kansas tabor: a survey of aarp members · tabor: a survey of aarp members, february 2006 3 aarp is...

Kansas TABOR:A Survey of AARP Members

Published April 2006

Kansas TABOR: A Survey of AARP Members

Data Collected by Woelfel Research Report Prepared by Joanne Binette and Terri Guengerich

Copyright © 2006 AARP

Knowledge Management 601 E Street NW

Washington, DC 20049 http://www.aarp.org/research/

Reprinting with Permission

TABOR: A Survey of AARP Members, February 2006 3

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our website, www.aarp.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Acknowledgements AARP staff from the Kansas State Office, State Affairs, and Knowledge Management contributed to the design and implementation of this study. Special thanks go to AARP staff including Maren Turner and Ernie Kutzley, Kansas State Office; Clare Hushbeck, State Affairs; Gretchen Straw, Rachelle Cummins, Darlene Matthews, and Jennifer Leslie, Knowledge Management. Thanks also go to Michael Schuster, Office of General Counsel, for his review of the report. Leslie Schoeberlein of Woelfel Research, Inc. insured a timely and high quality survey. Joanne Binette, AARP Knowledge Management, managed all aspects of the project. Joanne Binette and Terri Guengerich, Knowledge Management, wrote the report. For more information, contact Joanne Binette at (202) 434-6303.

Kansas TABOR: A Survey of AARP Members, April 2006 1

Background The Taxpayer Bill of Rights, commonly referred to as TABOR, is a state constitutional amendment that limits the growth of state and local revenues and expenditures. Kansas is one of about a dozen states currently considering the adoption of TABOR. TABOR and related proposals in states set strict limits on the rate of allowable growth in state and local revenues and expenditures. A formula based on growth in the cost of living plus population growth sets these limits. Colorado is the only state in the nation that has adopted TABOR. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Colorado policymakers have been forced to make $1 billion in spending cuts since 2001.1 These cuts have led to declines in primary education funding, child immunization rates, and high school graduation rates.2 In November 2005, Colorado’s voters decided to suspend TABOR for five years. While the TABOR measure being considered in Kansas differs in details from Colorado’s, it will likely have many of the same consequences. State governments pay for services whose costs are rising much faster than the overall increase in the cost of living—especially health care. In addition, the populations for which states are largely responsible—older persons, persons with disabilities, and the incarcerated—are also growing significantly faster than the rate of growth of the general population. The 65+ population in Kansas is projected to grow 67 percent by 2030, while the total population in Kansas is projected to increase by 9 percent in this same time period.3 A formula based on general inflation combined with general population growth will be inadequate to meet the state’s responsibility to take care of these residents. In addition, TABOR’s formula does not allow for sudden increases in demand for state spending, such as in an emergency or an economic downturn, or for mandates imposed by the federal government, such as for homeland security or education. Since TABOR has the potential to affect the standard of living in Kansas, and because understanding how it works requires substantial educational outreach, AARP commissioned this study to learn what members know about TABOR, and how they react when introduced to information about its likely effects. A telephone survey, conducted December 8 through 12, 2005, of 806 Kansas AARP members was designed to gauge their attitudes and opinions about the TABOR proposal in Kansas. The survey also explores member views on the Kansas state budget, the value placed on protecting various state services likely to be affected by TABOR, and support for or opposition to TABOR.

1 David H. Bradley, Nicholas Johnson, and Iris J. Lav, The Flawed “Population Plus Inflation” Formula: Why TABOR’s Growth Formula Doesn’t Work, January 13, 2005. 2 Ibid. 3 U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, Interim State Population Projections, 2005. Internet Release Date: April 21, 2005.


Highlights

• The majority are not familiar with TABOR. While many Kansas members have seen, read, or heard something about TABOR in the last two years, six in ten have not.

• Support for TABOR declines and opposition to TABOR increases with more

information. Before AARP members heard both supporting and opposing arguments about TABOR, 39 percent strongly or somewhat supported it, and 30 percent strongly or somewhat opposed it. After hearing these arguments, 33 percent supported it, and 42 percent opposed it.

• Describing the effects of TABOR in Colorado is a strong argument against TABOR.

AARP members in Kansas are more likely to oppose TABOR when told that it would harm the state’s economy as it has in Colorado.

• Cuts to senior health care are most worrisome. If TABOR were passed and it required

some government services to be cut, AARP members would be most worried about health care for seniors, followed by primary education and health care for children.

