For immediate release February 7, 2013

Franklin & Marshall College Poll

SURVEY OF PENNSYLVANIANS SUMMARY OF FINDINGS Prepared by: Center for Opinion Research Floyd Institute for Public Policy Franklin & Marshall College
BERWOOD A. YOST DIRECTOR, FLOYD INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR OPINION RESEARCH HEAD METHODOLOGIST, FRANKLIN & MARSHALL COLLEGE POLL G. TERRY MADONNA DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR POLITICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR, FRANKLIN & MARSHALL COLLEGE POLL ANGELA N. KNITTLE SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER, CENTER FOR OPINION RESEARCH PROJECT MANAGER, FRANKLIN & MARSHALL COLLEGE POLL KAY K. HUEBNER PROGRAMMER, CENTER FOR OPINION RESEARCH

February 7, 2013

Table of Contents
KEY FINDINGS ..............................................................................................3 JOB PERFORMANCE .......................................................................................3 STATE ISSUE: LOTTERY PRIVATIZATION ...........................................................4 STATE ISSUE: LIQUOR STORE PRIVATIZATION ..................................................5 STATE ISSUE: ROADS ....................................................................................5 STATE ISSUE: GUN CONTROL .........................................................................5 METHODOLOGY ...........................................................................................7 ATTACHMENT A ...........................................................................................8 ATTACHMENT B ...........................................................................................9 MARGINAL FREQUENCY REPORT ...........................................................10

The Franklin & Marshall College Poll is produced in conjunction with the Philadelphia Daily News, WGAL-TV (South Central PA), Pittsburgh Tribune Review, WTAE-TV (Pittsburgh), WPVI-TV6/ABC (Philadelphia), Times-Shamrock Newspapers, Harrisburg Patriot-News, and Lancaster Newspapers. It may be used in whole or in part, provided any use is attributed to Franklin & Marshall College.

Key Findings
The February 2013 Franklin and Marshall College Poll of Pennsylvania registered voters finds strong opposition to the governors plan to privatize the management of the Pennsylvania lottery, but moderate support for privatizing the state-owned liquor stores. Pennsylvanias registered voters also express strong support for increasing funding for the states roads, bridges and transit systems, and for increased regulation of firearms. The Poll also finds that Governor Tom Corbetts job performance ratings are the lowest of his tenure.

Job Performance
More than two in five (42%) registered voters believe that President Barack Obama is doing an excellent or good job. His job performance rating is a bit lower than it was in October (46%) when he was seeking re-election. Two in three (66%) Democrats, one in three (33%) independents, and only one in seven (15%) Republicans rate the Presidents job performance as excellent or good. Governor Corbetts job approval ratings are the lowest of his tenure with only one in four (26%) registered voters believing he is doing an excellent or good job. Only two in five (41%) Republicans, one in four (26%) independents, and one in six (16%) Democrats rate his performance as excellent or good. Figure 1 displays the Governors job performance ratings compared to Governors Tom Ridge and Ed Rendell. Governor Corbetts job performance ratings are the lowest for a sitting governor in the history of the Franklin and Marshall College Poll.

Figure 1:

Comparison of Pennsylvania Governors Job Performance Ratings

How would you rate the way that [fill Governor] is handling his job as Governor? Would you say he is doing an excellent job, a good job, only a fair job, or a poor job as Governor?

State Issue: Lottery Privatization

Very few (18%) registered voters favor the Governors plan to privatize the management of the Pennsylvania lottery. The proposal has weak support among Republicans (27%), independents (21%) and Democrats (11%) alike. There is broad agreement (84%) that the privatization of government functions should require legislative approval. One unintended consequence of the privatization of the lotterys management could be an initial reduction in the number of citizens who purchase lottery tickets. The survey found that one in seven (15%) registered voters frequently play the Pennsylvania lottery; half (52%) of these respondents say they will play the lottery less frequently if lottery management is privatized.

State Issue: Liquor Store Privatization

A majority (53%) of the states registered voters supports selling the state-owned liquor stores to private companies. Republicans (61%) are more likely to favor privatizing the liquor stores than are Democrats (48%) or independents (51%). Past Franklin and Marshall College Polls conducted in 2010 (50%) and 2002 (55%) also showed majority support for the sale of the state-owned liquor stores.

