Adults in 525 Idaho households representing three geographic regions were surveyed between November 18th, 2010 and January 8th, 2011. This is a random sample survey (RDD) to landline telephones and cell phones. Telephone calls, interviews, data collection and data preparation were contracted to Clearwater Research. Analysis and reporting are conducted by Boise State University.

The survey standard error is +/-5% at a 95% confidence-level for the total population.

To accurately project the results of this survey across the state, the survey data is weighted according to the proportion of the total state population within each of the six geographic regions shown in Figure 1. For more information regarding the methods used in the survey, see the technical report in the Appendix. Prior to year 2002, frequency data was used without weighting and regions were assigned a ‘quota’ to ensure adequate statewide representation. While the differences generally remain well within the acceptable margin of error, population-weighted data more accurately portrays the statewide population. The difference in methodology is more apparent in the regional data where larger variation from the overall frequency data will be obvious.

The survey was administered to 518 Idaho adults (+18 years old) by telephone between November 14 through December 16, 2007. The overall statewide population is represented by the survey sample at a standard error estimated to be +/- 6.8% at the 95% confidence level.

Since its inception in 1990, the survey has included a set of “core questions” which have been asked on a rotating basis. These core questions relate to the problems facing Idaho, perceptions of and confidence in government, opinions on taxes, and satisfaction with program and service areas. Additional questions are asked that attempt to identify or clarify contemporary issues that are of interest and concern to Idaho citizens.

Additionally, a stratified sample also allows for general comparisons across six geographic regions. (Statistically speaking, the survey results are representative of the population of each region.) Figure 1 on page 2 maps the regions in the state, and Table 1 identifies the standard error of the sample for each region as well as the weighted population basis used for the analysis.

To accurately project the results of this survey across the state, the survey data is weighted according to the proportion of the total state population within each of the six geographic regions shown in Figure 1. For more information regarding the methods used in the survey, see the technical report in the Appendix. Prior to year 2002, frequency data was used without weighting and regions were assigned a ‘quota’ to ensure adequate statewide representation. While the differences generally remain well within the acceptable margin of error, population-weighted data more accurately portrays the statewide population. The difference in methodology is more apparent in the regional data where larger variation from the overall frequency data will be obvious.

The survey was administered to 513 Idaho adults (+18 years old) by telephone between December 8, 2006, though January 5, 2007. The overall statewide population is represented by the survey sample at a standard error estimated to be +/- 4% at the 95% confidence level.

Since its inception in 1990, the survey has included a set of “core questions” which have been asked each year. These core questions relate to the problems facing Idaho, perceptions of and confidence in government, opinions on taxes, and satisfaction with program and service areas. Additional questions are asked that attempt to identify or clarify contemporary issues that are of interest and concern to Idaho citizens.

Additionally, a stratified sample also allows for general comparisons across six geographic regions. (Statistically speaking, the survey results are representative of the population of each region.) Figure 1 on page 2 maps the regions in the state, and Table 1 identifies the standard error of the sample for each region as well as the weighted population basis used for the analysis.

To accurately project the results of this survey across the state, the survey data is weighted according to the proportion of the total state population within each of the six geographic regions shown in Figure 1. For more information regarding the methods used in the survey, see the technical report in Appendix C. Prior to year 2002, frequency data was used without weighting and regions were assigned a ‘quota’ to ensure adequate statewide representation. While the differences generally remain well within the acceptable margin of error, population-weighted data more accurately portrays the statewide population. The difference in methodology is more apparent in the regional data where larger variation from the overall frequency data will be obvious.

The survey was administered to 534 Idaho adults (+18 years old) by telephone between November 3rd, 2005 trhough December 4th, 2005. The overall statewide population is represented by the survey sample at a standard error estimated to be +/- 4% at the 95% confidence level.

Since its inception in 1990, the survey has included a set of “core questions” which have been asked each year. These core questions relate to the problems facing Idaho, perceptions of and confidence in government, opinions on taxes, and satisfaction with program and service areas. Additional questions are asked that attempt to identify or clarify contemporary issues that are of interest and concern to Idaho citizens.

Additionally, a stratified sample also allows for general comparisons across six geographic regions. (Statistically speaking, the survey results are representative of the population of each region.) Figure 1 on page 2 maps the regions in the state, and Table 1 identifies the standard error of the sample for each region as well as the weighted population basis used for the analysis.

To accurately reflect the population of the state, the survey data is weighted to assign proper proportional populations to each of the six survey regions. Prior to year 2002, frequency data was used without weighting and regions were assigned a ‘quota’ to ensure adequate statewide representation. While the differences generally remain well within the acceptable error range, population weighted data more accurately portrays the statewide population. The difference in methodology is more apparent in the regional data where larger variation from the overall frequency data will be obvious.