• Kansas spends too little on services. Nearly half of AARP members in Kansas believe

the state is spending too little money on state government services.

• There is no consensus on adequacy of funding for health and long-term care. Kansas members disagree on the adequacy of funding for health and long-term care services in the state. Roughly the same percentage of members say that there is more than enough money, enough money, or not enough money to meet the need for services and ensure quality in health and long-term care services.


Findings Nearly half of AARP members in Kansas believe the state is spending too little money on state services. In this survey, state government services were defined as health and long-term care, repairing roads and highways, maintaining parks, providing education, and keeping people safe. Fewer than four in ten believe Kansas is spending enough money on these services while about one in ten believe the state is spending too much money.

How Much is Kansas Spending on State Services? (n=806)

Not sure/no response

9%

Too little money45%

Enough money37%

Too much money

9%

AARP members who are more likely to say that Kansas is spending too little money on government services:

• Are younger – 50 to 59 years (52%) compared to members 60 to 74 years (43%) and members 75+ years (40%)

• Characterize their political views as liberal (64%) compared to members who characterize their views as moderate (46%) or conservative (36%).


Kansas members disagree both on the adequacy of funding for health and long-term care services and the adequacy of funding for education in the state. AARP members were asked to describe the current funding for health and long-term care services and education services in terms of meeting needs and ensuring quality. About a quarter say that there is more than enough money, enough money, or not enough money respectively to meet the need for services and ensure quality in health and long-term care services. About one in five are not sure.

Similarly, AARP members are divided on their opinions about funding for education. About one in three each says that there is more than enough money or enough money, and one in four says there is not enough money to meet the need for services and ensure quality in education. Fewer than one in fourteen is not sure. With both funding areas, AARP members 75 and older are more likely to say they do not know:

• Health and long-term care services – 26%

• Education services – 13%

Current Funding in State Budget(n=806)

28%

33%

28%

32%

26% 27%

18%

7%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Health & Long-Term Care Services Education

More than enough money Enough money Not enough money Not sure


While many Kansas members have seen, read, or heard something about TABOR in the last two years, the majority have not. In this survey, TABOR was described as an amendment to the Kansas state constitution, which would limit increases in the amount of money that the state government can collect and spend to a formula of consumer inflation plus population growth. Under this amendment, if there is any revenue in a given year beyond this amount, part of it would go into rainy-day funds to be used in emergencies, and the rest would be returned to taxpayers as tax rebates. After being read this description of TABOR, nearly four in ten AARP members in Kansas say they have seen, read, or heard something about TABOR in the last two years, while six in ten have not.

Have You Seen, Read, or Heard Anything About TABOR?

(n=806)

Not sure2%

No60%

Yes38%

AARP members who are more likely to have seen, read, or heard about TABOR:

• Are men (44%) compared to women (32%) • Are married (41%) compared to members who are not married (30%) • Have higher incomes – $75,000+ (54%) compared to members with incomes $30,000-

$74,999 (43%) or incomes under $30,000 (20%) • Are college graduates (50%) compared to members who have attended some college

(33%) or have graduated from high school or less (24%) • Characterize their political views as moderate (43%) or liberal (49%) compared to

members who characterize their views as conservative (33%)


AARP members were read a series of five paired statements. Within each pair, one statement supported TABOR and one statement opposed it. Members then evaluated each statement in terms of whether it made them more likely to support TABOR, more likely to oppose TABOR, or it did not make a difference.

The following arguments were made in support of the TABOR amendment:

• TABOR will take power away from politicians and put it back in the hands of the people by requiring that any tax increase be approved by voters. After hearing this argument, six in ten members say they are more likely to support TABOR.

• TABOR will control runaway government spending and force the government to

operate more efficiently. After hearing this argument, about half of AARP members say they are more likely to support TABOR.

• TABOR will help the Kansas economy by returning money to Kansas taxpayers

through tax rebates and tax cuts. After hearing this argument, over four in ten AARP members say they are more likely to support TABOR.

• TABOR will be good for business because it would lower the taxes businesses have to

pay to operate in the state. After hearing this argument, nearly four in ten members say they are more likely to support TABOR, and this argument does not make a difference for about one in three members.

• TABOR will allow citizens to sue state government if they believe TABOR limits are

not being met. After hearing this argument, two in five members say they are more likely to oppose TABOR, and this argument does not make a difference for over one in three members.

