Los Angeles Times

March 13, 2006

Citywide Survey Results

Los Angeles TimesJune 21, 2009

June 10-16, 2009

1500 Registered Voters

June 2009

This survey was conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner in conjunction with Public Opinion Strategies for the Los Angeles Times.

These findings are based on a citywide telephone survey of 1500 registered voters (210 African American respondents, 207 unweighted; 390 Latino respondents, 502 unweighted; 210 respondents reached on cell phone, 234 unweighted) conducted June 10-16, 2009. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percent.

• May 2005 data from Los Angeles Times city poll of 3,236 Los Angeles adults conducted May 2-8, 2005. Data presented from the 2,176 registered voters within the sample.

• February 2005 data from Los Angeles Times city poll of 2,525 Los Angeles adults conducted February 21-27, 2005. Data presented from the 1,636 registered voters within the sample.

• Early February 2005 data from Los Angeles Times city poll of 2,045 Los Angeles adults conducted January 26 through February 3, 2005. Data presented from the 1,454 registered voters within the sample.

The survey

Greenberg Quinlan RosnerPage 2 |

June 2009

Status of the City and State


June 2009

30

6156

66

232224

61

Right Wrong Right Wrong Right Wrong Right Wrong

Right Direction Wrong Track

All Voters Latinos African Americans


Whites

Los Angeles on the wrong track

And now, generally speaking, do you think that things in the city of Los Angeles are going in the right direction, or do you feel things have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track?

June 2009

56

2428

61

Right Wrong Right Wrong

Right Direction Wrong Track

May 2005 June 2009


Pessimism higher 4 years later

And now, generally speaking, do you think that things in the city of Los Angeles are going in the right direction, or do you feel things have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track?

June 2009

3

9

11

19

31

43

7

18

50

0 15 30 45 60

The budget deficit

Traffic Congestion

Education

Taxes and spending

Now, I am going to read you a list of concerns that people have. Please tell me which TWO of these you think the mayor and city government of Los Angeles should be paying the most attention to.

Civic services and economics top Angelenos’ concerns

Race relations

Crime

Jobs and economic development

City services like trash collection, sidewalk repair

Air and water pollution

June 2009

47

17

21

7

11

7

8

50

35

20

32

8

100 75 50 25 0 25 50 75 100

Strongly Disapprove Strongly Approve

16 77

Bill Bratton as Chief of Police

LAPD, Obama highly approved, Schwarzenegger struggles

Do you approve or disapprove of the job being done by…

17 72Barack Obama as President

13 66

The LA Police Department

37 55

The LA City Council 34 42

Antonia Villaraigosa as Mayor of Los Angeles

67 29Arnold Schwarzenegger as Governor of California

June 2009

9

7

17

7

32

21

35

27

100 75 50 25 0 25 50 75 100

Feb. 2005

June 2009

Feb. 2005

June 2009


16 77

Bill Bratton as Chief of Police

LAPD, Bratton approval on rise since 2005

Do you approve or disapprove of the job being done by…

34 59

13 66

The LA Police Department

20 63

June 2009

37

8 11

26

3835

7

Approve Disapprove Approve Disapprove Approve Disapprove Approve Disapprove

Strongly Approve Strongly Disapprove

LAPD approval extremely high across ethnic groups

Do you approve or disapprove of the job being done by… the Los Angeles Police Department?

16

77

19

76

25

68


All Voters Latinos African AmericansWhites

11

81

June 2009

35

1115

26

12

20 2128

Approve Disapprove Approve Disapprove Approve Disapprove Approve Disapprove

Strongly Approve Strongly Disapprove

Villaraigosa’s approval strongest among Latinos

Do you approve or disapprove of the job being done by… Antonio Villaraigosa as Los Angeles Mayor?

37

55

22

72

32

62



4744

June 2009

26

1510

2126

3126

3237

48

3932

Toomuch

Too little Right Toomuch



Too little Right

Too much influence Too little influence About right amount

City employee unions have too much influence

Now I'd like to ask you something a little different. How would you rate the level of influence that city employee unions have on the city government? Would you say that those unions have too much influence, too little influence or about the right amount of influence over the city government?



June 2009

30

59

69

55

434340

56

Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No


40 percent of voters have seriously considered leaving L.A.

In the last couple of years have you seriously thought about moving out of Los Angeles to another town or city?


