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Showing 1 – 26 of 26 results.

Curated

ABC News/Washington Post Education Poll, September 1981 (ICPSR 8018)

Released/updated on: 1992-02-16

Geographic coverage: United States

This special-topic poll is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicit public opinion on the presidency and on a range of other political and social issues. This data collection focuses on perceptions of education in the United States. The poll consisted of interviews with school principals and the general population. The data are contained in two datasets. Part 1, Principals Survey, contains data on the number and racial mix of students in the respondents' schools. Respondents were also questioned about discipline problems, competency tests, busing to achieve integration, television and homework, parental involvement in school decision-making, budget cutbacks, school performance, and their personal occupational history. Part 2, General Public Survey, contains information on the respondents' confidence levels in public institutions, perceived problems in their local high school, the value of school programs, functions of schools, educational discipline, the education of their children, and their opinions of President Ronald Reagan. Demographic information was collected, including respondents' sex, age, race, occupation, education and income levels, marital status, number of children, political party identification, and voting behavior.

Curated

ABC News/Washington Post Inflation Poll, March 1981 (ICPSR 8012)

Released/updated on: 1992-02-16

Geographic coverage: United States

This special-topic poll is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicit public opinion on the presidency and on a range of other political and social issues. This data collection focused on inflation and attitudes toward President Ronald Reagan's economic proposals. Respondents were asked to pinpoint the possible causes of inflation. They were questioned about the Reagan administration's spending cuts and who they thought would benefit from them. Respondents were also asked to elaborate specifically on the impact of inflation on their spending habits, and if inflation prevented them from buying new cars, homes, or taking vacations. Some additional questions were asked about prize fighting. Demographic information collected on respondents includes age, race, sex, religion, number of children, and occupation.

Curated

Simple Crosstabs

ABC News/Washington Post Monthly Poll, April 2011 (ICPSR 35092)

Released/updated on: 2014-06-12

Geographic coverage: United States

This poll, fielded April 2011, is a part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicits public opinion on a range of political and social issues. Respondents were asked whether they approved of the performances of President Obama and Congress on a range of topics including: the economy, the budget deficit, interventions in Afghanistan and Libya, taxes, and protecting the middle class. Queries also investigated respondents' opinions of the Tea Party movement, Medicare and Social Security reform, economic recovery, partisan cooperation, and the quality of leadership provided by the political parties. Additional subjects included: nuclear power, the price of gasoline, military involvement in Libya, and the candidates for the 2012 presidential primary and election process. Political partisanship, left-right political self-placement, and voting intentions were also gathered. Demographic and other background information includes age, gender, race, religious affiliation, education, and locality of residence.

Curated

Simple Crosstabs

ABC News/Washington Post Monthly Poll, March 2011 (ICPSR 35091)

Released/updated on: 2014-06-12

Geographic coverage: United States

This poll, fielded March 2011, is a part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicits public opinion on a range of political and social issues. Respondents were asked whether they approved of the performances of President Obama and Congress on a range of topics including: the economy, the budget deficit, economic recovery, intervention in the Middle East and North Africa (specifically Libya), Social Security, and workers' rights. Queries also investigated respondents' opinions of the Tea Party movement, the war in Afghanistan, Republican leaders, partisan cooperation, and the quality of leadership provided by the political parties. Additional subjects included: how to resolve state budget deficits, social security, government shutdown, unions, the price of gasoline, equal marriage rights, and women in the military. Political partisanship and left-right political self-placement were also solicited. Demographic and other background information includes age, gender, race, religious affiliation, education, and locality of residence.

Curated

ABC News/Washington Post Poll, February 1986 (ICPSR 8574)