More Likely to

Arguments For TABOR Support TABOR

Oppose TABOR

Does not make a

differenceGive citizens power 60% 20% 17% Control government spending 49% 22% 25% Return money to taxpayers 44% 23% 28% Good for business 37% 26% 32% Allow citizens to sue 19% 40% 35%


The following arguments were made in opposition to the TABOR amendment:

• TABOR will harm the Kansas economy as it has in Colorado, the only state that has passed TABOR. Colorado has had to severely cut programs and many officials and most businesses that originally supported the idea decided it was bad policy. In fact, on November 1, 2005, Colorado voters suspended TABOR for five years so that the state can recover. After hearing this argument, over six in ten AARP members say they are more likely to oppose TABOR.

• TABOR will cost taxpayers more money and would cause further strains on the state

budget to pay court costs and attorneys fees if citizens were allowed to sue the state government for enforcement of TABOR limits. After hearing this argument, about half say they are more likely to oppose it.

• TABOR will ruin the Kansas quality of life, forcing major cuts in health, education,

transportation, and public safety. After hearing this argument, nearly half of AARP members say they are more likely to oppose TABOR.

• TABOR will discourage businesses from staying in or relocating to Kansas because the

quality of life would be reduced and drive qualified job applicants out of the state. After hearing this argument, four in ten AARP members say they are more likely to oppose TABOR, and nearly another four in ten say this argument does not make a difference.

• TABOR will remove accountability and priority-setting by the state legislature by

putting budgetary decision-making on auto pilot. After hearing this argument, four in ten members say they are more likely to oppose TABOR, and nearly another four in ten say this argument does not make a difference.

More Likely to

Arguments Against TABOR Oppose TABOR

Support TABOR

Does not make a

difference Harm state economy 62% 9% 22% Cost taxpayers more money 49% 12% 33% Ruin quality of life 48% 14% 30% Discourage businesses in state 41% 14% 38% Remove government accountability

40% 13% 38%


Support for TABOR declines when AARP members hear both the pros and cons of TABOR. AARP members were asked twice in this survey if they supported or opposed TABOR. They were asked to gauge their support or opposition before hearing some pros and cons of TABOR, then asked again after hearing these arguments. Before hearing the supporting and opposing arguments, four in ten AARP members supported TABOR, and after hearing the arguments, over three in ten supported it. And before hearing the arguments, three in ten opposed the amendment, and after hearing the arguments, four in ten opposed it.

Support for or

Opposition to TABOR

Before Hearing Supporting &

Opposing Arguments

After Hearing Supporting &

Opposing Arguments

Strongly support 13% 9% Somewhat support 26% 24% Neither support or oppose 18% 20% Somewhat oppose 14% 19% Strongly oppose 16% 23% Don’t know 13% 5%

While the degree of support falls, some AARP members are still likely to strongly or somewhat support TABOR, both before and after hearing the pros and cons. These members are:

• Men

Before hearing the arguments, 45 percent of men strongly/somewhat supported TABOR compared to 35 percent of women.

After hearing the arguments, 37 percent of men strongly/somewhat supported TABOR compared to 30 percent of women.

• Conservative

Before hearing the arguments, 54 percent of members who characterize their political views as conservative strongly/somewhat supported TABOR compared to 33 percent of members who characterize their political views as moderate and 28 percent who characterize their political views as liberal.

After hearing the arguments, 44 percent of members who characterize their political views as conservative strongly/somewhat supported TABOR compared to 28 percent of members who characterize their political views as moderate and 25 percent who characterize their political views as liberal.


If TABOR were passed and it required some government services to be cut, AARP members would be most worried about health care for seniors. AARP members were asked if TABOR did become law in Kansas, and cuts in some government services were needed, which type of cuts would worry them the most and then the second most. Combining their primary and secondary worries, health care for seniors tops AARP members’ list, followed by primary education and health care for children.

Top Worries of Potential TABOR Cuts(n=806)

3%

4%

49%

40%

28%

17%

16%

9%

8%

8%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Trash and snow removal

Environmental protection

Roads and infrastructure

State colleges and universities

Nursing homes

Home care for seniors

Law enforcement and policing

Health care for children

K-12 education

Health care for seniors

While the top three worries – health care for seniors, primary education, and health care for children – did not vary by age group, AARP members 50-59 years (46%) were more likely to worry about K-12 public education cuts than members 75+ years (34%), and less likely to worry about home care for seniors (11%) than members 75+ (21%).