June 2009

16

22

29

16

46

0 10 20 30 40 50

Crime

Loss of a Job

Please tell me which TWO, if any, of the following caused you to most think about leaving Los Angeles

Cost of housing key component to thoughts of leaving

Public Schools

Traffic

Cost of Housing

June 2009

45

37

46

54

37

68

56

27

Should Should Not Should Should Not Should Should Not Should Should Not


African Americans against same-sex marriage, Latinos divided

Do you think marriages between same-sex couples should or should not be recognized by the law as valid?


June 2009

51

33

4641 39

5953

3845

53

Should Should Not Should Should Not Should Should Not Should Should Not Should Should Not


Division in Latino community over support of same-sex marriage

Do you think marriages between same-sex couples should or should not be recognized by the law as valid?

All Latinos Latino WomenLatino Men Over 50Under 50 Latinos

June 2009

Position of the Mayor


June 2009

35

17

9 10

18

8

17

25

Favorable Unfavorable Favorable Unfavorable Favorable Unfavorable Favorable Unfavorable

Very Favorable Very Unfavorable

Villaraigosa viewed favorably, very favorably among Latinos

What is your impression of Antonio Villaraigosa? As of today, is it very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, very unfavorable -- or haven't you heard enough about him to say?


36

52

22

67

24

62


4743

June 2009

15 17

29

17

Favorable Unfavorable Favorable Unfavorable

Very Favorable Very Unfavorable

Villaraigosa favorability down since first running for election

What is your impression of Antonio Villaraigosa? As of today, is it very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, very unfavorable -- or haven't you heard enough about him to say?


36

52

62

31

May 2005 June 2009

June 2009 Greenberg Quinlan RosnerPage 19 |

3934

21

38

27

14

22

39

Villaraigosa New Villaraigosa New Villaraigosa New Villaraigosa New

Villaraigosa Direction Strongly New Direction Strongly

Should go in new direction from the mayor’s

Generally speaking do you think that the city of Los Angeles is better off because of Antonio Villaraigosa's policies and should continue in the direction he has set, or do you think that Los Angeles is not better off and needs to move in a new direction?

49

3934

5751

40


56

32

June 2009

63

48

30

4248

30

42

58

Should Should Not Should Should Not Should Should Not Should Should Not


Only Latinos supportive of Villaraigosa gubernatorial candidacy

As you may have heard, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is considering running for governor of California. In your opinion, do you think Mayor Villaraigosa SHOULD run for governor, or SHOULD NOT run for governor?


June 2009

28

12 14

35

Antonio Villaraigosa Jerry Brown Gavin Newsom Undecided

Antonio Villaraigosa Jerry Brown Gavin Newsom Undecided


Eligible Democratic primary voters narrowly favor Villaraigosa for nominationI know it is a long way off, but thinking about the Democratic primary for governor in 2010, if the Democratic primary election for governor were held today and the candidates were Antonio Villaraigosa, Gavin Newsom and Jerry Brown, for whom would you vote?

31

38

13

Note: Question was asked of all registered Democrats and respondents who are registered “decline to state” but indicated that they usually vote in Democratic primaries.

June 2009

37

11

27

65

18

39

7

Villaraigosa Brown Newsom Villaraigosa Brown Newsom Villaraigosa Brown Newsom

Antonio Villaraigosa Jerry Brown Gavin Newsom

Latino Democratic primary voters strongly for Villaraigosa

Whites Latinos African Americans

I know it is a long way off, but thinking about the Democratic primary for governor in 2010, if the Democratic primary election for governor were held today and the candidates were Antonio Villaraigosa, Gavin Newsom and Jerry Brown, for whom would you vote?


22

41

68

812

43

6

32

19

Note: Question was asked of all registered Democrats and respondents who are registered “decline to state” but indicated that they usually vote in Democratic primaries.

June 2009

38

13

2

8

14

7

7

2

2

1

9

11

6

0 10 20 30 40

Now, regardless of whether you believe the city is better off due to Mayor Villaraigosa's policies or not, thinking back over the past four years, what would you say is Antonio Villaraigosa's most important accomplishment as mayor of Los Angeles?

FIGHTING CRIME

Public Safety

Police Force

QUALITY OF LIFE

EDUCATION

Traffic/Transportation

Environmental

NOTHING

ECONOMY/JOBS

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER

Cleaning up City

Fire Prevention

Open end: Villaraigosa’s greatest accomplishment is police force

DON’T KNOW/REFUSED

June 2009

Villaraigosa’s greatest accomplishments

June 2009

34

7

2

3

9

5

10

8

2

14

15

0 10 20 30 40

Now, regardless of whether you believe the city is better off due to Mayor Villaraigosa's policies or not, thinking back over the past four years, what would you say is Antonio Villaraigosa's biggest failure as mayor of Los Angeles?

