of Government and Sociology at Georgia College &State University has conducted its second Georgia’s State of the StatePoll to find out about key issues facing the state and information aboutour political leaders. The survey was conducted from February 9-16,2015 by Survey Sampling International (SSI), a leading national firm.The margin of error for the weighted sample is +/- 4.4 percentagepoints.

among the respondents, the key highlights are:• Georgians continue to be optimistic about the direction of the state.• Education and jobs are the two most important issues facing the state.

Transportation and taxes also emerged as important concerns thisyear. For Hispanic residents, the issue of immigration is anadditional concern.

• Georgians are more optimistic than last year about the economy.While they are still dissatisfied with the economic developmentefforts, they report slightly higher rates of satisfaction compared tolast year.

• The Federal and County governments are the most trusted levels ofgovernment.

• The majority of Georgians continue to be dissatisfied with publiceducation and, like last year, they would be willing to invest moremoney to improve the system.

• Georgians favor the creation of charter schools and support theCommon Core Standards Initiative.

• Opposition to ObamaCare: Affordable Care Act continues from lastyear.

• Georgians are evenly split on the “Safe Carry Protection Act-gunseverywhere.”

• Georgians strongly favor legalizing medical marijuana but stronglyoppose legalizing same-sex marriage.

• Georgians also favor legislation that would help rehabilitatedoffenders re-enter society by removing barriers to employment,housing and education.

2015 Georgia’s State of the State Poll


TYBEE ISLAND


More than half (57.7%) ofGeorgians think that the state ismoving in the Right Direction,with 25.7% indicating that thestate is moving in the WrongDirection.

The most important issuesfacing the state are Education(21.3%), Jobs (19.8%), HealthCare (5%) and Immigration(5%). Among Other Issues,Transportation (16.9%) andTaxation (12.8%) are the mostimportant to Georgians.Residents from the middlepart of the state report thehighest concern with Jobs(24.5%). Women report greatconcern with Education(24.4%), African-Americanswith Jobs (31.6%) andHispanics with Immigration(42.2%).

overall Direction and Key issues

Did Not Know/Did Not Respond

Wrong DirectionRight Direction0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

State’s Direction…

Most important issue…

57.7

25.7

16.6

19.821.3

5 53.2

0.9

32.1


Most important issue…

0

5

10

15

20

25

Women

Men

0

5

10

15

20

25

RacismCrimeImmigrationHealth CareEducationJobs

White

African-American

Hispanic

RacismCrimeImmigrationHealth CareEducationJobs0

10

20

30

40

50

15.5

24.5

22.2

19.1 18.9 18.8

23.1 22.3

4.6

7.1 7.7

3.7

13.4

2.71.4

4.1 4.2

0.8

3.1 3.5

0.5

3.4

0.9 0

18.5

21.1

24.4

7.5

2.43.9

6.2

3.4 31.4

0.4

18.2

31.6

0

21.419.6 19.1

4.3

9.2

0 1.7 0.5

42.2

3.7 0.5 0 0.4 0.6 0

17.9


THE PERGOLA, GEORGIA COLLEGE


SAVANNAH


economyGeorgians believe that a yearfrom now the state’s economywill be in about the SameCondition (42.1%); will be Better(37.4%); will get Worse (14.4%).

0

10

20

30

40

50


Very Dissatisfied

Somewhat Dissatified

Somewhat Satisfied

Very Satisfied0

10

20

30

40

50

economy a year from now…

economic Development efforts…

14.4

42.1

37.4

6.1

11.7

42.7

20.9 19.3

5.4

Almost a fifth (19.3%), expressStrong Dissatisfaction with theeconomic development effortstaking place in their area. Just11.7% express StrongSatisfaction. Among residents ofMiddle Georgia, 49.6% are eitherSomewhat Dissatisfied (23.8%) orVery Dissatisfied (25.8%).


