Texas Statewide Survey / October 8 - 14, 2014 Page 1

TEXAS STATEWIDE SURVEY

BASELICE & ASSOCIATES, INC. STUDY #14123TPPF.Qr%
CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENT
N equals 801 respondents
Hello, I am _______________ of Baselice & Associates, a national survey research firm, and we're talking to
people long distance today about issues facing us all. We would like to include your responses to this survey,
which will be kept confidential, with the responses of several hundred other Texans such as yourself.
A. Are you a resident of _________ County and at least 18 years of age?
If No, ask: Is there someone else at home who is an adult resident of __________ County?
(If Yes, ask: May I speak with him/her? And return to introduction)
____________________________________________________________________________________________
B. Are you, or is anyone in your household, employed in the news media, a market research firm, an elected official,
or employed by a political campaign?
Yes (thank & terminate)
No (continue)
____________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Do you think things in Texas are going in the right direction or have they gotten off on the wrong track?
If choice made, ask: Do you feel strongly about that?
26% Right direction / Strongly
25% Right direction / Somewhat
50% TOTAL RIGHT DIRECTION
11% Wrong track / Somewhat
24% Wrong track / Strongly
35% TOTAL WRONG TRACK
15% Unsure / refused (vol)
____________________________________________________________________________________________
2. In the next six months, do you think economic conditions in Texas will... (rotate first two options)
29% Get better
12% Get worse
53% Stay about the same
1% Other (vol)
5% Unsure / refused (vol)
_________________________________________________________________________________________
3. In the next six months, do you think economic conditions for you and your family will... (rotate first two options)
25% Get better
11% Get worse
62% Stay about the same
* Other (vol)
2% Unsure / refused (vol)
_________________________________________________________________________________________
NOTE: ALL CLOSE-ENDED RESULTS ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST WHOLE PERCENTAGE
* DENOTES LESS THAN ONE PERCENT
Texas Statewide Survey / October 8 - 14, 2014 Page 2
4. Thinking about poverty for a moment, which do you believe that poverty results more from... (rotate first two
options)
32% A lack of opportunity
52% The choices of the individual
11% Both (vol)
2% Neither / other (vol)
3% Unsure / refused (vol)
_________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Which one of the following do you consider to be a greater cause of poverty? (rotate first two options)
53% Individual actions
28% Outside circumstances
15% Both (vol)
1% Neither / other (vol)
3% Unsure / refused (vol)
_________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Please tell me which one of the following should take the lead role in reducing poverty. (randomize choices)
If choice made, ask: And which should take the next leading role in reducing poverty?
Next
Lead Lead Total
15% 16% 31% Local communities
8% 13% 21% Faith groups such as churches
6% 10% 16% Businesses
36% 14% 50% Individuals for themselves
14% 11% 25% Federal government
13% 20% 33% State government
8% 7% 15% Unsure / refused (vol)
8% 8% No first response
____________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Regardless of whether you believe that the state government should take the lead in combating poverty, which of
the following is the best way to do it?
4% Direct aid to the poor through welfare programs
89% Focusing on growing the economy to provide job opportunities
2% Both (vol)
3% Neither / other (vol)
1% Unsure / refused (vol)
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Texas Statewide Survey / October 8 - 14, 2014 Page 3
8. Do you believe government (Ver X: efforts / Ver Y: programs) have increased or decreased the number of people
in poverty in Texas? If choice made, ask: Do you feel strongly about that?