The survey was administered to 531 Idaho adults (+18 years old) by telephone in November 9, 2004 and completed November 29, 2004. The overall statewide population is represented by the survey sample at a standard error estimated to be +/- 4.1% at the 95% confidence level. Since its inception in 1990, the survey has included a set of “core questions” which have been asked each year. These core questions relate to the problems facing Idaho, perceptions of and confidence in government, opinions on taxes, and satisfaction with program and service areas. Additional questions are asked that attempt to identify or clarify issues that are of interest and concern to Idaho citizens.

Additionally, a stratified sample also allows for general comparisons across six geographic regions. (Statistically speaking, the survey results are representative of the population of each region.) Figure I on Page 5 maps the regions in the state, and Table I identifies the standard error of the sample for each region as well as the weighted population basis used for the analysis.

This document reports the policy issues as identified by survey respondents, and makes no attempt to attach meaning to the findings. When available and appropriate, multi-year trend data and regional comparison of responses are presented.

There were 719 responses to the survey, which were obtained from an adjusted field sample of approximately 1,435 prospective respondents. The adjusted response rate for the 13th Annual Idaho Public Policy Survey is 50%. However, a better indicator of the representative nature of responses is found in the standard error (SE) of measurement calculation. For this survey, the estimated SE is: ± 3.7% at a 95% confidence-level.

In addition to statewide representation, valid responses were obtained from Idahoans in proportions that allow comparisons across six geographic regions of the State. The counties in the six regions are listed in Figure 1, which also depicts a county-level regional base map for the State of Idaho. Given the sampling procedures that were utilized in this study, it is possible to report the estimated SE for each region as well. The number of responses and the estimated SE for each region are also reported in Figure 1.

Since its inception in 1990, a set of questions referred to as "core questions" have been asked each year. Responses to these core questions on the: quality of life in Idaho; problems facing Idaho; perceptions, trust and confidence in government and taxing entities; and perceptions on funding-levels for programs and services-are important indicators of changes in attitudes and opinions of the citizens of Idaho.

This year the State Department of Parks and Recreation, the State Division of Vocational Education, and BSU's Department of Public Policy and Administration sponsored questions that were of interest to each respective organization. Also this year, two additional questions asked Idaho citizens their source of information and influence on their opinions on public policy concerns.

1995, however, marked a major change in the direction of the Idaho Public Policy Survey. In order to further develop its public affairs mission, the university sought to develop a collaborative relationship with the community. To expand public participation in developing the survey questions, the Survey Research Center invited the public to form the Idaho Public Policy Survey Group (IPPSG). The IPPSG is a consortium of all interested state and local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector.

Volume 4 of the Idaho Policy Survey contains four sections. As in the three previous survey reports, the first section examines citizens' opinions on the quality of life in Idaho, and what problems facing the state are seen as the most important. The next section focuses on attitudes toward the federal, state, and local levels of government, as well as on the perceived fairness of different types of taxes and the degree of support for state spending increases in eleven broad service areas. The third section moves on to consider a variety of health and welfare issues. Finally, the last section explores how residents of the Gem State feel about potential environmental problems in Idaho. The report concludes with a methodological appendix that summarizes the procedure used to draw the sample and conduct the interviews.

Polling has become commonplace in contemporary American life. When designed and administered properly, po.lls are an effective way to gauge beliefs, attitudes, and opinions on a range of prominent issues. Although the Idaho Policy Survey provides an overview of citizen concerns and preferences, it does not make policy recommendations. We recognize that surveys are only one way of gathering information about public opinion, and that public opinion is just one consideration that goes into policymaking.

This volume of the Idaho Policy Survey builds upon its predecessor by asking many of the same questions that were posed to last year's respondents. Our intent is to build a longitudinal data-base so that trends in public opinion can be traced over time. In addition to the questions that we repeat from year to year, each volume of the Idaho Policy Survey a particular year. Thus the reader is given information that allows over-time comparisons of enduring issues, as well as focused case studies of hot topics.

Volume 2 of the Idaho Policy Survey contains six sections. The first section examines citizens' opinions on the quality of life in Idaho and what problems now facing the state are seen as the most important.

The next section looks at the preferences of Idahoans toward the projected state budget surplus, and explores the degree of their support for state spending increases in thirteen broad service areas.

The third section focuses on attitudes toward the national, state, and local levels of government. It also depicts the perceived fairness of different types of taxes and the extent to which Idahoans back term limitations on state elected officials.

The fourth section moves on to consider such social issues as child abuse, homeless people, illiteracy , drug abuse, AIDS, tolerance of minority groups, and abortion.

The fifth section portrays the views of Idahoans toward crime and punishment. Confidence in the state's criminal just system, the amount of support for capital punishment, and the public's faith in rehabilitation programs for violent criminals are all assessed.

Finally, the last section examines the environmental concerns of Idahoans. It analyzes how residents of the Gem State weigh the trade-offs between environmental protection and economic growth, as well as how they feel about proposals to divert water from the Snake River Basin to California.

The report concludes with a methodological appendix that summarizes the procedures used to draw the sample and conduct the interviews.