Released/updated on: 2010-05-06

Geographic coverage: United States

This poll, conducted February 6-12, 1986, is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicit public opinion on the presidency and on a range of other political and social issues. Views were sought on the way Ronald Reagan was handling the presidency and issues such as foreign affairs, the condition of the national economy, the role of the federal government, proposals for reducing the federal budget deficit, including cutting specific government programs and increasing taxes, and whether the United States should help try to overthrow pro-communist governments. Respondents were asked whether they had seen or heard President Reagan's State of the Union speech, for whom they would vote in the 1988 presidential primary or caucus in their state, and whether they would vote for the Republican or Democratic candidate in their district in the congressional elections in November. Opinions were sought on the women's movement, including whether women would be better off staying at home raising families or having careers, whether women with children were less reliable workers, and whether it was realistic for women to expect to have a successful career, a good marriage, and a stable home life at the same time. A series of questions addressed respondents' knowledge of the Soviet Union and their impressions of Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet people, and relations between the United States and the Soviet Union. Additional topics included abortion, forced school busing for racial integration, pornography, censorship, daycare arrangements, the space program, and whether the space shuttle program should continue following the recent space shuttle Challenger disaster. Demographic variables include sex, age, race, marital status, education level, household income, political philosophy, political party affiliation, voter registration status and participation history, religion in which respondents were raised, perceived social class, type of residential area (e.g., urban or rural), employment status of respondents and their spouses, the number of people living in the household, and whether anyone in the household was a veteran, a member of a labor union, or employed by the government.

Curated

ABC News/Washington Post Poll, March 1997 (ICPSR 2177)

Released/updated on: 2008-03-03

Geographic coverage: United States

This poll, conducted March 6-9, 1997, is part of a continuing series of monthly polls that solicit public opinion on the presidency and on a range of other political and social issues. Respondents were asked to give their opinions of President Bill Clinton and his handling of the presidency, the economy, and foreign affairs, as well as their views on First Lady Hillary Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, and Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott. Those queried were asked if they supported a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, decreases in military spending, decreases in entitlement program spending, and requiring a three-fifths majority vote to raise taxes. A series of questions addressed campaign contributions. Topics included use of the White House as a fundraising tool, permitting contributors to sleep in the Lincoln bedroom and attend special luncheons at the White House, Al Gore's use of White House telephones to solicit campaign contributions, and Clinton's commitment to campaign finance reform. Demographic variables include age, race, sex, education level, political party affiliation, political philosophy, voter registration status and participation history, and household income.

Curated

ABC News/Washington Post Poll, May 1990 (ICPSR 9459)

Released/updated on: 2008-05-14

Geographic coverage: United States

Time period: 1990-05-17--1990-05-21

This data collection is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that evaluate the Bush presidency and solicit opinions on a variety of political and social issues. Topics covered include the state of the economy, foreign affairs, the federal budget deficit, and relations with the Soviet Union. Respondents were asked if they trusted the Democrats or the Republicans to do a better job in coping with the main problems facing this country, if they thought that Bush should drop his "no new taxes" policy and consider raising taxes in order to reduce the federal budget deficit, and if they felt federal civil rights laws needed to be strengthened. Respondents also were asked a detailed series of questions regarding the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc countries. They were asked about American and Soviet influences in world affairs, impressions of Mikhail Gorbachev and George Bush, whether they thought changes that had occurred recently in the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc countries would result in a peaceful world, and whether these changes would provide the United States with major economic opportunities. In addition, respondents were asked to identify the greatest threat to the United States from among the following: the military power of the Soviet Union, Middle Eastern terrorism, the economic strength of Japan, and South American drug traffickers. Respondents were also queried about how important it was to the United States that Gorbachev remain in power and whether they thought the United States should officially recognize Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia as independent counties. Other topics covered include cuts in military spending, cuts in nuclear arms, sending food, clothing, and consumer goods to the Soviet Union, Soviet emigration to the United States, the upcoming summit meeting between Bush and Gorbachev, voting preference if the House of Representatives election were held that day, and whether a candidate's stand on taxes would influence the respondent's vote. Background information on respondents includes political alignment, 1988 presidential vote choice, education, age, religion, social class, marital status, number of people in household, labor union membership, employment status, race, income, sex and state/region of residence.

Curated

ABC News/Washington Post Poll, May-June 1985 (ICPSR 8568)

Released/updated on: 2008-05-15

Geographic coverage: United States

Time period: 1985-05-01--1985-06-01

This survey focuses on an assessment of the Reagan administration and other topics of current interest. Respondents were asked for their opinions on the Reagan administration, foreign affairs, Central America, the nation's economy, the federal budget deficit, budget cuts, Nicaragua, and apartheid. Other topics covered in greater detail include an evaluation of the United States Congress, the federal income tax system and proposed changes of it, and the hijacking of a TWA plane by Arab terrorists. Demographic characteristics also are included.