Conclusion Given the severe effects attributed to TABOR in Colorado over the last fifteen years, it is important for AARP Kansas to learn what AARP members in their state think about TABOR. This survey provides such information. While the majority of AARP members in Kansas have not seen, read, or heard anything about TABOR in the last two years, nearly two in five have. Those members more likely to have heard about TABOR are men, are married, have higher incomes, and have more education. After AARP members in Kansas heard all supporting and opposing arguments to TABOR, they were less likely to say they would support it and more likely to say they would oppose it. The strongest arguments that would make AARP members in Kansas more likely to support TABOR are:

• That TABOR would take power away from politicians and put it back in the hands of the people

• That TABOR would control runaway government spending and make it operate more efficiently

• That TABOR would return money to Kansas taxpayers The strongest arguments that would make AARP members in Kansas more likely to oppose TABOR are:

• That TABOR would harm the state economy like it did in Colorado • That TABOR would cost taxpayers more money to pay court costs if citizens were

allowed to sue the government to enforce TABOR limits • That TABOR would ruin the Kansas quality of life and force major cuts in services

If TABOR did pass in Kansas and cuts in government services were mandated, AARP members would be most worried about cuts to health care for seniors, followed by cuts to primary education.


Methodology

AARP commissioned Woelfel Research to conduct a telephone survey of randomly selected AARP members in Kansas with known telephone numbers. The survey was conducted between December 8th and 12th, 20054 and total of 806 interviews were completed. A sample of this size has a sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percent. Survey responses were weighted to reflect the actual distribution of age of the AARP members in Kansas. Weighted responses to all survey questions are in the attached annotated questionnaire.

4 The response rate is 19 percent and the cooperation rate is 80 percent. The response rate is Response Rate 3 and the cooperation rate is Cooperation Rate 3 (AAPOR, 2004).


Demographic Profile of Survey Respondents (n=806)

12%

41%

37%

1%

2%

95%

11%

19%

69%

46%

24%

30%

38%

58%

29%

40%

14%

46%

54%

28%

42%

27%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Liberal

Moderate

Conservative

Political Views___

Other

Black

White

Race__________

Other

Widowed

Married

Marital status___

College grad+

Some college

High school or less

Education_________

Employed

Retired

Employment____

50K+

$20K-<$50K

<$20K

Income________

Male

Female

Gender________

75+

60-74

50-59

Age___________

• Nine in ten members voted in the last ten years always (75%) or most of the time (15%). • About four in ten are extremely (10%) or very interested (31%) in Kansas state

government activities and another half say they are somewhat interested (49%). • One quarter (25%) of AARP members in Kansas report that they are or have been a state

or local government employee.


Annotated Questionnaire


2005 AARP KANSAS

TABOR SURVEY

Weighted N = 806; Sampling Error = 3.5%; Response Rate = 19% (Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.)

Introduction (ASK TO SPEAK WITH NAME LISTED IN SAMPLE FILE) Hello, my name is _____________. I’m calling on behalf of the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) from (research firm). We are conducting a survey with AARP members in Kansas to find out about members’ opinions on some important issues. Your views are important, and we would greatly appreciate your participation. Let me assure you, this is NOT a sales call and you will NOT be asked to buy anything either now or later. We are not telemarketers. The survey should take only about 10 minutes to complete. Of course, as with all (research firm) opinion surveys, your responses are kept entirely confidential.. (IF ASKED, “Where did you get my name?” SAY: “AARP provided a list of members for us to call.”) (IF RESPONDENT ASKS TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE FROM AARP ABOUT THIS STUDY TO VERIFY THAT IT IS IN FACT AN AARP STUDY OR IF THEY HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STUDY SAY: “You may call 1-888-687-2277 and ask for Joanne Binette.”)

VENDOR WILL INSERT THEIR OWN SCREENER

Q1. Do you think that Kansas is spending too much money, too little money, or enough money on state government services such as providing health and long-term care, repairing roads and highways, maintaining parks, providing education, and keeping people safe? % Too much money 9 Too little money 45 Enough money 37 NOT SURE/DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) 9 REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED) 1

Q2. Which of the following best describes current funding for health and long-term care services in Kansas? Do you think….(READ ENTIRE LIST AND ROTATE CATEGORIES. ENTER ONLY ONE RESPONSE.) % There is more than enough money in the state budget to meet the need for services and ensure quality?

28

There is enough money in the state budget to meet the need for services and ensure quality?

28

There is not enough money in the state budget to meet the need for services and ensure quality?

