Dr. McNinch makes a new survey

Our Pal Dr. Ron has released the results of a survey. Some interesting data, though some say, it i interesting that they would be asking the question on COLA anyway...Trial Balloon?

Ron's data follows:

Students of PA 402 Public Policy conducted a brief survey over the weekend.
These are from items in the local media.



150 Registered voters surveyed by telephone between September 1-3 2007. This type of sample has an error rate of about 8%; 4% using our adjusted error rate table. Below are two questions from this Public Policy class Survey:



COLA Payment Question

Right now there are a number of ideas to pay the COLA recipients. Which of the following ideas do you like best:

(A) Go to court and try to avoid paying; 6%

(B) Give the COLA recipients individual bonds instead of direct payments; 13%

© The Government should get a bond and pay the COLA recipients off; 45% or

(D) None of the above. 35%

Analysis:

About one third of the public does not have an opinion on this issue. Of the remaining 65%, the strong consensus (45/65 or ~70%) support the idea of getting a bond to pay off the obligation off directly. While about one in five of these who have an opinion like the individual bond idea, the direct consensus supports paying off the recipients.



Window Tinting Question

Right now there are a number of ideas regarding blackout window tinting. Which of the following ideas do you like best:

(B) Blackout window tinting should be phased out or banned because it is a public safety hazard; 37%

(C) People have an absolute right to privacy and blackout tinting protects privacy; 36%

(D) No tinting should be used in any vehicle; 7%

(E) None of the above. 19%



Analysis:

About 80% or four out of five voters have an opinion on window tinting. According to our studies conducted in the last five years for seatbelt use, about one third of cars on Guam have blackout tinting. In this study, 36% of voters support window dark tinting (adjusted 36/81 = 44%.) Of those in favor of regulation, 37% support some regulation and an additional 7% prefer a ban on all tinting. (Adjusted, 37/81 = 46% plus 7/81 = 9% ~= 55% in favor of regulation.) While it should be noted that Senator Ishizaki's proposal to better regulate tinting only affects front windshields, there is likely support to address blackout tinting in general.