State Issue: Roads

More than four in five (82%) registered voters in Pennsylvania believe the state should spend more on repairing and improving the states roads, bridges, and transit systems; however, there is less support for the Governors expected transportation funding plan. Only two in three (43%) registered voters favor a plan to increase vehicle and drivers fees and eliminate the cap on the oil franchise tax while almost half (47%) oppose it. Surprisingly, there are no differences in support for this plan by political party affiliation.

State Issue: Gun Control

Pennsylvanias registered voters are supportive of many gun control proposals currently being discussed nationally, but there is not much evidence that attitudes toward gun control in general have changed significantly over time. Majorities favor requiring background checks for all gun sales (94%), banning high-capacity magazines (61%), banning assault weapons (61%), and limiting handgun purchases to one per month (61%). The proportion of the states registered voters who favor more gun control regulation has remained fairly consistent for a decade in Pennsylvania (see Figure 2).

Figure 2:

Favorability of Additional Gun Control Regulation

Generally speaking, do you favor or oppose creating more laws that regulate gun ownership?

Methodology
The survey findings presented in this release are based on the results of interviews conducted January 29 February 3, 2013. The interviews were conducted at the Center for Opinion Research at Franklin & Marshall College under the direction of the polls Director Dr. G. Terry Madonna, Head Methodologist Berwood Yost, and Senior Project Manager Angela Knittle. The data included in this release represent the responses of 622 Pennsylvania registered voters, including 313 Democrats, 232 Republicans, and 77 registered as Independent/Other. The sample of registered voters was obtained from Voter Contact Services. Survey results were weighted (region, gender, and party) using an iterative weighting algorithm to reflect the known distribution of those characteristics as reported by the Pennsylvania Department of State. The sample error for this survey is +/- 3.9 percentage points. In addition to sampling error, this poll is also subject to other sources of non-sampling error. Generally speaking, two sources of error concern researchers most. Non-response bias is created when selected participants either choose not to participate in the survey or are unavailable for interviewing. Response errors are the product of the question and answer process. Surveys that rely on selfreported behaviors and attitudes are susceptible to biases related to the way respondents process and respond to survey questions.

Attachment A
Favorability: Governor Corbett, Pennsylvania February 2013
Please let me know your opinion of some people involved in politics today. Is your opinion of Tom Corbett favorable, unfavorable, undecided, or havent you heard enough about Tom Corbett to have an opinion? Favorable Political Party* Republican Democrat Independent/Other Ideology* Liberal Moderate Conservative Gender Male Female Age* 18-34 35-54 55 and over Education High school or less 25% 24% Some college 26% College degree Household Income* Less than $35,000 26% 27% $35-75,000 25% Over $75,000 Race** White 25% Non-White 22% Marital Status Single, Never Married 19% Married 27% Not currently married 23% Religious Affiliation Protestant 32% Catholic 25% Other, unaffiliated 18% Born Again Christian or Fundamentalist* Yes 37% 21% No Gun Owner Yes 26% No 25% Region Northeast 23% 19% Philadelphia 25% Southeast 29% Northwest 32% Central 11% Allegheny 26% Southwest Employment Fulltime 26% Other 25% 23% Retired 42% 39% 48% 31% 49% 50% 44% 44% 43% 44% 41% 34% 44% 53% 27% 50% 40% 46% 48% 51% 42% 43% 37% 55% 41% 46% 43% 42% 18% 25% 17% 22% 16% 15% 20% 11% 18% 18% 26% 21% 20% 16% 25% 16% 22% 18% 20% 16% 20% 16% 21% 18% 19% 18% 15% 24% 16% 13% 9% 20% 9% 11% 11% 23% 20% 11% 11% 12% 11% 13% 11% 12% 12% 12% 9% 15% 13% 12% 10% 15% 14% 10% 16% 11% 15% 25% 27% 39% 50% 41% 19% 15% 22% 27% 10% 10% 29% 22% 43% 44% 18% 20% 10% 14% 8% 21% 45% 68% 44% 24% 13% 23% 21% 11% 12% 10% 42% 14% 23% 24% 60% 35% 24% 14% 27% 10% 13% 15% Unfavorable Undecided Do not know