Ver X Ver Y Total
39% 45% 42% Increased / Strongly
17% 15% 16% Increased / Somewhat
55% 60% 58% TOTAL INCREASED
14% 12% 13% Decreased / Somewhat
12% 7% 10% Decreased / Strongly
26% 19% 22% TOTAL DECREASED
8% 6% 7% No impact / made no difference (vol)
12% 15% 13% Unsure / refused (vol)
____________________________________________________________________________________________
IF VALUE 1 or 2 (Increased) IN PREVIOUS QUESTION, ASK:
X. And in your own words, please tell me why you believe government (Ver X: efforts / Ver Y: programs) have
increased the number of people in poverty (in Texas)? (Probe: Please tell me more about that)
Cases Percent
BECOME DEPENDENT ON GOVERNMENT
Discourages people from working / people aren't working / lazy. 98 12.2%
People become dependent on government / take advantage / feel entitled. 61 7.6%
The programs entraps people / once on welfare you stay there. 5 0.7%
Generational poverty. 3 0.4%
SUBTOTAL 167 20.9%
GOVERNMENT IS THE PROBLEM
They're going at it the wrong way / keep giving it to those that don't need it /
too many people. 55 6.9%
Government doesn't solve problems / government waste / Congress. 22 2.7%
Barrack Obama. 6 0.8%
Rick Perry. 3 0.4%
Government needs to focus more on the U.S. instead of other countries. 2 0.3%
Wendy will put more people in poverty. 2 0.2%
Government forcing people to get things / Obama Care. 1 0.1%
It's a way for politicians to buy votes for elections. 1 0.1%
SUBTOTAL 92 11.5%
ECONOMIC / FINANCIAL REASONS
Excessive regulation on business. 11 1.3%
Wages are too low / minimum wage. 7 0.9%
The money should go towards getting them jobs / need work programs. 6 0.8%
Cut backs on benefits. 5 0.6%
People having no insurance. 4 0.5%
No forward movement in population except for upper class. 4 0.5%
People aren't taught how to manage money. 4 0.4%
Taking money away from businesses that would provide jobs. 3 0.4%
Taxes too high. 3 0.4%
Giving too many tax breaks to corporations. 1 0.1%
Food prices have gone up. 1 0.1%
SUBTOTAL 49 6.1%
NOT ENOUGH HELP
Not enough jobs / unemployment. 32 4.0%
Education / educational funding cutbacks / lack of education. 15 1.9%
Not enough opportunities for people / help / assistance programs. 10 1.2%
Not giving enough job training to gain skills. 9 1.1%
They make it too hard to get help / restrictions / regulations. 7 0.9%
SUBTOTAL 72 9.0%
Texas Statewide Survey / October 8 - 14, 2014 Page 4
Cases Percent
OUTSIDE CIRCUMSTANCES
People coming across the borders / illegal immigrants. 11 1.4%
People are in poverty by their own actions. 7 0.9%
More people have been moving to Texas. 2 0.3%
Circumstances beyond people's control. 2 0.3%
Disabilities. 1 0.1%
SUBTOTAL 24 3.0%
OTHER
I watched it happen / only getting worse. 6 0.7%
People have more kids to get help. 4 0.6%
SUBTOTAL 10 1.2%
CONFUSED ANSWER
Confused answer / poverty decreased. 7 0.8%
SUBTOTAL 7 0.8%
UNSURE
Don't know / refused. 42 5.2%
SUBTOTAL 42 5.2%
NOT ASKED
Not asked. 338 42.2%
SUBTOTAL 338 42.2%
TOTAL 801 100.0%
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Texas Statewide Survey / October 8 - 14, 2014 Page 5
IF VALUE 3 or 4 (Decreased) IN PREVIOUS QUESTION, ASK:
Y. And in your own words, please tell me why you believe government (Ver X: efforts / Ver Y: programs) have
decreased the number of people in poverty (in Texas)? (Probe: Please tell me more about that)
Cases Percent
HELPING PEOPLE / OPPORTUNITIES
Provides more opportunities for the people / various government programs. 21 2.6%
Government helps people that can't help themselves / make it easy to get. 13 1.6%
They have people working / they help people find jobs / work programs. 13 1.6%
Education / more educational opportunities. 11 1.4%
They are giving them training. 1 0.1%
SUBTOTAL 59 7.4%
ECONOMY / FINANCIAL REASONS
Increase in opportunities for businesses to grow / more job creation. 29 3.6%
They improved the economy. 7 0.9%
The oil boom / oilfield jobs. 3 0.4%
People just do it for a paycheck and say they work for the state. 1 0.1%
Low taxes. 1 0.1%
SUBTOTAL 42 5.2%
SPECIFIC PROGRAMS
Welfare program / food stamps. 6 0.8%
Obama Care / healthcare. 2 0.3%
By providing day care. 1 0.1%
Disability help. 1 0.1%
Local government outreach programs. 1 0.1%
SUBTOTAL 11 1.4%
OTHER
They have a set of rules for certain races. 2 0.3%
No opinion / just because. 2 0.3%
Government became more strict on services. 2 0.3%
Barrack Obama. 1 0.2%
SUBTOTAL 8 1.0%
CONFUSED ANSWER
Confused answer / poverty increased. 17 2.2%
It's an individual's decision if they want to be in poverty / taking initiative. 12 1.5%
SUBTOTAL 29 3.7%
UNSURE
Don't know / refused. 29 3.6%
SUBTOTAL 29 3.6%
