Several measures maintain solid leads

Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2004 | 11:15 a.m.

Nevadans continue to show strong support for ballot measures dealing with educational issues, the minimum wage and more police officers, according to a new poll.

The statewide Las Vegas Sun/Channel 8 Eyewitness News/KNPR Nevada Public Radio poll was conducted from Oct. 16 through Oct. 19 by Washington-based polling firm Belden Russonello & Stewart.

The statewide ballot measures dealing with educational issues and the minimum wage and the Clark County advisory question on more police all had leads of about 2-to-1. The poll had a margin of error of 4 percentage points for the statewide ballot measures and 5 percentage points for the county question.

"We're so close to the election now and all of these questions are running at 60 percent approval or more," Kate Stewart, a partner in the polling firm, said. "Anything over 60 percent is very healthy for a ballot initiative."

With 600 very likely voters polled, the results showed statewide ballot Question 1, the "Education First Initiative Petition," being favored by a margin of 62 percent to 26 percent. A poll taken last month by the firm showed this measure ahead 66-26.

Question 1, a proposed amendment to the Nevada Constitution, would require the Nevada Legislature to fund public schools from kindergarten through 12th grade before passing any other part of the state budget. The initiative, co-authored by Assemblywoman Dawn Gibbons, R-Reno, and Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., would have to be approved in the Nov. 2 general election and again in November 2006 before taking effect.

Support for this measure cuts across gender, age, locale and political party affiliation. Support is strongest among women (64 percent to 23 percent), individuals aged 18 to 39 (74-15), self-described Democrats (68-21) and Clark County residents (63-25).

"It shows that the people of this state expect and demand that the Legislature make education the priority it should be and that's the message voters will send on election day," Jim Denton, campaign coordinator for the "Education First" initiative, said. "People expect schools to be open on time."

Question 2, the statewide "Improve Nevada Public School Funding to the National Average" initiative proposed by teachers, was ahead 61-30. In last month's Sun poll, Question 2 was favored 71-24.

This initiative, which would amend the Nevada Constitution and take effect if it passes both next month and in 2006, would require state education funding to be at least at the national average per pupil by 2012.

"This affirms the numbers we've seen internally and we're encouraged by that," Dan Hart, Question 2 campaign manager, said. "We see this as the right answer for our kids. I challenge you to find one candidate running for office who says that education isn't important. But when they get to Carson City they don't put the emphasis on education the way people want."

Support for this initiative also cuts across gender, age, locale and party affiliation. As for Question 1, the strongest backing for Question 2 comes from women (65-24), individuals aged 18 to 39 (72-20) and Democrats (71-17).

While this initiative is running strong throughout the state, it is doing better in Washoe County (67-25) than in Clark County (60-30). It is also doing better among supporters of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (72-16) than among backers of Republican President Bush (51-42).

Question 6, the statewide "Raise the Minimum Wage for Working Nevadans" measure proposed by organized labor, was also ahead 67-26. Last month Question 6 was leading 72-22.

It would raise the minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $6.15 an hour for Nevada employees who do not have health care. Employers would be able to pay $5.15 an hour only if they provide health care to their workers.

Because it, too, would amend the Nevada Constitution it would have to pass both on Nov. 2 and in the 2006 general election before taking effect.

All major demographic groups solidly back this ballot measure. The measure is getting its greatest backing from individuals aged 18 to 39 (78-16), Democrats (78-17) and Washoe County residents (72-20). Individuals who plan to vote for Kerry support this measure by a margin of 81 percent to 12 percent, considerably stronger than those who plan to vote for Bush (55-38).

"I believe that Nevadans recognize hard work and they know that the minimum wage hasn't been raised for so long," Gail Tuzzolo, campaign manager for Question 6, said. "People feel that someone who works full time should make more than $5.15 an hour."

The poll also asked 391 very likely voters in Clark County about Question 9, the "More Cops" advisory measure, and found support by a margin of 60 percent to 35 percent. Last month Question 9 was ahead 65-34.

"That runs pretty much in line with what we're hearing," Stan Olsen, executive director of the Metro Police office of intergovernmental services, said of the poll. "I'm comfortable with it."

Question 9 would allow police departments in Southern Nevada to hire more officers beginning next year by raising the county sales tax by 1/4 cent in both July 2005 and July 2009. That would bring the total sales tax in the county to 8 percent in 2009.

Because Question 9 is only a non-binding advisory measure, the police departments would still have to get authorization from the Legislature next year to approve the tax hike and then convince the Clark County Commission to levy the tax increase.

If the tax hike is approved, it is estimated that Metro Police would be able to hire 1,278 additional officers over a 10-year period beginning next year. It is also estimated that the tax increase over the same period would result in 227 additional police in Henderson, 151 new officers in North Las Vegas, 16 more in Boulder City and 14 more in Mesquite.

The support for this question cuts across gender, age and party affiliation but is much stronger among women (67-29) than men (54-41), and stronger among Democrats (69-28) than Republicans (56-40) and independents (53-44).

"The public truly understands that the need is there," Olsen said. "The public is willing to pay additional taxes if they know that it's going to an appropriate function."