* p<0.01

** p<0.05

Attachment B
Favorability: President Obama, Pennsylvania February 2013
Please let me know your opinion of some people involved in politics today. Is your opinion of Barack Obama favorable, unfavorable, undecided, or havent you heard enough about Barack Obama to have an opinion? Favorable Political Party* Republican Democrat Independent/Other Ideology* Liberal Moderate Conservative Gender* Male Female Age* 18-34 35-54 55 and over Education High school or less 50% 44% Some college 52% College degree Household Income Less than $35,000 55% 46% $35-75,000 50% Over $75,000 Race* White 46% Non-white 81% Marital Status* Single, Never Married 63% Married 44% Not currently married 58% Religious Affiliation* Protestant 38% Catholic 45% Other, unaffiliated 65% Born Again Christian or Fundamentalist* Yes 37% 53% No Gun Owner Yes 35% No 58% Region* Northeast 44% 81% Philadelphia 52% Southeast 43% Northwest 39% Central 61% Allegheny 39% Southwest Employment Fulltime 42% Other 53% 55% Retired 46% 44% 42% 37% 47% 43% 47% 7% 33% 48% 35% 54% 47% 29% 55% 40% 59% 35% 46% 12% 42% 55% 51% 35% 54% 48% 41% 40% 4% 9% 5% 5% 7% 6% 6% 6% 1% 7% 5% 6% 6% 6% 6% 6% 5% 6% 10% 4% 5% 2% 9% 1% 5% 9% 3% 3% 1% 3% 1% 4% 0% 1% 1% 5% 3% 1% 2% 1% 2% 1% 1% 2% 1% 1% 0% 3% 1% 0% 1% 3% 3% 0% 2% 2% 49% 48% 49% 38% 42% 45% 9% 8% 4% 4% 1% 1% 43% 55% 50% 38% 5% 6% 2% 1% 87% 53% 15% 9% 37% 81% 2% 9% 4% 1% 2% 1% 14% 77% 40% 78% 18% 46% 7% 4% 12% 2% 1% 2% Unfavorable Undecided Do not know

* p<0.01

** p<0.05

Marginal Frequency Report

Responses may not total 100% due to rounding.

REG. Some people are registered to vote, and many others are not. Are you CURRENTLY REGISTERED to vote at your present address? 100% 0% Yes No

RegPARTY. Are you currently registered as a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or as something else? 37% 50% 10% 2% Republican Democrat Independent Something else

IntFav. Please let me know your opinion of some people involved in politics today. Is your opinion of [FILL name] favorable, unfavorable, undecided, or havent you heard enough about [FILL name] to have an opinion? (rotated) Strongly favorable BARACK OBAMA Feb 2013 Oct 2012 Sep 2012 Aug 2012 June 2012 Feb 2012 Jan 2012 Mar 2011 May 2010 Mar 2010 Feb 2010 Jan 2010 Oct 2009 Aug 2009 Jun 2009 Feb 2009 Oct 2008 Sep 2008 Aug 2008 TOM CORBETT Feb 2013 Sep 2012 Aug 2012 June 2012 Jan 2012 Mar 2011 Oct 2010 Sep 2010 Aug 2010 May 2010 Mar 2010 31% 36% 35% 25% 26% 23% 25% 17% 26% 25% 27% 23% 29% 29% 39% 38% 38% 31% 25% 7% 13% 7% 7% 6% 14% 17% 12% 8% 7% 8% Somewhat favorable 18% 14% 15% 21% 21% 22% 20% 24% 18% 17% 22% 21% 16% 26% 17% 18% 15% 18% 18% 18% 17% 25% 25% 23% 19% 18% 15% 19% 17% 14% Somewhat unfavorable 9% 7% 6% 8% 11% 12% 12% 11% 12% 13% 10% 11% 12% 9% 6% 8% 8% 9% 7% 18% 13% 15% 14% 15% 8% 8% 5% 7% 5% 4% Strongly unfavorable 35% 38% 36% 37% 33% 35% 32% 33% 34% 33% 29% 33% 27% 28% 21% 15% 25% 21% 22% 25% 29% 27% 25% 17% 15% 9% 5% 8% 5% 3% Undecided 6% 6% 7% 7% 9% 8% 9% 14% 10% 11% 11% 10% 13% 7% 14% 17% 12% 17% 23% 19% 14% 14% 15% 18% 24% 17% 17% 19% 17% 17% Dont know 1% 0% 1% 1% 1% 0% 1% 2% 0% 1% 1% 2% 3% 1% 3% 4% 3% 3% 5% 12% 14% 13% 14% 20% 21% 31% 45% 40% 49% 54%