26

NOT SURE/DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) 18 REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED) 1


Q3. Which of the following best describes current funding for education in Kansas? Do you think….(READ ENTIRE LIST AND ROTATE CATEGORIES. ENTER ONLY ONE RESPONSE.) % There is more than enough money in the state budget to meet the need for services and ensure quality?

33

There is enough money in the state budget to meet the need for services and ensure quality?

32

There is not enough money in the state budget to meet the need for services and ensure quality?

27

NOT SURE/DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) 7 REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED) <.5

Next I’m going to read you a proposal, known as the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, or TABOR, that is currently in the state legislature in Kansas. The TABOR proposal is an amendment to the Kansas state constitution. It would limit increases in

the amount of money that the state government can collect and spend to a formula of consumer inflation plus population growth. Under this amendment, if there is any revenue in a given year beyond this amount, part of it would go into rainy-day funds to be used in emergencies, and the rest would be returned to taxpayers as tax rebates. (NOTE TO INTERVIEWER: If respondent does not know what a rainy day fund is read: A rainy day fund is a state savings account.) Extra funds could not be used to meet any growth in social obligations not allowed by the formula, nor for expanding state services or one-time projects such as road construction. Under this proposal any increases in taxes would require a vote of the people.

Q4. Have you seen, read, or heard anything about TABOR in the last two years? % Yes 38 No 60 NOT SURE/DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) 2 REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED) 0

Q5. How strongly do you support or oppose TABOR in Kansas? Do you…(READ EACH OPTION) % Strongly support 13 Somewhat support 26 Neither support nor oppose 18 Somewhat oppose 14 Strongly oppose 16 NOT SURE/DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) 13 REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED) <.5


Q6. I'm going to read you some of the things that supporters of TABOR say about the proposal and some of the things opponents say. For each one, please tell me whether it makes you more likely to support TABOR, oppose TABOR, or makes no difference. (ROTATE PAIRS AND WITHIN EACH PAIR ROTATE SUPPORTER AND OPPONENT ARGUMENTS. AFTER READING ARGUMENT THE INTERVIEWER MIGHT HAVE TO ASK AGAIN “DOES THIS MAKE YOU MORE LIKELY TO SUPPORT TABOR, MORE LIKELY TO OPPOSE TABOR, OR DOES IT MAKE NO DIFFERENCE?) Does not More likely More likely make a Not to support to oppose difference Sure Refused ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ a. Supporters of TABOR say that it would

control runaway government spending and force the government to operate more efficiently.

49%

22%

25%

4%

<.5%

b. Opponents of TABOR say that it would ruin to the Kansas’ quality of life, forcing major cuts in health, education, transportation, and public safety.

14%

48%

30%

8%

<.5%

c. Supporters of TABOR say that it would help the Kansas economy by returning money to Kansas taxpayers through tax rebates and tax cuts.

44%

23%

28%

5%

<.5%

d. Opponents of TABOR say that it would harm the Kansas economy as it has in Colorado, the only state that has passed TABOR. Colorado has had to severely cut programs and many officials and most businesses that originally supported the idea decided it was bad policy. In fact, on November 1st, 2005, Colorado voters suspended TABOR for five years so that the state can recover.

9%

62%

22%

6%

1%

e. Supporters of TABOR say that it would take power away from politicians and puts it back in the hands of the people by requiring that any tax increase be approved by voters.

60%

20%

17%

3%

<.5%


Q. 6 (continued) For each one, please tell me whether it makes you more likely to support TABOR, oppose TABOR, or makes no difference.

Does not More likely More likely make a Not to support to oppose difference Sure Refused ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ f. Opponents of TABOR say that it would

remove accountability and priority setting by the state legislature by putting budgetary decision making on auto pilot.

13%

40%

38%

8%

1%

g. Supporters of TABOR say that it would be good for businesses because it would lower the taxes businesses have to pay to operate in the state.

37%

26%

32%

5%

<.5% h. Opponents of TABOR say that it would

discourage businesses from staying in or relocating to Kansas because the quality of life would be reduced driving qualified job applicants out of the state.

14%

41%

38%

7%

1%

i. Supporters of TABOR say that it would allow citizens to sue state government if they believe TABOR limits are not being met.

19%

40%

35%

6%

<.5%

j. Opponents of TABOR say that it would cost taxpayers more money and would cause further strains on the state budget to pay court costs and attorney fees if citizens were allowed to sue the state government for the enforcement of TABOR limits.

