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Other Findings: Most Arizonans Don't Know Why Judge is Fining State; Oppose Bush on Port Plan TEMPE, Ariz. – Two out of every three Arizona voters support the use of photo radar by cities such as Scottsdale to catch speeders on state highways, according to a new Cronkite-Eight Poll. The statewide telephone poll of 375 registered voters conducted by the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University and Eight/KAET-TV found that 64 percent support city government use of photo radar on state highways and freeways, while 32 percent oppose it. Women and people over 65 were the most supportive, the poll found. Although six municipalities in the Phoenix metropolitan area use photo radar on city streets, Scottsdale became the only one in the nation to do so on a state freeway when it deployed six photo radar devices along a 7.8-mile section of Loop 101 that cuts through Scottsdale. Voters also believe photo radar is a deterrent to speeding, with 72 percent saying that the technology is effective, while only 20 percent said that the cameras do not reduce speeding. Dr. Bruce Merrill, a Cronkite School professor and nationally known researcher who conducts the monthly survey, said, “Nearly three-fourths of those interviewed said they believe that photo radar is an effective way to reduce dangerous speed on our freeways. For most Arizonans, support for photo radar is about safety, not about where the freeway happens to be located.” On another topic, the Cronkite-Eight Poll found that a majority of Arizona voters (56 percent) do not know why a federal judge imposed a $500,000-a-day fine – now up to $1 million a day – against the state government. Only 44 percent were able to identify the reason for the fine. The fine was imposed Dec. 16 after Gov. Janet Napolitano and the Legislature failed to meet a judge's deadline to develop a plan to pay for improving English language education for the state's non-English-speaking schoolchildren. The Cronkite-Eight Poll found that nearly twice as many of those who could identify the reason for the fine blame the Legislature (32 percent) than the governor (16 percent) for the impasse; however, 38 percent said Napolitano and the lawmakers share the blame equally. The Cronkite-Eight Poll also found: • Arizonans oppose the Bush administration's move to give permission to a company owned by the United Arab Emirates to manage operations at six major U.S. ports. Fifty-eight percent said they oppose the action, while 22 percent support it. • Voters also are against legislation in the state Senate that would allow university and community college students to “opt out” of coursework that they believe violates their religious, moral or sexual beliefs. The survey found that 58 percent oppose the bill, while 30 percent support it. The survey, which was conducted Feb. 23-26, had a sampling error of plus or minus 5.1 percent. Fifty-eight percent of the interviews were conducted in Maricopa County, 17 percent in Pima County, and 25 percent in the less populated counties. The sample was 40 percent Republican, 35 percent Democrat and 25 percent independent. Fifty-two percent of voters interviewed were female and 48 percent were male. The data were weighted by gender. Question wording: 1. Several cities in Arizona use photo radar to catch speeders. Do you 1.favor or 2. oppose using photo radar to catch speeders on city streets? 3. don't know/no opinion
Women and people over 65 were most supportive. 2. The City of Scottsdale recently began using photo radar to catch speeders on a section of state freeway Loop 101 that runs through the city. Do you think cities 1. should or 2. should not be able to regulate the speed of automobiles on state highways and freeways that run through their cities? 3. don't know/no opinion
3. Whether you favor or oppose using photo radar to catch speeders, do you think the use of photo radar is an effective way to reduce speeding?? 1. yes 2. no 3. don't know/no opinion
Women and people over 65 were most supportive. 4. On another topic, a federal judge has imposed a fine of five-hundred-thousand dollars a day against the state government in Arizona. Do you know why the judge imposed the fine?
*of these, 8 percent of the respondents could not actually identify the issue, resulting in a net of 44% of the total respondents who knew why the judge imposed the fine. 5 ASK ONLY IF YES TO QUESTION #4: In your own words, can you tell me what the fine is for? Correct explanation 165 individuals (44 % of total sample; 85% of those who said they knew what the issue was) Incorrect explanation 30 individuals (8% of total sample; 15% of those who said they knew what the issue was) Results: 44% of the registered voters interviewed actually knew what the fine isfor. A majority (56%) did not know what the fine is for.
6. The State of Arizona is paying a fine of five-hundred-thousand dollars a day because the governor and the state Legislature have not been able to agree on a plan to teach non-English speaking students how to speak English. Which of the following comes closest to your opinion about who is most to blame for the inability to agree on a plan. (ALTERNATE ORDER IN WHICH YOU READ THESE)
Results for all interviewed: Among all registered voters, 7% blame the governor and 14% blame the Legislature. Women were more likely to blame the Legislature rather than the governor. Republicans and social conservatives were more likely to blame the governor. Moderates, Democrats and seculars (those don't attend church and are pro-choice) are more likely to blame the Legislature. Results for those with an opinion: Twice as many people who knew what the issue is said the Legislature rather than the governor is to blame for the fine (32% to 14%). Another way to look at the data is that 44% feel the governor has some blame (16% plus 38%) while 70% (32% plus 38%) feel the Legislature is partially to blame. Almost one-in four (38%) say they really don't know who is to blame 7. The Arizona Senate is considering a bill that would allow university and community college students to “opt out” of coursework that violates their religious, moral or sexual beliefs. Instructors would be required to provide alternative coursework for students who object. Would you be in 1. favor of or 2. opposed to this bill? 3. don't know/no opinion
Republicans and social conservatives were most likely to favor the bill, while Democrats and seculars were more likely to be opposed 8. Finally, the Bush Administration has given permission for the United Arab Emirates to take over a company currently owned by the British that manages operations at six major U.S. ports. Do you 1. agree or 2. disagree with the decision to allow this deal to take place? 3. don't know/no opinion
Republicans and social conservatives were most likely to favor the deal. Democrats and seculars were more likely to oppose the deal. Eight/KAET-TV is a member-supported service of Arizona State University.
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