And the Survey Says!

by State Representative David W. Floyd

January 31, 2007

I have the compiled answers to the questionnaire that I sent to all households and businesses in the 50th District. I find the results interesting, and hope that you do, too.

1. Do you agree or disagree that the General Assembly should pass legislation that would place a constitutional amendment on the ballot regarding expanded gaming in Kentucky? Survey says that a good margin, 54% to 31% agree with this. As I have said I can support putting a measure on the ballot for the people to vote, but it has to be fair. If it’s a few casinos controlled by a few powerful groups, then it’s not fair. Even if it was fair and I voted to put it on the ballot, I’d vote against it as a citizen.

2. Would you support legislation that would allow special needs children to attend any school within their district that could better suit their needs, and allow the school of their choice to receive state funding for those children? Survey says that 86% of you favor this measure, and by almost three-to-one (63% - 23%) you’d let the state funds go to a private school. This is a good thing, because I’m a cosponsor of the bill that would give this choice to parents of special needs children. I hope we can get that passed.

3. Would you favor legislation that prohibits embryonic research that destroys and embryo, or subjects the embryo to injury or death? This was split about even; 45% say yes, 43% say no. I believe that if folks are told about the success of research with amniotic, umbilical, and adult cells, a huge majority of people will understand that the controversy over embryonic stem cell research can just go away. We don’t need them.

4. Would you support legislation that increases co-payments for Medicaid-funded health services? 57% said no, 29% said yes. This was a surprise to me.

5. Would you support the legalization of importing prescription drugs from other countries, even if they have not been approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration? We’re split again: 44% yes, 46% no.

6. Please rank, with one being the highest, what you feel are priority areas for state spending. By far (40%), we think that education is most important. Then we have a three-way tie at about 14% with roads/bridges, Medicaid, and public health programs. Next is public safety. Parks got only 1%, and I believe that we have the best state parks in the nation!

7. Do you agree or disagree that there should be a constitutional amendment that limits punitive damages awarded in a medical malpractice lawsuit? Huge majority of us (65%) say yes, only 27% say no.

8. If you were offered the opportunity to voluntarily increase the amount of taxes you paid to Kentucky, would you do so? Big surprise here – 4% said yes! Wouldn’t have thought there were that many. But 88% said no way.

9. With regard to taxes, how do you rank the amount you pay? Survey says that 55% believe it’s too much, 41% about right, and a few (1%) actually exist who want to pay more.

10. Would you be willing to pay an additional, increased tax on gasoline in order to fund more road construction? This is interesting. We have a bunch more (18%) who wouldn’t mind paying more in gas taxes compared to income taxes. But 77% still say no to this one. It’s an odd thing, gas prices; why is it that we pay a good bit less in tax on a gallon of gas than they do in neighboring states, but the price of gas at the pump across the border is the same? It’s a curious thing, and I might write about that in a future column.

We go back into session next week, and some of these questions will be addressed by way of legislation. I appreciate that you responded to my questionnaire. I’ve gained good insight into how folks in the 50th District look at issues that will be coming before me.

In the meantime, I enjoy hearing from you. If you have ideas for next year’s questions send them to me and I’ll take a look. If you need help with something then please call, because I’m here to help. Call me at home or leave me a message at 800-372-7181. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.