Curated

ABC News/Washington Post Poll of Public Opinion on Current Social and Political Issues, January 1982 (ICPSR 8021)

Released/updated on: 1992-02-16

Geographic coverage: United States

This poll is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicit public opinion on the presidency and on a range of other political and social issues. In this poll, respondents were asked their opinions on labor unions, events in Poland, President Ronald Reagan and the economy, balancing the federal budget, and state control of social programs. Demographic information on respondents includes race, sex, age, religion, educational and income levels, marital status, type of residence, number of children, and occupation.

Curated

Simple Crosstabs

CBS News/60 Minutes/Vanity Fair National Poll, December #2, 2011 (ICPSR 34465)

Released/updated on: 2013-01-03

Geographic coverage: United States

This poll, fielded December of 2011 and the second of two, is a part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicits public opinion on a range of political and social issues. Respondents were asked how well Barack Obama was handling the presidency, foreign policy, and the economy. Further questions asked respondents whether the country was moving in the right direction, the most important problem facing the country, the state of the national economy, how the government was working, and whether Congress was performing their job well. Opinions were sought on illegal immigration, job creation, the budget deficit, Medicare and Social Security, and raising taxes on households making more than one million dollars. Further information was sought about how concerned the respondent was that they or someone in their household would lose their job in the next twelve months, their family's financial outlook, and whether they or a family member were on Medicare, Social Security, or any other type of government benefits. Respondents were queried about how much attention they were paying to the 2012 campaign, whether they planned to vote in a 2012 primary or caucus, whether they watched or listened to the Republican debates, who they preferred for the Republican nomination and how sure they were about this choice, their enthusiasm for the 2012 election, how well they knew the Republican candidates' economic policies, and which issues were most important when choosing the Republican nominee. Opinions were also sought on the candidates for the Republican nomination with special attention on the political philosophies, personalities, beliefs, and values of candidates Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, and Newt Gingrich. Finally, respondents were asked a number of questions pertaining to their social lives and societal attitudes. Demographic information includes sex, age, race, marital status, education level, household income, employment status, religious preference, type of residential area (e.g., urban or rural), political party affiliation, political philosophy, voter registration status, voting behavior, number of phones, and whether respondents thought of themselves as born-again Christians.

Curated

Simple Crosstabs

CBS News/60 Minutes/Vanity Fair National Poll, March #1, 2013 (ICPSR 34995)

Released/updated on: 2014-04-08

Geographic coverage: United States

This poll, the first of three fielded March 2013, is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicits public opinion on a range of political and social issues. Respondents were asked multiple questions on the budget sequester, including whether it would affect them personally, who should be blamed for it, whether it would have a good impact on the country, and opinions on how to best handle it. Respondents were also asked how closely they followed the news about spending cuts and tax increases, and whether President Barack Obama, Democrats in Congress, and Republicans in Congress should have compromised their positions in order to reach an agreement. Opinions were collected on the war in Iraq, including whether taking military action against Iraq was the correct decision, and whether the United States succeeded in accomplishing its objectives in Iraq. Additional information collected includes 2012 presidential voting behavior, opinions on daylight saving time, sports, the SAT tests, popular movies and celebrity figures, and various hypothetical college scenarios. Demographic information includes sex, age, race, marital status, education level, household income, religious preference, type of residential area (e.g., urban or rural), political party affiliation, political philosophy, and whether respondents thought of themselves as born-again Christians.

Curated

CBS News Federal Budget Deficit Poll, October 1990 (ICPSR 9614)

Released/updated on: 2009-07-20

Geographic coverage: United States

This survey focuses on issues related to difficulties encountered by the federal government in reaching agreement on a federal budget deficit reduction plan. Respondents indicated their approval or disapproval of President Bush's handling of both his presidency and the budget deficit, identified President Bush or Congress as being more to blame or equally to blame for the difficulties in dealing with the deficit, and specified whether Republicans or Democrats in Congress were more at fault or equally at fault in dealing with the deficit situation. Respondents were queried regarding their general knowledge of the problem, including how closely they had followed the difficulties with the budget, their perception of the difficulties as either a true crisis or a political machination, and their opinion of the House of Representatives' rejection of the deficit reduction compromise arrived at by the President and leaders of Congress. Regarding the House's rejection of the compromise, those surveyed indicated whether they would vote for their representative based on his/her vote on the compromise, and if they knew how their representative had voted. Respondents also reacted to Bush's shutting down of various government services rather than signing a bill to extend them another week and indicated whether they had been affected by the shutdown or if they anticipated being affected. In addition, respondents revealed their preference for a large across-the-board cut in all government programs and services or a federal budget deficit reduction plan, and speculated about whether Congress was likely to arrive at a plan that would be fair. Those surveyed also indicated whether they would be willing to comply with a series of measures to reduce the deficit, including paying an additional $100 to $500 a year in taxes, raising the charge for Medicare, raising the tax on beer, wine, liquor, and gasoline, limiting government health and education services, and raising taxes for people with incomes of over $100,000 a year. Respondents also evaluated the strength of Bush's leadership in trying to settle the budget, indicated whether or not they were registered to vote and if they would vote for the Republican or Democratic candidate in their district for the House of Representatives if that election were held today, commented on whether most congressmen have made decisions based on what is best for the country or what they think will insure re-election, and characterized the cause of difficulty in reaching a budget agreement as either disagreement over important issues or political bickering. Background information on respondents includes political alignment, employment of a household member by the federal government, income, education, age, race, sex, number of adults at home, and state/region of residence.