ECONOMY

Budget

Jobs

BAD PUBLIC RELATIONS

EDUCATION

Not focused on L.A.

Private Life

NOTHING

QUALITY OF LIFE

Open end: Villaraigosa’s greatest failing is education, absence

Traffic

DON’T KNOW/REFUSED

June 2009

Villaraigosa’s greatest failings

June 2009

37

27

27

40

29

27

12

12

8

12

29

31

17

10

12

6

100 75 50 25 0 25 50 75 100


Strong disapproval on Villaraigosa’s handling of economy, budget

Now I'm going to read you a list of issues. For each one, I would like you to tell me if you approve or disapprove of the job being done by Mayor Villaraigosa on that issue.

22 69

The city's budget deficit

46 35

Taxes

49 39

Public Schools 61 30

Crime

48 39

Traffic congestion in LA

50 36

Making LA "greener“, more environmentally friendly

60 25

Bringing new jobs to LA

25 63

The economy

June 2009

Affair has little impact on Villaraigosa’s future votes


14

70 6874 76

15 1710

Less Likely No Impact Less Likely No Impact Less Likely No Impact Less Likely No Impact

Much less likely Somewhat less likely No impact on voter

As you may know, two years ago, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa confirmed that he had been having an affair with a television newscaster named Mirthala Salinas. Now, please tell me if you feel the Mayor's affair with Salinas is a private matter that has no impact on whether you vote for him in the future, or if the Mayor's affair with Salinas makes you less likely to vote for him in future elections.

2822

20


32

June 2009

The City’s Economy

June 2009

Optimism for economic improvement especially among Latinos

Six months from now, do you expect Los Angeles' economy will be better than now, worse than now or about the same as now?


37

20 2216 17

40 43

31

43

3237

50

Better Worse Same Better Worse Same Better Worse Same Better Worse Same

Better than now Worse than now About the same


June 2009

8

7

6

30

31

49

51

59

50 25 0 25 50 75 100

Does not contribute much at all Contribute a great deal

7918The entertainment industry

Entertainment industry contributes a great deal to LA economy

Now I am going to read you some businesses and industries and for each I'd like you to tell me how much you think that particular business or industry contributes to the Los Angeles economy. Does it contribute a great deal, contribute a good amount, contribute just a little bit or do you feel it does not contribute much at all to Los Angeles' economy.

7918Tourism

7118The ports and global trade

6135

Science and technology 6129

Professional sports teams

June 2009

12

28

25

18

26

41

53

35

48

0 25 50 75 100

Impacted me/my family Impacted someone I know

Impact of economic recession

I'm going to read you a list of ways in which the economic recession has impacted people. For each one, please tell me if it has impacted you or your family directly in the last year or so, if it has impacted someone you know well, such as a friend, neighbor, or coworker, or if it has not impacted you or anyone you know well.

75

Reduced wages or hours at work

70

Lost health insurance coverage

60

Delayed retirement

47

Fallen behind on mortgage payments 46

Delayed or cancelled doc. visit, filling a Rx or a medical procedure due to cost

43

Delayed a major purchase such as a car, a TV or a kitchen appliance

42

Investments down 25 percent or more

37Home foreclosed

75

Loss of a job

No Impact

23

25

24

50

38

52

52

55

62

June 2009

17

23

6

27

39

19

34

53

29

0 25 50 75 100

Impacted me/my family Impacted someone I know

Elements of recession hit racial groups differently

I'm going to read you a list of ways in which the economic recession has impacted people. For each one, please tell me if it has impacted you or your family directly in the last year or so, if it has impacted someone you know well, such as a friend, neighbor, or coworker, or if it has not impacted you or anyone you know well.

86

68

Lost health insurance coverage

44

57

45

27

59

46

Home foreclosed

73

Loss of a job

No Impact

26

32

13

57

44

45

72

39

52African-Americans

Latinos

Whites

African-Americans

Latinos

Whites

African Americans

Latinos

Whites

June 2009

The City’s Budget


June 2009

75

3 4

Deficit Surplus On Budget

Serious Deficit Not Serious Deficit On Budget Running Surplus

Angelenos aware of budget deficit

Now I'd like to ask you if you feel that the city of Los Angeles is currently running a budget surplus, if the city is currently "on budget" meaning spending as much but not more than it has taken in, or if the city is running a budget deficit?


82

June 2009

12

13

21

34

7

39

40

0 10 20 30 40

State leaders have been wasteful and not spent wisely in recent years

Lobbyists and special interests

Spending requirements imposed by the state

City leaders have been wasteful and not spent wisely in recent years

As you may know the city of Los Angeles is facing a 529 million dollar budget deficit in the coming fiscal year. In your own view, which TWO of the following are MOST responsible for Los Angeles' current budget deficit?