12%

49%

33%

6%

<.5%

Q7. Having heard arguments both for and against TABOR, how strongly do you support or oppose TABOR in Kansas? Do you…(READ EACH OPTION) % Strongly support 9 Somewhat support 24 Neither support nor oppose 20 Somewhat oppose 19 Strongly oppose 23 NOT SURE/DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) 5 REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED) <.5


Q8. If TABOR were to pass and if it required that funding for some government services be cut, please tell me which ONE of these cuts would worry you the most. (READ AND ROTATE LIST. ACCEPT ONLY ONE RESPONSE. IF MORE THAN ONE, ASK: Well, if you had to pick just ONE, which one would you say worries you the most?) % K-12 Public education 25 Home care for seniors 5 Health care for children 12 Roads and infrastructure 3 Health care for seniors 29 Environmental protection 2 Trash and snow removal 1 Nursing homes 4 State colleges and universities 3 Law enforcement and policing 8 None (VOLUNTEERED) 0 NOT SURE/DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) (n=61) 8 REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED) 0

Q9. And please tell me which ONE of these cuts worries you the second most. (READ AND ROTATE LIST. ACCEPT ONLY ONE RESPONSE. IF MORE THAN ONE, ASK: Well, if you had to pick just ONE, which one would you say worries you the second most?) % K-12 Public education 15 Home care for seniors 10 Health care for children 16 Roads and infrastructure 5 Health care for seniors 20 Environmental protection 3 Trash and snow removal 2 Nursing homes 6 State colleges and universities 5 Law enforcement and policing 9 None (VOLUNTEERED) 0 NOT SURE/DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) 3 REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED) 0 NOT ASKED (n=61 respondents who said don’t know in question 8)

8


Demographics Now, the following questions are for classification purposes only and will be kept entirely confidential. D1) RECORD GENDER: DO NOT ASK % Male 46 Female 54 REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED) 0

D2) What is your age as of your last birthday? ________ (in years) % Under 50 1 50-59 27 60-74 42 75+ 28 REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED) 1

D3) What is your county of residence? ________________________

REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED) DON’T KNOW

D4) Thinking about your state elections for Kansas Governor and State Legislators in the last ten years, how often would you say you vote? Would you say you vote always, most of the time, about half of the time, seldom, or never? % Always 75 Most of the time 15 About half of the time 3 Seldom 3 Never 3 NOT SURE/DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) 0 REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED) <.5

D5) Generally speaking, would you characterize your political views as being…? (READ LIST ENTER ONLY ONE) % Conservative 37 Moderate 41 Liberal 12 Other [Specify: ________________________________] 5 NOT SURE/DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) 4 REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED) 1


D6) How interested are you in Kansas state government activities? % Extremely interested 10 Very interested 31 Somewhat interested 49 Not very interested 7 Not at all interested 3 NOT SURE/DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) <.5 REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED) <.5

D7) What is your current marital status? % Married 69 Not married, living with partner 1 Separated 0 Divorced 8 Widowed 19 Never married 2 NOT SURE/DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) 0 REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED) 1

D8) What is the highest level of education that you completed? % Less than high school 4 High school graduate (or equivalent) 26 Some college or technical training beyond high school 24 College graduate 27 Post-graduate or professional degree 19 NOT SURE/DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) 0 REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED) 1

D9) Which of the following best describes your current employment status? % Employed or self-employed full-time 29 Employed or self-employed part-time 8 Retired and not working 58 Not in the labor force for other reasons 3 Unemployed and looking for work 1 NOT SURE/DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) 0 REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED) 1

D10) Are you or have you ever been a state or local government employee? % Yes 25 No 74 NOT SURE/DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) <.5 REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED) 1


D11) What is your race? % White or Caucasian 95 Black or African American 2 Other 1 NOT SURE/DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) <.5 REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED) 2

D12) What was your annual household income before taxes in 2004? % Less than $10,000 3 More than $10,000 but less than $20,000 11 More than $20,000 but less than $30,000 16 More than $30,000 but less than $40,000 13 More than $40,000 but less than $50,000 11 More than $50,000 but less than $75,000 13 $75,000 or more 15 NOT SURE/DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) 4 REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED) 14

That’s all the questions we have for you today. Thank you very much for your time.

AARP Knowledge Management

For more information contact Joanne Binette: (202) 434-6303 or [email protected]

kansas tabor: a survey of aarp members · tabor: a survey of aarp members, february 2006 3 aarp is...

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