Curated

Simple Crosstabs

CBS News National Poll, March #2, 2013 (ICPSR 34996)

Released/updated on: 2014-04-02

Geographic coverage: United States

This poll, second of three fielded March 2013, is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicits public opinion on a range of political and social issues. Respondents were asked how Barack Obama was handling the presidency, the economy, federal budget deficit, taxes, and foreign policy. Opinions were also collected on Obama's relationship with Israel, respondents' attention to the violence in Syria, and whether North Korea and Iran were threats to the United States. Further questions asked whether respondents approve of the way Congress and the Supreme Court were handling their jobs, and whether they had favorable opinions of the Republican and Democratic parties. Respondents were also asked their opinions on gun control laws, the health care law enacted in 2010, and same-sex marriage/relationships. A variety of questions addressed the condition of the national economy, the budget sequestration, the job market, the stock market, and the federal budget deficit. Demographic information includes sex, age, race, gun ownership, voter registration status, marital status, number of children in the household, education level, household income, religious preference, type of residential area (e.g., urban or rural), political party affiliation, political philosophy, and whether respondents thought of themselves as born-again Christians.

Curated

CBS News/New York Times National Survey, April #1, 2011 (ICPSR 33961)

Released/updated on: 2012-06-19

Geographic coverage: United States

This poll, fielded April 15 - April 20, 2011, is a part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicits public opinion on the presidency and on a range of other political and social issues. Respondents were asked whether they approved of the way Barack Obama was handling his job as president, the economy, the budget deficit, foreign policy, and the situation in Libya. Respondents were also asked whether they approved of the way the United States Congress was handling its job and whether they approved of the way Republicans in the United States Congress were handling the federal budget deficit. Opinions were sought on the severity of the country's budget deficit, how respondents would balance the federal budget, and whether respondents felt that Obama and the Republicans compromised on the issues of the budget deficit and the debt limit. Multiple questions were asked regarding the Republican Party and its potential candidates for the 2012 presidential election. Respondents were asked how favorably they viewed the candidates as well as their opinion about the goals and direction of the Republican Party. A significant portion of the survey focused on the rising costs of Medicare. Respondents were asked their opinion of the Medicare program, how they would plan to pay for the increasing costs of Medicare in the future and the amount of benefits they felt Medicare recipients should receive. Additional questions focused on respondent's opinion of the government's responsibility to provide health services, whether Medicare was worth the cost to taxpayers and possible changes to Medicare in order to reduce the federal deficit. Additional topics covered were the Tea Party movement, whether Obama is a United States citizen, the British Royal Family, Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding, and the idea of an American Royal Family. Demographic variables include sex, age, race, education level, household income, marital status, religious preference, political party affiliation, political philosophy, voter registration status, and whether respondents thought of themselves as born-again Christians.

Curated

Continuation of Services Funded Under Title III of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (ICPSR 8246)

Released/updated on: 2006-01-18

Geographic coverage: United States

This data collection examines the fates of services funded under Title III of the Older Americans Act if and when that source of funding is terminated. The main objectives of the study were to investigate the pattern of continuation of projects funded under the Title III program and the importance of various factors contributing to the continuation of Title III projects. The study covered 33 planning and service areas in 24 states and represented all ten federal regions. Members of 426 state agencies on aging, area agencies on aging, and service providers were interviewed. Information is provided on the extent to which projects actually had their Title III funds terminated, the providers' responses to termination, the actions precipitated by continuation at reduced levels, the extent of budgetary reductions, the impact of Title III funding termination on client group composition, and the effects of project types and services on project continuation. Variables in Part 1, the Service Provider survey, include the organization's area of service, the number of paid staff members, the number of older persons they assisted, the duration of their current or last Title III grant, and the Title III project's total budget in its last year. Area agencies and state units on aging (Parts 2 and 3, respectively) were asked questions about granting processes, such as the agencies involved, the logistics of extensions, and the involvement of local officials in replacing Title III funding by allocating public funds.

