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PUBLIC POLICY SURVEY IDENTIFIES EDUCATION AS TOP IDAHO CONCERN For the second consecutive year, education surfaced as the most important issue facing Idahoans, followed by growth and the environment, according to the 12th Annual Idaho Public Policy Survey administered by Boise State University. In fact, education has been among the top three issues since the survey was instituted in 1990. By contrast, the economy and the environment have floated from first to sixth place in level of importance, and taxes, which normally show up in the third to fifth place range, didn’t even make this year’s top 10 concerns. Boise State University’s Social Science Research Center, housed in the College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs, administered the survey in an attempt to identify issues of concern to Idaho citizens. The yearly report is the primary source of information on public policy concerns for the Idaho Legislature, state agency personnel and the public at large, and has a 95 percent confidence level. More than two-thirds of those surveyed said the state was headed in the right direction. Furthermore, almost 93 percent of the 706 respondents indicated satisfaction with the quality of their life in Idaho, a finding that has remained consistent over time. When it comes to government, Idahoans have the highest level of confidence in local and state government, feeling they best respond to their needs. However, they also felt that both local and federal governments impose the least fair taxes. In the area of public information and sources likely to influence opinions on the problems facing the state, 53 percent said they rely on the media as their main source of information, the No. 1 response. Thirty-four percent said the media was also the biggest source of influence. And although only 17 percent said they rely on their church for information, 24 percent named church as a source of influence, falling directly behind friends (30 percent), the No. 2 choice. On the environmental front, almost 58 percent of respondents said they opposed breaching the four lower Snake River dams to protect salmon, and nearly 63 percent opposed former President Clinton’s roadless initiative, with the highest opposition (74 percent) centered in east central Idaho. J.E. Gonzalez, director of the Social Sciences Research Center, led the study, with assistance from Lori Watts, SSRC graduate research assistant. The study includes regional analyses, 1999-2000 figure comparisons and an 11-year trend analysis. To receive a copy, call Gonzalez at 208-426-4028. |
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James Weatherby Public Policy 426-4018 |
David Patton Public Policy 426-4016 |
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John Freemuth Political Science 426-3931 |
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