2006 Constituent Survey Results
1. Do you favor passing the Taxpayer?s Bill of Rights (TABOR), a proposal that would require a vote of the people of Tennessee before any tax increase could be implemented?
YES ? 80%
NO ? 10%
UNDECIDED ? 10%
2. Do you support a Special Session of the legislature to discuss ways to keep more people enrolled in TennCare?
YES ? 43%
NO ? 44%
UNDECIDED ? 13%
3. Prescription drugs from Canada are approximately 25 to 40 percent cheaper than the same drugs purchased in the U.S. Do you support allowing Tennesseans to purchase safe prescription drugs from Canada?
YES ? 88%
NO ? 5%
UNDECIDED ? 7%
4. Should Tennessee require a photo ID before allowing an individual to vote?
YES ? 80%
NO ? 14%
UNDECIDED ? 6%
5. Should the state administer English only driver?s license testing?
YES ? 75%
NO ? 17%
UNDECIDED ? 8%
6. Should the state require proof of automobile insurance before issuing or renewing license plate tags?
YES ? 88%
NO ? 8%
UNDECIDED ? 4%
7. Should the requirement that motorcycle drivers and riders 21 years and older wear helmets be eliminated?
ELIMINATE REQUIREMENT ? 19%
REQUIRE HELMETS ? 69%
UNDECIDED ? 12%
8. If the lottery meets its monetary goals, and there are funds beyond what is needed for college scholarships, should the money be spent on pre-K and other K-12 education needs, or should the scholarship amounts be increased?
SPEND ON K-12 EDUCATION ? 53%
INCREASE SCHOLARSHIPS ? 37%
UNDECIDED ? 10%
9. Do you think lottery scholarships should be made available to students who did not go straight from high school to college (older, non-traditional students)?
YES ? 70%
NO ? 21%
UNDECIDED ? 9%
10. Should the state institute a cap on higher education tuition increases?
YES ? 76%
NO ? 15%
UNDECIDED ? 9%
11. Should all public schools be required to have metal detectors to screen students and visitors for weapons?
YES ? 49%
NO ? 34%
UNDECIDED ? 17%
12. Even if it means state and/or local tax increases, should the state require local school boards to have seat belts available for use by all public school student passengers?
YES ? 38%
NO ? 48%
UNDECIDED ? 14%
13. In 2005, the General Assembly funded a voluntary pre-K program for approximately 6,000 at risk 4-year-old children using $25 million of lottery proceeds. If excess lottery revenues are not available in the future, should tax revenues be used to continue the present program?
USE TAX REVENUES TO CONTINUE OR EXPAND PROGRAM ? 20%
ONLY USE LOTTERY MONIES FOR PROGRAM ? 61%
UNDECIDED ? 19%
14. Do you think children who are home schooled should be allowed to play sports on the public school teams or participate in extracurricular activities, (i.e. band, cheerleading, choir, etc.) at their local schools?
YES ? 39%
NO ? 51%
UNDECIDED ? 10%
15. Do you think public schools should test student athletes for steroids?
YES ? 72%
NO ? 19%
UNDECIDED ? 9%
16. The United States Supreme Court issued an opinion this year regarding eminent domain which allows local governments to force the sale of private property for economic development. Do you support legislation to prevent the taking of well-maintained, private property for the purpose of economic development or for generating tax revenue?
YES ? 70%
NO ? 21%
UNDECIDED ? 9%
17. Do you support tougher penalties for people who assault police officers?
YES ? 61%
NO ? 22%
UNDECIDED ? 17%
18. Would you favor increasing the penalty for a first-time conviction of aggravated cruelty to animals, from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony? The penalty for a Class A misdemeanor is not more than 11 months/29 days, or a fine not to exceed $2,500 or both. The penalty for a Class E felony is 1-6 years, with possible fines up to $3,000.
YES ? 42%
NO ? 44%
UNDECIDED ? 14%
19. Do you think the voters of Tennessee should have an opportunity to vote on a Constitutional ban (and/or Constitutional limits) on abortion?