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Strongly favorable BOB CASEY Feb 2013 Oct 2012 Sep 2012 Aug 2012 June 2012 Jan 2012 Mar 2011 May 2010 Mar 2010 Feb 2010 Jan 2010 Oct 2009 Aug 2009 Jun 2009 Feb 2009 PAT TOOMEY Feb 2013 Mar 2011 Oct 2010 Sep 2010 Aug 2010 May 2010 Mar 2010 Feb 2010 Jan 2010 Oct 2009 Aug 2009 13% 16% 14% 11% 14% 9% 6% 10% 9% 13% 9% 11% 17% 11% 11% 11% 6% 15% 12% 11% 6% 8% 6% 6% 5% 7%

Somewhat favorable 27% 20% 23% 25% 24% 20% 19% 23% 24% 20% 23% 21% 24% 21% 19% 15% 17% 15% 13% 14% 10% 10% 10% 9% 11% 11%

Somewhat unfavorable 11% 12% 13% 12% 10% 9% 11% 9% 10% 9% 11% 9% 10% 12% 9% 8% 7% 10% 7% 8% 4% 5% 2% 4% 5% 4%

Strongly unfavorable 13% 19% 16% 10% 8% 8% 8% 11% 11% 9% 9% 12% 8% 5% 8% 12% 6% 16% 9% 12% 5% 5% 5% 3% 5% 6%

Undecided 16% 14% 13% 16% 14% 18% 19% 16% 17% 15% 17% 15% 17% 17% 21% 16% 22% 16% 17% 19% 15% 13% 15% 13% 10% 9%

Dont know 21% 19% 22% 27% 29% 35% 37% 31% 29% 34% 31% 32% 24% 34% 32% 37% 42% 28% 43% 36% 60% 59% 62% 65% 64% 63%

Rate_Gov. How would you rate the way that Tom Corbett is handling his job as Governor? Would you say he is doing an Excellent Job 2% 4% 3% 5% 6% 5% Good Job 24% 26% 25% 33% 26% 26% Only a Fair Job 41% 36% 40% 43% 46% 39% Poor Job 26% 28% 26% 11% 14% 13% Dont Know 6% 6% 6% 8% 9% 18%

Feb 2013 Sep 2012 Aug 2012 Oct 2011 Aug 2011 Mar 2011

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RatePres. How would you rate the way that Barack Obama is handling his job as president? Would you say he is doing an excellent job, a good job, only a fair job, or a poor job as President? Excellent job Feb 2013 Oct 2012 Sep 2012 Aug 2012 June 2012 Feb 2012 Jan 2012 Oct 2011 Aug 2011 Mar 2011 Oct 2010 Sep 2010 Aug 2010 May 2010 Mar 2010 Feb 2010 Jan 2010 Oct 2009 Aug 2009 Jun 2009 Mar 2009 Feb 2009 14% 17% 18% 12% 13% 11% 9% 9% 9% 7% 8% 10% 9% 14% 12% 12% 11% 17% 14% 20% 23% 25% Good job 28% 29% 29% 31% 29% 26% 31% 28% 25% 28% 24% 26% 28% 24% 28% 29% 27% 23% 33% 35% 37% 30% Only a fair job 23% 20% 19% 23% 30% 29% 29% 31% 33% 30% 31% 33% 28% 32% 27% 32% 32% 31% 29% 25% 22% 23% Poor job 34% 33% 33% 33% 28% 35% 30% 32% 33% 34% 36% 30% 35% 29% 32% 27% 29% 28% 24% 19% 14% 13% Dont know 1% 1% 0% 1% 1% 0% 0% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% 1% 1% 1% 0% 1% 1% 0% 1% 4% 9%