Curated

Partially restricted

Simple Crosstabs

Forces of Change Survey, United States, 2018 (ICPSR 38307)

Released/updated on: 2023-02-01

Geographic coverage: United States

The National Association of County and City Health Officials' (NACCHO) Forces of Change Survey is an evolution of NACCHO's Job Losses and Program Cuts Surveys (also known as the Economic Surveillance Surveys) which measured the impact of the economic recession on local health departments' (LHD) budgets, staff, and programs. The Forces of Change Survey continues to measure changes in LHD budgets, staff, and programs and assess more broadly the impact of forces affecting change in local health departments, such as health reform and accreditation. The 2018 Forces of Change survey was distributed to a stratified random sample of 966 LHDs in the United States.

The survey included six topics: (1) Budget Cuts and Job Losses, (2) Response to Opioid Use and Abuse, (3) Population Health Activities, (4) Influenza Preparedness and Response, (5) Informatics Capacity, and (6) Environmental Health Activities.

Curated

Partially restricted

Simple Crosstabs

Forces of Change Survey, United States, 2023 (ICPSR 39352)

Released/updated on: 2025-08-20

Geographic coverage: United States

The National Association of County and City Health Officials' (NACCHO's) Forces of Change Survey was developed as an evolution to NACCHO's Job Losses and Program Cuts surveys, which measured the impact of the economic recession on local health departments' (LHDs) budgets, staff, and programs. Beginning in 2014, NACCHO began conducting the Forces of Change survey yearly in years that the National Profile Study of Local Health Departments (Profile) was not fielded. The Forces of Change Survey continues to measure changes in LHD budgets, staff, programs, and assess more broadly the impact of forces affecting change in LHDs.

Curated

Partially restricted

Simple Crosstabs

Forces of Change Survey, United States, 2024 (ICPSR 39672)

Released/updated on: 2026-06-02

Geographic coverage: United States

Beginning in 2014, NACCHO began conducting the Forces of Change survey yearly in years that the National Profile Study of Local Health Departments (Profile) was not fielded. The Forces of Change Survey continues to measure changes in LHD budgets, staff, programs, and assess more broadly the impact of forces affecting change in LHDs.

More specifically, the survey collected information about staffing and budget changes, agency governance, engagement with fellowship/training programs, public health nursing activities, evaluation capacity, and services to address the infectious disease consequences of the opioid crisis.

Curated

International Social Survey Program: Role of Government, 1985-1986 (ICPSR 34854)

Released/updated on: 2013-08-14

Geographic coverage: Great Britain, Austria, United States, Italy, Australia, Germany, Global

Time period: 1985-01-01--1986-01-01

This study is designed to supplement regular, national, social science surveys in the following countries: West Germany, Great Britain, United States, Italy, Austria, and Australia. The data report citizens' opinions on the functions of their national governments and on what governments should and should not be doing. Included are respondents' attitudes towards civil liberties e.g., measures against extremism, power of police), the family (intervention in parenting, welfare provision), inequality (the role of government in correcting inequalities of race, sex, class, income, and education), and economic intervention (measures to prevent unemployment, intervention in industrial disputes). Demographic data on respondents are also provided.

