By Elena Temple
February 11, 2008

The U.S. Conference of Mayors recently commissioned a Zogby poll to determine American priorities as the nation moves into the 2008 Presidential election season. The results, presented by Zogby International President and CEO John Zogby at the 76th Winter Meeting of the Conference of Mayors, support the tenets of the Mayors’ 10-Point Plan, Strong Cities, Strong Families, for a Strong America.

“The findings of this poll are in line with the very issues that mayors have been working to address in the 10-Point Plan,” said Conference President Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer. “Mayors are clearly in touch with the American public and we expect the Presidential candidates to address the issues that American families care about most.”

The Zogby poll was the first of a series of surveys designed to explore how America’s metro areas are the engines that drive the nation’s economy. The interactive survey of 32,085 adults nationwide was conducted from November 27 through December 12, 2007, and carried a margin of error of -/- 0.6 percentage points. Significantly, the results of the survey show strong support for community initiatives that focus on the environment and suggest that Americans are internalizing environmental standards.

The poll found that most Americans believe local efforts to be environmentally sensitive by “going green” will pay off for their communities by attracting new businesses and development, creating “green collar jobs” and boosting the local economy.

Also, more than half — 56 percent — believe their local government should “go green” and make environmentally friendly and energy efficient changes throughout their local community, even if they may have to significantly change their lifestyle. Majorities also believe that if their local communities adopt more environmentally friendly policies, there will be a positive impact on the local economy. They think green technology will create new local jobs make their communities better places to live. Nearly half (48 percent) of the people surveyed say they would be willing to pay higher taxes if the increase would fund environmentally friendly improvements in their community.

The poll also revealed that many Americans are already taking conservation efforts into their own hands — 68 percent say that in their personal lives they have already adopted water conservation measures. Further, more than half of Americans — 53 percent — say they would be willing to use mass transit if it were easily accessible from their homes and where they work, and the pressure of rising gas prices may make it an even more attractive alternative. Two in three (65 percent) said the raising price of gasoline makes them more likely to consider using mass transit and 44 percent would be willing to pay higher taxes if they knew all the added taxes were being spent on improving or creating public transportation where they live.

Although most Americans expressed dissatisfaction with the overall rate of return they receive for their tax dollars, the surveyed showed they view the use of their local taxes more favorably than the taxes they pay on the state and federal levels. Nearly four in ten (39 percent) believe they receive the best service in relation to the amount of taxes they pay at the local level, compared with 16 percent who believe they receive the most benefit from state taxes and 13 percent who believe their federal tax dollars give them the greatest return.

Americans are more concerned with crime in their local communities than they are with terrorism — nearly half say they fear local crime more (48 percent), compared to 31 percent who worry more about terrorism.

Most respondents (57 percent) would be more likely to support their member of Congress if he or she voted to close loopholes in current gun laws and ensure that every individual passes a background check before they could purchase a gun. Slightly more than half (52 percent) would be more likely to support their Congressional representative if he or she voted to ban the sale of all semi-automatic or military grade weapons.

Support for additional taxation to fund arts programs, cultural events, parks, and recreational facilities was not as strong as the support for items such as improving local schools, hospitals, and fighting crime.

Half of Americans (49 percent) believe illegal immigrants have had a negative impact on their local economy — just 19 percent believe illegal immigrants have had a positive impact. Most (53 percent) believe stricter immigration laws and enforcement would have a positive impact on their local economy and 57 percent believe immigrants who are not living in this country legally should receive no services from the government.

Survey respondents were split on the issue of funding for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program to three times the current poverty level, with slightly more who support (48 percent) than oppose (44 percent) the additional funding. However, more than half (53 percent) said they would pay higher taxes to help the poor living in their city or community.

On the issue of affordable housing, 33 percent do not believe it is a government responsibility, while 24 percent said the state should be most responsible for guaranteeing an adequate supply of affordable housing, 18 percent favored local governments taking on the issue and 14 percent believing the federal government should be most responsible.

“This poll marks the beginning of a long relationship between the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Zogby,” said Conference Executive Director and CEO Tom Cochran. “The poll confirms that mayors are on target with the concerns of the American people, and we plan to release more polls to address key issues facing our citizens and our country.”