Spending the central cause for the LA budget deficit

City employees are overpaid

The national recession

Corporations and the wealthy are not paying their fair share

June 2009

48

47

42 14

22

25

28

18

100 75 50 25 0 25 50 75

Strongly Oppose Strongly Favor

Leasing out city-owned parking garages and parking meters to private companies to bring in more revenue

Now I'd like to read you a list of different proposals people in Los Angeles city government are proposing to close the budget deficit. After I read each item, please tell me whether you FAVOR or OPPOSE that proposal.

Ways to close the LA budget deficit

5434Furloughs for city workers

5043

Raising fees for city services such as garbage collection, parks or libraries

3165Stopping the planned hiring of new officers for the Los Angeles Police Department

3365

Laying off city workers 2373

June 2009

62

3733

58

Support Oppose Support Oppose

Support Oppose

6-in-10 oppose additional taxes regardless of purpose

Tax for Fire Services Improvement Tax for General City Services

Please tell me if you would support or oppose a ballot measure that would increase Los Angeles sales or property taxes to raise revenue to improve fire services.

Please tell me if you would support or oppose a ballot measure that would increase Los Angeles sales or property taxes to raise revenue to improve basic city services such as parks, libraries and street repairs.


June 2009

Public Education


June 2009

31

5

36

Excellent/ Good Fair/ Poor Excellent/ Good Fair/ Poor

Excellent Poor


City’s public school condition changed little since 2005

In general, how would you rate the overall quality of education at your local public schools today: is it excellent, good, fair or poor?

69

23

61

24

February 2005 June 2009

June 2009

36

36

31

14

16

19

21

29

28

21

50 25 0 25 50

Gotten Worse Gotten Better

Reducing the dropout rate to keep students in high school

Now I am going to read you different areas in which some people may say the Los Angeles public schools have improved over the past four years and for each I'd like you to tell me, in your opinion, if you feel the Los Angeles public schools have gotten better, gotten worse or stayed about the same in that area.

Safety improving, but 1/3 see schools at status quo

Preparing students for college

Preparing students to get jobs after they graduate

Teaching basic skills to all students

Safety in schools

Stayed Same

35

34

36

33

30

June 2009

Public Safety


June 2009

8 812

5661

40

62

7

21

10 6 6

Safer Less Same Safer Less Same Safer Less Same Safer Less Same

Much safer Much less safe Safe as 4 years ago

Latinos feel safer; African Americans, whites see status quo

When it comes to the threat of crime, do you feel safer in your community than you did four years ago, do you feel less safe, or do you feel just about as safe in your community as you did four years ago?


2214

20

39

2022


1917

June 2009

32

27

20

24

41

40

41

45

100 75 50 25 0 25 50 75 100

First Statement Strongly Second Statement Strongly First – Second

26Whites

All Voters

African Americans

Latinos

Now I’m going to read you some pairs of statements. After I read each pair, please tell me whether the FIRST statement or the SECOND statement comes closer to your own view, even if neither is exactly right.

Strong support behind continuing to increase the police force

First Statement: Some people say that with crime down and the city facing a 529 million dollar budget deficit, continuing to hire another thousand police officers over the next few years does not make sense right now.

Second Statement: Other people say that crime is still a significant issue facing the city and that the Los Angeles Police Department needs to be larger, so we need to complete the plan to increase the force by 1,000 officers to keep our city safe.

35 61

8

195738

16

5244

39 55

June 2009

32

16

34

1 1

All the Same TougherBlacks

TougherLatinos

TougherAsians

TougherWhites

A third say LAPD is tougher on blacks

Generally speaking, do you think the Los Angeles Police Department is tougher on blacks, tougher on Latinos, tougher on Asians, tougher on whites, or do you think the police treat all groups the same way?


June 2009

46

8

16

3234

32

10 10

All theSame

TougherBlacks

TougherLatinos

TougherAsians

TougherWhites

All theSame

TougherBlacks

TougherLatinos

TougherAsians

TougherWhites

Since 2005, view LAPD tougher on Latinos increased; blacks decreased



February 2005 June 2009

June 2009

53

8

24

0 0


TougherLatinos

TougherAsians

TougherWhites

African Americans see themselves treated tougher by police



June 2009

23

3333

1 2


TougherLatinos

TougherAsians

TougherWhites

Latinos see themselves, African Americans treated tougher



June 2009

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