economic Development efforts…

HISTORIC MILL AND WATERFALL IN MARIETTA

Metro Atlanta

South

Middle

North

0

10

20

30

40

50

60


Very Dissatisfied

Somewhat Dissatisfied

Somewhat Satisfied

Very Satisfied

8.76.1 5.8

16.5

42.9

36.6

50.2

41.5

19.423.8

13.8

23.1 23.125.8 26.4

13.7

5.87.7

3.9 5.2


Georgians trust the variouslevels of government, Federal(21.6%), County (21.9%), City(17.5%) and State (14.8%). Thelevel of trust toward theFederal government is highestamong African Americans(36.7%), among those residingin the Atlanta metropolitanarea (27.2%), among Liberals(35.3%), while forConservatives the level of trustis at just 12.8%. Hispanics(30.5%), Conservatives (27%)and South Georgians (36.6%)report the highest levels ofsatisfaction with the CountyGovernment.

Government


CityCountyStateFederal0

5

10

15

20

25

Liberal

Moderate

Conservative


5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40


Most Trusted level of Government…


21.6

14.8

21.9

17.5

24.2

35.3

25.2

12.8

5.2

24.1

26.9

15.8

27

14.1

24.1

18.4 18.4

22.1

17.8

12.8


Most Trusted level of Government…White

African-American

Hispanic


10

20

30

40

50


13.3

36.7

27.1

19.6

10.2

0

27.2

13.4

30.5

20.8

16.5

0

19.223.2

42.5

Metro Atlanta

South

Middle

North

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40


CityCountyStateFederal


13.7

21.1

14.8

27.2

14.3

19.6

14.613.716.5

17.6

36.6

19.7

25.6

13.615 16.5

29.928.1

19

23



County/CityStateFederal0

10

20

30

40

50

Greatest return on Tax investment…

Georgians report that the Federal government (42.9%) provides them withthe greatest return on their tax investment, followed by County/City with27.6% and State government with 18.9%. African Americans (66.1%),Asians (50.8%) and Hispanics (45.4%) report the highest satisfaction withthe Federal government when it comes to return on their tax investment.

42.9

18.9

27.6

10.6

Greatest return on Tax investment…

White

African-American

Hispanic

County/CityStateFederal0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80


Asian

31.8

66.1

45.450.8

23.5

8.9

34.1

0

36.6

20.8

4.2 08.1

4.2

16.4

49.2


NoYes0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

impact of State Cuts…

impact of State Cuts…

impact of State CutsA significant percentage of Hispanics (72.9%) have had their householdimpacted by cuts in state programs and services. Overall, 64.4% report thattheir household has not been impacted by cuts in state programs andservices. African-Americans (30.5%) and Hispanics (72.9%) report thattheir households have been impacted by these cuts.

31.4

64.4

4.2


White

African-American

Hispanic

NoYes0

20

40

60

80

100


Asian

27.5 30.5

72.9

0

70.3

61.3

27.1

89.2

2.38.3

010.8


CAMPUS THEATRE IN MILLEDGEVILLE


UPPER DESOTO FALLS IN THE CHATTAHOOCHEE NATIONAL FOREST


Only 11.1% of Georgians report Strong Satisfaction with public education, with 31.2%indicating Strong Dissatisfaction. About a third (29.8%), report being Somewhat Satisfied.Whites (34.9%), African Americans (26.2%), Hispanic (23.2%) and Middle Georgians (34.5%)and residents of the Metro Atlanta (30.9%) report Strong Dissatisfaction with publiceducation.