NOT ASKED
Not asked. 623 77.8%
SUBTOTAL 623 77.8%
TOTAL 801 100.0%
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Texas Statewide Survey / October 8 - 14, 2014 Page 6
IF VALUE 5 (No impact) IN PREVIOUS QUESTION, ASK:
Z. And in your own words, please tell me why you believe government (Ver X: efforts / Ver Y: programs) have had no
impact on the number of people in poverty (in Texas)? (Probe: Please tell me more about that)
Cases Percent
Always the same number of people on welfare regardless of
government / doesn't change. 6 2.8%
It depends on an individual's effort / personal responsibility. 6 0.7%
People learning to use the system / abusing the programs / dependent on it. 5 0.7%
Federal government letting people through the borders / illegal aliens. 3 0.6%
Politicians don't care about poor people / programs. 3 0.4%
People are not aware of the programs. 2 0.3%
Doesn't focus on the right things. 2 0.3%
People can't survive off minimum wage. 1 0.2%
Government doesn't put enough finances into programs. 1 0.2%
The evidence proves it's self. 1 0.1%
They don't do enough background checks. 1 0.1%
Politicians in government are the problem. 1 0.1%
Bad economy. 1 0.1%
Don't know / refused. 22 0.1%
Not asked. 746 93.2%
TOTAL 801 100.0%
____________________________________________________________________________________________
9. Please tell me if you think each of the following would help reduce poverty: (rotate questions)
YES NO DK
35% 58% 8% A. Expanded government intervention and spending
91% 6% 2% B. A growing economy
87% 10% 3% C. Better educational opportunities through school choice for all children
____________________________________________________________________________________________
10. Do you believe that success is achieved through hard work or because of other advantages an individual might
have? (Record only)
71% Through hard work
9% Other advantages
17% Both
1% Other
1% Unsure / refused
_________________________________________________________________________________________
11. Do you think those affected by poverty can do more to help themselves or are they doing everything they can?
(Record only)
67% More
15% Doing everything they can
9% Other
9% Unsure / refused
_________________________________________________________________________________________
12. In Texas, do you believe there is enough spending, not enough spending, or just the right amount of spending on
poverty programs such as Head Start, Medicaid, and food stamps? (Record only)
32% Spending enough
32% Not enough
22% J ust the right amount
14% Unsure / refused (vol)
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Texas Statewide Survey / October 8 - 14, 2014 Page 7
13. Which level of government, if any, is best equipped to address poverty in Texas? (Record only)
25% City, county, and local government
30% State government
9% Federal government
14% Government is not the best means of addressing poverty.
22% Unsure / refused (vol)
_________________________________________________________________________________________
14. Please indicate if you think each of the following is a reason that minorities in Texas have some of the lowest poverty
rates among the ten most populous states. Is one reason... (randomize questions)
YES NO DK
59% 30% 10% A. The Texas economy
29% 50% 21% B. Government benefit programs are more generous in Texas
61% 24% 14% C. Traditional values, such as marriage and church attendance, are stronger in Texas
39% 42% 20% D. Government benefit programs are less generous in Texas
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Texas Statewide Survey / October 8 - 14, 2014 Page 8
Now just a few questions to make sure we have a representative sample --
D1. In what year were you born? (9999 equals REFUSED)

29% 18-44
20% 45-54
23% 55-64
27% 65 or older
1% Refused
____________________________________________________________________________________________
D2. What is the highest level of education you have completed? (Do not read, record only)
6% Less than high school
20% High school grad / vocational school
26% Some college
29% College graduate
17% Post graduate (masters or higher)
0% Unsure
2% Refused
____________________________________________________________________________________________
D4. Do you own or rent your place of residence? (Do not read, record only)
79% Own
17% Rent
4% Unsure / refused
____________________________________________________________________________________________
D5. Do you consider yourself to be of Hispanic or Latino descent, such as Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or some other
Central or Latin American background?
