Marylanders overwhelmingly support requiring police officers to wear body cameras, according to a 2015 survey on Maryland issues. The Maryland Survey, conducted by St. Mary’s College of Maryland politics expert Susan Grogan and students of her “American Politics” class, gauges residents’ views on local and national issues.
Nearly 900 Maryland registered voters were surveyed in late February on issues related to approval ratings for Governor Hogan and President Obama, police body cameras, education, stormwater remediation fees, the Phosphorus Rule, the impact of exporting Maryland’s natural gas on America’s energy security, and fracking.
Key findings include:
-Respondents reaffirmed Governor Hogan’s path to victory, with 49% approving and 21% disapproving of his job performance. A majority feel that their family financial situation will remain about the same as a consequence of the Maryland General Assembly and Governor Hogan’s actions this year.
-Marylanders rate President Obama negatively, with 51% disapproving his job performance.
-Marylanders disapprove (62% to 29%) of Governor Hogan’s projected 5% tuition increase for the University System of Maryland.
-Marylanders are opposed to cuts to the GCEI and other public school funding formulas 49% to 32% and most Marylanders either oppose increasing funds to charter schools or would increase such funds only under certain conditions. The predominant condition cited is restoring or increasing public school funds.
-Slightly more Marylanders (33%) favor fracking than last year (31%). Those opposed to fracking have markedly increased from 35% to 43%. These increases have come as 10% fewer Marylanders are indecisive.
-Most (59%) Marylanders favor repeal of the “Rain Tax” (the Stormwater Remediation Fee), but 52% of those and 58% of all Marylanders approve of the Phosphorus Rule.
To download the complete survey results and analysis, visit www.mdsurvey.org.