IntISS Now I'd like to ask you about some issues currently being discussed in the state Lottery1. Governor Corbett has announced plans to turn over management of the Pennsylvania Lottery to a private company. Do you favor or oppose the state of Pennsylvania turning over the management of the state lottery to a private company? 7% 11% 17% 47% 18% Strongly favor Somewhat favor Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Do not know

Lottery2. The plan to privatize the lotterys operation was developed and implemented by the Governors office without any action by the state house or senate. What role do you think the state legislature should have in privatizing government functions? Should proposals to privatize state government functions be required to pass the state legislature or should the governor be able to privatize government functions without approval by the state legislature? 84% 10% 7% Required to pass the state legislature Without approval by state legislature Do not know

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Lottery3. How often do you play the Pennsylvania lottery? Would you say you purchase Pennsylvania lottery tickets frequently, sometimes, seldom or never? 15% 23% 32% 30% Frequently Sometimes Seldom Never

Lottery4. If a private company begins managing the lottery, do you think you will play the lottery more frequently, less frequently, or about the same amount? 1% 19% 75% 5% More frequently Less frequently About the same amount Do not know

Q21. Some people believe Pennsylvania should get out of the business of selling wine and spirits and are talking about selling the state's liquor stores to private companies. Do you support or oppose the state of Pennsylvania selling the state-owned liquor stores to private companies? Strongly support 34% 35% 42% Somewhat support 19% 15% 13% Somewhat oppose 10% 8% 6% Strongly oppose 24% 29% 24% Do not know 12% 13% 15%

Feb 2013* May 2010 June 2002

*Question asked of registered respondents only

Roads1. Now, Id like to ask you about Pennsylvanias road and transit system. Generally speaking, do you think the state should be spending more or spending less on repairing and improving the states roads, bridges, and transit systems? Is that [much or somewhat more/less]? 35% 47% 8% 2% 8% Much more Somewhat more Somewhat less Much less Do not know

Roads2. The Governor is expected to announce a plan to increase funding for the states roads, bridges, and transit systems. The Governors transportation funding plan is expected to increase vehicle and drivers fees and lift the cap on the oil company franchise tax, which is a tax paid by gas stations on the average wholesale price of gas and diesel fuel. Do you favor or oppose this plan to increase state funding for roads, bridges and transit systems? 14% 29% 17% 30% 11% Strongly favor Somewhat favor Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Do not know

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IntGuns. Im going to ask you about some gun control ideas that are currently being talked about. For each, please tell me if you FAVOR or OPPOSE the proposal. First, do you favor or oppose

Strongly Favor

Somewhat Favor

Somewhat Oppose

Strongly Oppose

Do Not Know

Limiting the number of handguns that state residents can purchase to no more than one handgun per month unless the person is a police officer or licensed gun dealer or collector Feb 2013 47% 14% 12% 24% 4% Mar 2009 52% 14% 6% 25% 3% Allowing cities, townships, and boroughs to create their own regulations for the use and purchase of firearms Feb 2013 15% 12% 13% 53% 7% Mar 2009 17% 17% 12% 46% 8% Requiring background checks for all gun sales Feb 2013 87% 7% 3% 4% 0% Banning high-capacity ammunition magazines Feb 2013 53% 8% 10% 25% 3% Banning the sale of assault weapons Feb 2013 55% 6% 12% 24% 3% Legal_MJ. Do you think the use of marijuana should be made legal, or not? Yes Feb 2013 May 2010 May 2006 36% 33% 22% No 55% 60% 72% Do not know 9% 7% 6%

FO_MJ. Generally speaking...do you favor or oppose allowing adults to legally use marijuana for medical purposes if a doctor recommends it? Strongly favor 51% 53% 44% Somewhat favor 31% 27% 32% Somewhat oppose 3% 4% 7% Strongly oppose 13% 13% 13% Do not know 2% 3% 4%

Feb 2013 May 2010 May 2006

FO_Gay. Generally speaking...do you favor or oppose allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally? Strongly favor 36% 17% Somewhat favor 16% 16% Somewhat oppose 7% 10% Strongly oppose 34% 50% Do not know 8% 7%