education


Very Dissatisfied


Somewhat Satisfied

Very Satisfied

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

North

Middle

South

Metro Atlanta

Very Dissatisfied


Somewhat Satisfied

Very Satisfied

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40


Public education Satisfaction…

Public education Satisfaction…

11.1

29.8

23.7

31.2

4.3

1411.6

9.1

24.4

36.6

30.3

26.7

11

29

24

30.6

34.5

30.4 30.9

4.26.3

2.8 4.2

28.6

10.5


Pay More to improve Public Schools…


NoYes0

10

20

30

40

50

6054.8

41.5

3.7

Public education Satisfaction…White

African-American

Hispanic

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Asian

Very Dissatisfied


Somewhat Satisfied

Very Satisfied


1115.4

010.8

27.5

36.1

8

65.2

21.3 18.9

64.6

12.9

34.9

26.2 23.2

11.15.3 3.4 4.2 0

When asked to consider paying more taxes to provide better educationopportunities for children, 54.8% indicate willingness to do so, while 41.5%would not pay more taxes. Women (64.1%) are more willing than men (45%) topay more taxes for public education.


More than half of respondents (55.5%) are in favor of creating charter schools,with 30.5% Strongly in Favor and 25% Somewhat in Favor. Only 10.5% StronglyOppose the creation of charter schools.

Pay More to improve Public Schools…

Women

Men


NoYes0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

64.1

45

32.4

51.1

3.6 3.8


StronglyOppose

Somewhat Oppose

SomewhatFavor

StronglyFavor

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

3530.5

25

14.6

10.5

19.5

Creating Charter Schools...


When asked about the Common Core State Standards Initiative, 29.7% ofGeorgians are Strongly in Favor of establishing consistent educational standardsacross the state, with 25.2% Strongly Opposing it. Women (56.4%) were more likelyto support the Common Core State Standards Initiative.


StronglyOppose

Somewhat Oppose

SomewhatFavor

StronglyFavor

0

5

10

15

20

25

3029.7

23.7

9.2

25.2

12.1

Common Core State Standards

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35


StronglyOppose

Somewhat Oppose

SomewhatFavor

StronglyFavor

Women

Men

29.2 30.2

27.2

20

9.3 9.1

23.3

27.2

10.9 13.4

Common Core State Standards


Georgians strongly oppose (46.7%) the ObamaCare: Affordable Care Act with27.1% Srongly in Favor. African Americans (58.4%) Strongly Favor and Whites(63.7%) Strongly Oppose the Act.

Health Care


StronglyOppose

Somewhat Oppose

SomewhatFavor

StronglyFavor

0

10

20

30

40

50

White

African-American

Hispanic

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80


StronglyOppose

Somewhat Oppose

SomewhatFavor

StronglyFavor

obamaCare: affordable Care act approval...

obamaCare: affordable Care act approval...

27.1

8.8 6.9

46.7

10.5

12.1

58.4

4.27.5

13

08.3

4.2

12.2

63.7

11.5

68.7

8.312.9 14.9


Just under half (46.3%) of Georgian’s Favor legalizing medical marijuana with22.1% Strongly Opposing it. Hispanics (53.4%) and South Georgians (45.9%)Strongly Oppose the legalization of medical marijuana.

legalizing Medical Marijuana...


StronglyOppose

Somewhat Oppose

SomewhatFavor

StronglyFavor

0

10

20

30

40

50 46.3

17.9

8.4

22.1

5.4

legalizing Medical Marijuana...

White

African-American

Hispanic

0

10

20

30

40

50

60


StronglyOppose

Somewhat Oppose

SomewhatFavor

StronglyFavor

46.4 45.8 46.6

17.8

24.9

0

9.3 9.5

0

23.5

13.2

53.4

3.16.5

0


legalizing Medical Marijuana...North

Middle

South

Metro Atlanta

0

10

20

30

40

50

60


StronglyOppose

Somewhat Oppose

SomewhatFavor

StronglyFavor

53.4

39.6

27.523.2

15.619.4

10.815.114.6

3.5

12.4

24.2

45.9

16.4

0.15.5

2.1

8.510

52.2

APPALACHIAN SCENE IN NORTH GEORGIA


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CHAMBER


Obama’s executive action on immigration is opposed by 54.6% of Georgianswith 17.4% Somewhat Opposing and 37.2% Strongly Opposing the action.

immigration


StronglyOppose

Somewhat Oppose

SomewhatFavor

StronglyFavor

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

obama’s executive action on immigration...