Curated

International Social Survey Program: Role of Government II, 1990 (ICPSR 34847)

Released/updated on: 2013-08-12

Geographic coverage: Great Britain, Hungary, United States, Norway, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Australia, Germany, Global

Curated

International Social Survey Program: Role of Government III, 1996 (ICPSR 34841)

Released/updated on: 2013-08-07

Geographic coverage: Cyprus, Hungary, United States, Japan, Philippines, Global, Russia, Spain, New Zealand, Canada, Sweden, Great Britain, Czech Republic, Latvia, Norway, Ireland, Poland, Italy, Israel, Slovenia, Australia, France, Bulgaria, Germany

The International Social Survey Program (ISSP) is an ongoing program of cross-national collaboration. Formed in 1983, the group develops topical modules dealing with important areas of social science as supplements to regular national surveys. This survey is the third in a series exploring the "role of government" topic. The first survey on this topic was conducted in 1985-1986 and the second in 1990. Participating countries in the 1996 survey include Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United States. Citizens' opinions were elicited on the function of their national governments and on what governments should and should not be doing. Respondents were asked whether they approved of economic policies such as wage and price controls, job creation programs, including public work projects, support for ailing private industries, and the forced reduction in the industrial work week, as well as conservative measures, such as reductions in government spending and business regulations. Government spending was another topic, with respondents questioned as to their support for greater spending on the environment, health care, police and law enforcement, education, military and defense, culture and the arts, old age pensions, unemployment benefits, and housing for the poor. A number of questions dealt with respondents' attitudes regarding democracy, political power, and protest. Respondents were asked for their views on the rule of law when it is in conflict with private conscience, various forms of anti-government protest (public meetings, protest marches and demonstrations, nationwide strikes), whether the right to protest should be afforded to those who advocate the overthrow of the government by revolution, and the conflict between security needs and privacy rights. Other questions focused on the role of elections in democracies, including whether voters understand political issues, whether elections force governments to confront pressing political issues, whether certain institutions (unions, government, business and industry) have too much power in affecting election results, whether politicians really try to keep their election promises, whether civil servants can be trusted to work in the public's interest, and whether various industries (power companies, hospitals, banks) are better off being run by the private sector or by the government. Opinions were also elicited as to whether government had a legitimate role in the redistribution of wealth in the country, by tax policy or otherwise. Demographic variables include age, sex, education, marital status, personal and family income, employment status, household size and composition, occupation, religion and church attendance, social class, union membership, political party, voting history, and ethnicity.

Curated

International Social Survey Program: Role of Government I-IV, 1985-2006 (ICPSR 34857)

Released/updated on: 2013-08-15

Geographic coverage: Great Britain, United States, Italy, Australia, Germany, Global

Time period: 1985-01-01--2006-01-01

The International Social Survey Program (ISSP) is an ongoing program of crossnational collaboration. Formed in 1983, the group develops topical modules dealing with important areas of social science as supplements to regular national surveys. This collection presents cumulative data from two surveys exploring the "role of government" topic. These data report citizens' opinions on the functions of their national governments and on what governments should and should not be doing. Questions were asked concerning taxes, gun control, cuts in government spending, government creation of new jobs, government spending on environmental concerns, law enforcement, health issues, education, defense, unemployment benefits, and the cultural arts. Other items focused on the role of public protest meetings, publications, and demonstrations. Respondents were also queried about the role of government in several industries, including electric power, steel, banking, and insurance. Demographic variables include age, sex, marital status, employment status, occupation, union membership, education, political party affiliation, religion, vote in the last election, subjective social class standing, size of household, family income, and occupation.

Curated

Restricted

Responding to Fiscal Challenges in State Correctional Systems: A National Study of Prison Closings and Alternative Strategies, 2007-2012 (ICPSR 36105)

Released/updated on: 2016-03-31

Geographic coverage: United States

Time period: 2007-01-01--2013-01-01

These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.

This study addresses changes to state correctional systems and policies in response to correctional spending limits brought on by the worsening economic climate beginning in late 2007. These changes include institutional changes, such as closing prisons and reducing staffing, "back-end" strategies, such as reductions in sentence lengths and reduced parolee supervision, and "front-end" measures, such as funding trade-offs between other governmental and social services.

A survey of the 50 state correctional administrators addressed fiscal stress, including size and characteristics of the prison population, prison crowding, prison expenditures, institutional safety, staff morale, public safety and other justice spending. Additionally, six states were selected for in depth case studies, which included interviews with facility personnel and site visits by research staff in order to thoroughly understand the challenges faced and the resulting decisions made.

Additionally, each state's demographic, correctional spending, and overall financial information was collected from census and other publicly available reports. Information on the overall health and safety of the inmates was examined through an econometric comparison of funding levels and statistics as to prisoner mortality, crime and incarceration rates.