Feb 2013 May 2006

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DEMO I now have a final few questions for statistical purposes only. CNTY. Region of state (What is the name of the county you live in?) 9% 12% 11% 10% 9% 26% 24% Philadelphia Northeast Allegheny Southwest Northwest Central Southeast

AGE. What was your age on your last birthday? 3% 8% 10% 21% 23% 36% 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65 and older

EDUC. What was the highest grade level of schooling you have completed? 4% 28% 15% 12% 22% 20% Non high school graduate High school graduate or GED Some college Two-year or tech degree Four year college degree Post graduate degree

MAR. What is your CURRENT marital statusare you single, married, separated, divorced, or a widower? 16% 69% 1% 6% 9% Single, Never Married Married Separated Divorced Widow or widower

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IDEO. Politically speaking, do you consider yourself to be a liberal, a moderate, or a conservative? Liberal Feb 2013 Oct 2012 Sep 2012 Aug 2012 June 2012 Feb 2012 Jan 2011 Oct 2011 Aug 2011 Mar 2011 Oct 2010 Sep 2010 Aug 2010 May 2010 Mar 2010 Feb 2010 Jan 2010 GUN. Are you a gun owner? 34% 66% Yes No 26% 22% 26% 21% 25% 17% 21% 20% 24% 16% 16% 15% 19% 19% 17% 21% 19% Moderate 36% 39% 34% 40% 34% 39% 39% 39% 32% 33% 37% 34% 32% 32% 35% 33% 30% Conservative 35% 35% 35% 36% 36% 40% 36% 33% 37% 41% 39% 40% 40% 40% 40% 37% 42% Dont know 3% 5% 5% 4% 5% 4% 4% 8% 7% 10% 8% 10% 9% 9% 8% 9% 9%

GUN2. Generally speaking, do you favor or oppose creating more laws that regulate gun ownership? Strongly favor 43% 40% 39% 39% 35% 34% 37% 37% 35% 38% 39% 39% 33% 38% 35% 42% 34% 28% 40% 33% 41% 37% 41% Somewhat favor 15% 20% 15% 17% 16% 15% 15% 14% 19% 20% 16% 17% 19% 19% 20% 17% 18% 20% 14% 22% 18% 18% 19% Somewhat oppose 10% 14% 12% 15% 15% 17% 14% 16% 17% 14% 13% 16% 19% 15% 15% 14% 15% 14% 11% 15% 14% 15% 11% Strongly oppose 28% 23% 31% 26% 26% 28% 27% 27% 22% 20% 25% 23% 23% 20% 23% 21% 26% 29% 28% 24% 22% 22% 24% Dont know 4% 3% 3% 3% 8% 6% 7% 6% 7% 8% 8% 6% 7% 8% 7% 7% 7% 9% 7% 6% 6% 9% 5%

Feb 2013* Aug 2007 Jun 2007 Feb 2007 Oct 2006* Sep 2006* Aug 2006* May 2006* Feb 2006 Nov 2005 Sep 2005 Jun 2005 Oct 2004* Sep 2004* Aug 2004* Mar 2004* Oct 2002* Sep 2002* Jun 2002* Oct 2001* Apr 2001* Oct 2000* Feb 2000*

*Question asked of registered respondents only

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Hisp. Are you Hispanic or Latino, or not? 2% 98% Yes No

RACE. Which of the following categories best describes your racial background? 92% 8% White Non-white

REL. Do you consider yourself to be Protestant, Catholic, some other religion, or not affiliated with any religion? 33% 36% 16% 14% Protestant Catholic Some other religion Not affiliated with any religion

BAC. Do you consider yourself to be a born-again Christian or fundamentalist, or not? 28% 71% 2% Yes No Dont know

WORK. Are you currently working fulltime, part-time, going to school, keeping house or something else? 42% 11% 2% 7% 4% 2% 31% Fulltime Part-time Going to school Keeping house Unemployed Disabled Retired

INC1. And, just for statistical purposes, we need to know if your total family income is above or below $50,000 per year? 12% 10% 15% 22% 15% 23% 4% Under $25,000 $25-$35,000 $35-50,000 $50-75,000 $75-100,000 Over $100,000 Dont know

DONE. Sex of respondent: 48% 52% Male Female

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