YES ? 67%
NO ? 22%
UNDECIDED ? 11%
20. Tennessee is the only state which does not currently elect its attorney general. Do you favor the popular election of the attorney general, instead of our present system of appointment by the Tennessee Supreme Court?
YES ? 63%
NO ? 20%
UNDECIDED ? 17%
21. Do you support amending the state Constitution to allow voters to elect the State Constitutional Officers (Comptroller, State Treasurer & Secretary of State)? Currently, they are selected by the state legislature.
PUBLIC ELECTION ? 59%
STATE LEGISLATURE ELECTS ? 22%
UNDECIDED ? 19%
22. Tennessee currently has a handgun carry permit law which requires individuals to pass FBI criminal background checks, as well as take a gun safety class. Should a law be passed which would allow a duly licensed individual, who is not consuming alcohol, to take their concealed weapons in bars or restaurants that serve alcohol?
YES ? 26%
NO ? 67%
UNDECIDED ? 7%
23. Do you support a law that would require pawnshop customers to be fingerprinted which law enforcement believes will help identify people if they are trafficking stolen property?
YES ? 81%
NO ? 12%
UNDECIDED ? 7%
24. Do you support legislation allowing Tennesseans to directly purchase wine from out-of-state wineries and/or over the Internet?
YES ? 69%
NO ? 19%
UNDECIDED ? 12%
25. Should alcohol be allowed at state golf courses?
YES ? 35%
NO ? 51%
UNDECIDED ? 14%
26. Currently, cell phone rates and regulations are controlled by Congress and federal law. Should states ask Congress for more regulation power over the cell phone industry?
YES ? 45%
NO ? 35%
UNDECIDED ? 20%
27. Should states have the power to regulate cable TV rates?
YES ? 66%
NO ? 20%
UNDECIDED ? 14%
28. Currently, Tennessee has no restrictions regarding a candidate for public office accepting cash campaign contributions. Should the state limit such cash campaign donations to $100 or prohibit cash altogether?
ACCEPT CASH ONLY WITH A $100 LIMIT ? 38%
PROHIBIT CASH CONTRIBUTIONS ALTOGETHER ? 45%
UNDECIDED ? 17%
29. Would you favor new campaign finance legislation which would require contributors of $100 or more to disclose their occupations or employers?
YES ? 76%
NO ? 11%
UNDECIDED ? 13%
30. Should lobbyists in Tennessee be required to publicly disclose their income made from lobbying?
YES ? 85%
NO ? 6%
UNDECIDED ? 9%
31. Do you think lobbyists should disclose whether they are paid a contingency fee for passing a bill?
YES ? 89%
NO ? 4%
UNDECIDED ? 7%
32. Should lobbyists be required to report how much money they spend on meals, dinners, cocktails, etc. for each state legislator and/or state official?
YES ? 89%
NO ? 5%
UNDECIDED ?6%
33. Do you support legislation that would ban lobbyists entirely from spending any monies on a state legislator and/or state officials?
YES ? 72%
NO ? 12%
UNDECIDED ? 16%
34. Should executive branch staff and cabinet members be held to the same ethical requirements as state legislators?
YES ? 91%
NO ? 2%
UNDECIDED ? 7%
35. Should lobbyists be prohibited from giving campaign contributions to legislative candidates?
YES ? 73%
NO ? 13%
UNDECIDED ? 14%
36. Should state legislators and executive branch staff members be required to wait for a period of time (such as one year) after leaving office before they can lobby or work for an organization that they have had influence over?
YES ? 87%
NO ? 5%
UNDECIDED ? 8%
37. Should all committee, subcommittee and final votes on legislation be made available on the Internet?
YES ? 82%
NO ? 8%
UNDECIDED ? 10%
38. Should the state require the Registry of Election Finance to place a candidate’s financial disclosure form information on the Internet to make it publicly accessible?
YES ? 67%
NO ? 21%
UNDECIDED ? 12%
39. Should state resources be used to encourage the development of alternative fuel sources including solar, wind and bio-fuels?
YES ? 70%
NO ? 18%
UNDECIDED ? 12%