Curated

Washington Post Maryland Poll, October 2007 (ICPSR 24595)

Released/updated on: 2009-06-17

Geographic coverage: United States, Maryland

This special topic poll, fielded October 18-22, 2007, is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicit public opinion on the current presidency and on a range of other political and social issues. The topic of this survey was the budget deficit and government performance in the state of Maryland. Residents of Maryland were asked about the job performance of Governor Martin O'Malley and whether they approved of the way the Maryland legislature and United States Senator Ben Cardin were handling their jobs. Respondents identified the most important issues facing the state of Maryland, whether the state was moving in the right direction, and rated the condition of the state economy. Views were sought on the Maryland state tax system, the state budget deficit, and the governor's plan to reduce the deficit. Respondents were also asked how closely they were following the 2008 presidential race, for whom they would vote if the 2008 presidential primary were held that day, and their opinions of the candidates. Additional topics addressed immigration in Maryland, the death penalty, a state law that would allow same-sex marriage and civil unions, and a proposal to raise the gasoline tax to pay for transportation projects. Demographic variables include sex, age, race, marital status, household income, education level, voter registration status, political party affiliation, political philosophy, religious preference, frequency of religious attendance, whether respondents owned or rented their homes, and the presence of children under age 18 living at the residence.

Curated

Washington Post Maryland Poll, October 2008 (ICPSR 27330)

Released/updated on: 2010-11-09

Geographic coverage: United States, Maryland

This special topic poll, fielded October 16-20, 2008, is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicit public opinion on a range of political and social issues. The topic of this survey was government performance in the state of Maryland, slot machines, and the budget deficit. Residents of Maryland were asked about the job performance of Governor Martin O'Malley and whether they approved of the way he is handling his job as governor. Respondents identified the most important issues facing the state of Maryland, whether the state was moving in the right direction, and rated the condition of the state economy. Respondents were also asked what the chances were that they would vote in the upcoming presidential election. Several questions asked for respondents' opinions on Question Two on the state ballot: the constitutional amendment about slot machines in Maryland. Respondents were asked whether they approved of having slot machines in Maryland, what was the main reason they either approved or disapproved of slot machines, and if the slots plan passed, they thought it would help the state's budget situation. Respondents were queried on their thoughts of the direction of the nation's economy as well as their own family's financial situation. Respondents were asked about their impressions of the candidates for Maryland governor in 2010, and who they would vote for in the election. Demographic variables include sex, age, race, household income, education level, voter registration status, political party affiliation, political philosophy, religious preference, religiosity, union membership, whether respondent is a born-again Christian, and the presence of children under age 18 living at the residence.

Curated

Washington Post Washington, DC, Finance and Home Rule Poll, February 1995 (ICPSR 3837)

Released/updated on: 2004-04-28

Geographic coverage: District of Columbia, United States

Time period: 1995-01-01--1995-02-01

This special topic poll, conducted January 28-February 2, 1995, was undertaken to assess respondents' opinions of Washington, DC, Mayor Marion Barry, his job performance, and his handling of the city's budget problems. Residents of Washington, DC, were polled on their level of trust in Mayor Marion Barry, the city council, and the United States Congress to make budget cuts fairly, whether each was trying hard enough to deal with the city's budget problems, whether Mayor Marion Barry was moving too quickly or too slowly in making budget cuts, and whether factors like a poor economy and too many city workers were important factors in the city's budget crisis. Respondents were asked whether the city was moving in the right or wrong direction, and rated the quality of Washington, DC's, parks and recreation facilities, programs for the elderly, public schools, public health facilities, public libraries, and streets, as well as the job done by city police, fire department, and ambulance services. Views were sought on United States Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton, City Council Chairperson David Clarke, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, and political activist Jesse Jackson. Respondents were polled on whether they favored or opposed Congress appointing a federal board to temporarily manage the city's finances, whether Congress should take permanent control of the city's finances, and whether Newt Gingrich was serious about helping the city solve its financial problems. A series of questions addressed the effects of the budget cuts on rich, middle class, and poor residents of the city, and whether cutting spending and programs would make the city a better or worse place to live in the long run. Respondents were asked whether they wanted to move to the Maryland or Virginia suburbs, whether they had seriously considered moving, and whether the city's budget problems were a factor in their decision to move. Additional questions asked whether Washington, DC, should become a part of Maryland or a separate state. Background variables include sex, age, education, ethnicity, household income, political party, the part of the city in which the respondent resided, whether respondents were registered to vote, whether they voted in the last mayoral general election and Democratic mayoral primary election and if so, for whom.