27% Yes
70% No
1% Unsure (vol)
2% Refused (vol)
____________________________________________________________________________________________
D6. And is your race Anglo, African-American, Asian, or some other race?
55% Anglo / White
13% African-American / Black
1% Asian
19% Hispanic / Latino (vol)
1% American Indian (vol)
7% Other (vol)
1% Unsure (vol)
3% Refused (vol)
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Texas Statewide Survey / October 8 - 14, 2014 Page 9
D7. Do you consider yourself to be (Read list by rotating top-to-bottom / bottom-to-top)
26% Very conservative
31% Somewhat conservative
21% Moderate
12% Somewhat liberal
5% Very liberal
5% Unsure / refused (vol)
____________________________________________________________________________________________
D8. We want to classify people into broad income groups only. Would you estimate your total household income last
year before taxes to be above or below seventy-five thousand dollars?
50% Below $75,000
41% Above $75,000
2% Unsure (vol)
7% Refused (vol)
____________________________________________________________________________________________
D8a. IF VALUE 1 in D8, ASK: And was your total household income above or below thirty-five thousand dollars?
20% Below $35,000
28% Above $35,000
1% Unsure (vol)
1% Refused (vol)
50% Not asked
____________________________________________________________________________________________
D8b. IF VALUE 2 in D8, ASK: And was your total household income above or below one hundred and twenty-five
thousand dollars?
22% Below $125,000
17% Above $125,000
1% Unsure (vol)
2% Refused (vol)
59% Not asked
____________________________________________________________________________________________
The combination of D8, D8a and D8b is displayed below:
20% Below $35,000
28% $35,000-$74,999
22% $75,000-$124,999
17% $125,000 and above
13% Income unknown
____________________________________________________________________________________________
D10. Gender (By observation) Ask of everyone: Are you employed outside the house, self-employed, not employed,
a homemaker, or retired?
30% Male / employed
19% Male / not-employed
* Male / unsure - refused to say
26% Female / employed
24% Female / not-employed
1% Female / unsure - refused to say
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Texas Statewide Survey / October 8 - 14, 2014 Page 10
D11. Are you registered to vote?
89% Yes
10% No
* Unsure / refused (vol)
____________________________________________________________________________________________
IF VALUE 1 in D11 , THEN ASK:
D12. Which partys candidates have you tended to vote for most often...(Rotate first two choices) [Note: Record
libertarian, reform party or other parties as value 3]
36% Republican
27% Democrat
20% Or do you vote independent of party
6% Unsure / Refused (vol)
11% Not registered
____________________________________________________________________________________________
IF VALUE 3 IN QUESTION D12, ASK:
D12.C Although you vote for the person and not one of the major parties -- when you have had to choose between two
candidates of whom you knew little about, have you tended to vote for... (Rotate choices)
8% The Republican candidate
7% The Democrat candidate
5% Other / wont vote for either (vol)
2% Unsure / Refused (vol)
78% Not asked
____________________________________________________________________________________________
The combination of the D12 and D12C questions is displayed below:
36% Solid Republican
7% A few more Republicans than Democrats
43% TOTAL REPUBLICAN
6% Independent / Undecided
6% A few more Democrats than Republicans
27% Solid Democrat
34% TOTAL DEMOCRAT
6% Unsure / Refused
11% Not registered
____________________________________________________________________________________________
D13. (Randomize questions)
YES NO DK
80% 19% 2% A. Do you have Internet access on a computer at home
71% 26% 2% B. Do you have Internet access on a cell phone or handheld device
54% 44% 2% C. Do you have a Facebook account
16% 82% 2% D. Do you have a Twitter account
____________________________________________________________________________________________