20

15.217.4

37.2

10.3

Georgians favor (46.5%) the state’s “Safe Carry Protection Act – guns everywhere.”A smaller percentage (37.4%) oppose it.

Gun Control


StronglyOppose

Somewhat Oppose

SomewhatFavor

StronglyFavor

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Safe Carry Protection act - Guns everywhere

30.4

16.1

10.4

27

16


When asked about legalizing same-sex marriage in Georgia, 48.8% of Georgians oppose, with42.4% expressing support of this effort. Strong Opposition (40.6%) and Strong Support (25.3%)varied by region with the Atlanta metro (30.6%) residents strongly favoring this direction.Residents from the South (53.6%) strongly oppose legalizing same sex marriage.

Same-Sex Marriage


StronglyOppose

Somewhat Oppose

SomewhatFavor

StronglyFavor

0

10

20

30

40

50

legalizing Same-Sex Marriage

25.3

17.1

8.2

40.6

8.8

North

Middle

South

Metro Atlanta

0

10

20

30

40

50

60


StronglyOppose

Somewhat Oppose

SomewhatFavor

StronglyFavor

legalizing Same-Sex Marriage

30.5

14.8 13.6

30.6

13.5

7.7

22.819

10.613.8

3.47.5

38.5

52 53.6

33.7

711.6

6.79.6


The majority of Georgians are in favor of Senate Bill 365, legislation that removes barriers toemployment, housing and education to help rehabilitate offenders so they can successfullyre-enter society. 28.6% Strongly Favor the bill and 34.2% Somewhat Favor the legislation.

Senate Bill 365

The State’s Senate Bill 365


StronglyOppose

Somewhat Oppose

SomewhatFavor

StronglyFavor

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

28.6

34.2

10.712.7 13.7


JEKYLL ISLAND


The 2015 Georgia’s State of the State Poll was a telephone survey of randomlyselected adults in the state of Georgia. Five hundred (500) Georgia adults wereinterviewed by landline and cellular telephone between February 9 and February16, 2015. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 4.4%. This survey wasconducted through the use of Random Digit Dialing (RDD). A sample of householdsin the area was selected via random digit dialing.

The random sample used in the 2015 Georgia’s State of the State Poll was providedby Survey Sampling International (SSI). SSI screens each selected telephonenumber to eliminate non-working numbers, disconnected numbers, and businessnumbers to improve the efficiency of the sample, thus reducing the amount of timeinterviewers spend calling non-usable numbers. Each of these randomly generatedtelephone numbers is contacted by an SSI interviewer. This selection processensures that every adult (18 years of age or older) in the household has an equallylikely chance of being included in the survey. Interviews were completed with 500randomly selected adults in Georgia from a sample of 55,790 randomly selected

telephone numbers.

The data has been weighted toaccount for known biases of telephonesurveys. The results presented herehave been weighted to reflect thecurrent population demographics asreflected in the most recent availableCensus data. The data in the 2015Georgia’s State of the State Poll areweighted by the number of adults toequalize the chances that any oneadult would be selected for inclusion.The data was also weighted byrespondent's sex, age and race.

In addition to providing results for thestate as a whole, some findings alsoare broken down by the four majorregions of the state: North, Middle,South and Atlanta metropolitan area.The maps below illustrate thecounties in each region.

Survey Methodology

State of the State GEORGIA’S

P OLL

For more information about Georgia’s State of the State Poll (GSSP) please contact:

Costas Spirou, Ph.D.Professor and Chair

Department of Government and SociologyGeorgia College

Milledgeville, GA 31061478-445-4562

[email protected]

University Printing Services • 4/2015

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Georgia's State of the State Poll - 2015