Transportation Construction Alliance - Virginia Statewide - Public Release 1-24-13

7/29/2019 Transportation Construction Alliance - Virginia Statewide - Public Release 1-24-13

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Project #13025

Key findings from a statewide survey of 500 likely voters in Virginia, with 125 cell

phone interviews, conducted January 19-21, 2012.


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Public Opinion Strategies is pleased to present the key findingsof a statewide telephone survey conducted in Virginia. Thesurvey was completed January 19-21, 2012, among 500 likelyvoters and has a margin of error of +4.38%. The surveyincluded 120 interviews with cell phone respondents.

Jim Hobart and Keith Frederick were the principal researchers

on this project. Court Hall provided analytical support.


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In conducting the survey, we used a Random Digit Dialing (RDD) sample for the 375 interviews conducted via

landline. An RDD sample generates a random list of phone numbers at telephone exchanges within a given

geographic area (i.e. county or state).

For the 125 interviews conducted via cell phone, sample is generated using a similar process as RDD. Cell

sample generates a random list of phone numbers by utilizing specific cell phone exchanges within a given

geographic area (i.e. county or state).

Looking at the demographics, they closely mirror what an off-year electorate in Virginia will look like. By

ethnicity, 68% of the sample was white, 20% was African American, 5% was Hispanic, 3% was Asian and1% was some other race. Three percent (3%) of respondents refused to state their ethnicity. These

percentages are almost identical to the numbers in the 2012 exit poll.

By age, 39% of respondents were age 18-44, 42% were age 45-64, and 19% were age 65+. Again, these

numbers are close to the percentages in the 2012 exit poll, while also reflecting the likelihood that the 2013

electorate in Virginia will be an older electorate than what we saw in 2012.

Finally, by party, 39% of respondents identified themselves as Republicans, 42% as Democrats, and 18% said

they were Independent. As with the age and ethnicity demographics, these numbers are similar to what wesaw in the 2012 exit polls while also indicating that the 2013 electorate will likely be slightly more Republican.


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Would you say that things in Virginia are going in the right direction,

or have they pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track?

67% 66%

53%

62%

53%

24% 26%

33%

23%

39%

Base GOP(22%)

Soft GOP(17%)

Independent(18%)

SoftDemocrat

(16%)

BaseDemocrat

(26%)

Right Direction Wrong Track

RightDirection

60%

WrongTrack30%

No Opinion9%

Refused1%

Overall By Party

+14%+39%+40%+43% +20%

Voters across party lines have a positive

outlook on the direction of the state.


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The Presidents job approval mirrors the election results.

Thinking nationally, do you approve or disapprove of the job Barack Obama is doing as President?

Total Approve: 51%

Total Disapprove: 48%

2%13%

48%

88%

98%98%

87%

49%

10%2%

Base GOP(22%)

Soft GOP(17%)

Independent(18%)

SoftDemocrat

(16%)

BaseDemocrat

(26%)

Total Approve Total Disapprove

StronglyApprove

34%

SomewhatApprove

17%

SomewhatDisapprove

7%

DefinitelyDisapprove

41%

Don't Know1%

By Party

+96%+78%-74%-96% -1%


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Thinking now about transportation, it has been 26 years since Virginia lawmakers passed any type of

long-term plan for transportation funding. How important is it to you that lawmakers pass a

transportation funding plan this session to address this issue?

Very Important44%

SomewhatImportant

39%

Not VeryImportant

11%

Not At AllImportant

5%

Don't Know1%

An overwhelming majority of Virginians say it is important that

lawmakers pass a long-term funding plan for transportation.

Total Important: 83%

Total Not Important: 16%


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Still thinking about Transportation, Virginia is taking $364 million per year right now away from new

construction projects to fund simple maintenance projects like patching potholes. That amount will grow

to $500 million per year soon, which means there will be no funding available for new highways and

roads. How concerning is this new construction budget shortfall to you?

Very Concerning38%

SomewhatConcerning

41%

Not VeryConcerning

14%

Not At AllConcerning

6%

Don't Know1%

The budget shortfall for new road construction is a

concern for a large majority of voters in Virginia.

Total Concerning: 79%

Total Not Concerning: 20%


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Now I would like to read you a description of the proposed transportation plan

Do you favor or oppose this plan?

A majority of Virginians favor the

Governors transportation plan.

As you may know, Governor Bob

McDonnells transportation plan wouldclose the shortfall in the states road

maintenance account and inject more

than $3 billion into Virginias highways,

rail, and transit systems in the next five

years and continue to provide fundingin the years to follow. This additional

revenue would be generated by

eliminating the current gas tax of

seventeen point five cents per gallon

and replacing it with and eight tenths ofone penny increase in the states sales

tax. The additional revenue from the

state sales tax increase would be

dedicated entirely to transportation.

StronglyFavor

23%

SomewhatFavor38%

Somewhat

Oppose15%

Strongly

Oppose16%

Don't Know7%

Refused1%*

Total Favor: 62%*Total Oppose: 31%

*Denotes Rounding


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72%69%

57%61%

51%

22% 23%

32% 31%

43%

Base GOP(22%)

Soft GOP(17%)

Independent(18%)

Soft Democrat(16%)

Base Democrat(26%)

Total Favor Total Oppose

By Party

+8%+30%+46%+50% +25%

Support for the Governors transportation

plan is strong across party lines.


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Virginians in all media markets are

in favor of the Governors proposal.

Washington, D.C. (36%)Roanoke (14%)

Norfolk (22%)

Richmond (18%)

Other (11%)

Favor 60%

Oppose 33%

Favor 74%

Oppose 19%

Favor 59%

Oppose 37%

Favor 66%

Oppose 28%

Favor 57%

Oppose 29%

By DMA


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73%

64%58%

54%

75%69%

18%

32% 33%39%

18%

26%

Very Conservative(20%)

SomewhatConservative

(18%)

Moderate(39%)

Liberal(20%)

Moderate/LiberalGOP

(12%)

ConservativeInd/Dem

(12%)

Total Favor Total Oppose

By Ideology

+57%+15%+32%+55% +25%

Virginians across the ideological spectrum favor

the Governors transportation proposal.

+43%


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Some people say that in order to increase transportation funding, the

current gas tax of seventeen point five cents per gallon should be

eliminated and replaced with an eight tenths of a penny increase in the

state sales tax. The additional revenue from the state sales tax increase

would be dedicated entirely to transportation and Virginias state sales taxwould still be the lowest in the region.

Voters overwhelmingly prefer the Governors

plan to an alternative plan being floated.

Other people say that in order to increase transportation funding, the

current gas tax of seventeen point five cents per gallon should beincreased by ten cents to twenty seven point five cents per gallon. The gas

tax would also be indexed to inflation so that it would increase at the

same rate as inflation.

Still thinking about transportation, there are two proposals to increase transportation funding that

involve the gas tax. I am going to read you both proposals and please tell me

which one comes closest to your own opinion.

69%

21%

while


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Some people say that since it has been 26 years since Virginia did

anything long-term to improve transportation, the state needs new

funding or else job creation and growth will be hurt in the state. They say

the state needs to pass a transportation funding plan this year.

A strong majority of voters say it is time to improve

transportation so job creation and growth wont be hurt.

Other people say Virginias economy is doing fine without moretransportation funding. They say Virginia should continue to wait and

address transportation later because the national economy remains shaky.

Continuing to think about transportation, I would like to read you two statements about transportation

funding in the state. After I read each one, please tell me which comes closest to your own opinion.

69%

27%

while


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Documents

Transportation Construction Alliance - Virginia Statewide - Public Release 1-24-13