111 LATEST STATE FINDINGS REVEALED IN FALL 2006 MTSU POLL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 4,

2006EDITORIAL CONTACTS: Dr. Ken Blake, 615-210-6187 (kblake@mtsu.edu) Dr. Robert O. Wyatt, 615-477-8389 (rwyatt@mtsu.edu)

(MURFREESBORO)—State findings in the Fall 2006 MTSU Poll, now available at www.mtsusurveygroup.org, show that Tennesseans’ attitudes toward immigrants don’t change simply by using politically correct terminology. In a survey experiment, fully 60 percent of those responding said they think “illegal” immigrants make life worse, while another 58 percent say “undocumented” immigrants make life worse. Tennesseans also have mixed feelings on the issue of growth: They like the jobs and the improved standard of living that growth is bringing to the state, but they don’t care for the traffic. The poll also indicates Tennesseans’ views on education, their state Legislature, health care and the state’s economy. A summary of the state findings is included below; more details and appendices are available at the Web site. For Tennessee public opinion data from 1998 to present, visit www.mtsusurveygroup.org, home of the twice-annual MTSU Poll, a project of the MTSU Office of Communication Research. The OCR is a division of MTSU’s College of Mass Communication.

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Summary of State Findings, Fall 2006 Growth’s impact on jobs, living standard appealing. But, oh, the traffic! Improvements in job availability and the standard of living are the most commonly named benefits of growth in the state’s population and economy. But growth-induced traffic woes draw loud complaints, especially in the Midstate. (Contact: Ken Blake)

Attitudes towards immigrants not improved by politically correct terminology. A majority (52%) think immigration is a good thing, but 53 percent also want to reduce levels. In an experiment, fully 60 percent think “illegal” immigrants make life worse, while another 58 percent say “undocumented” immigrants make life worse. (Contact Bob Wyatt) Nashvillians among the least pleased with their local schools. Tennesseans give their local school a C average. Compared to people elsewhere in the state, metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County residents give their schools a C-minus. (Contact: Ken Blake) Legislature approval up, but still low. Forty percent of Tennesseans approve of the job the Legislature is doing. Although under a majority, the figure represents an upward climb from last spring. (Contact Ken Blake) Health care No. 1 state problem again. Health care continues to be Tennessee’s No. 1 problem, named by 19 percent. Health care emerged as the No. 1 problem in spring 2004. Education, crime, and the economy follow. (Contact Bob Wyatt) Tennessee mood brightens; national mood sour. The Tennessee barometer stands at a high of 61. The national barometer stands is 35. Each barometer is an index of chief-executive approval, economic perception, and the direction of the nation or state. (Contact Bob Wyatt) Bredesen’s rating shades upward. Gov. Phil Bredesen’s approval stands at 57 percent, up insignificantly from 54 percent last spring but down from 61 percent in spring 2005. Bredesen is approved equally by Democrats and Republicans. (Contact Bob Wyatt) Perception of state economy and direction looking up. A full 42 percent rate Tennessee’s economy good, but 41 percent rate it fair. Republicans and independents (52%) rate the economy as good, compared to 22 percent of Democrats and others. (Contact Bob Wyatt) For detailed findings and sampling breakdowns of the Fall 2006 MTSU Poll, visit www.mtsusurveygroup.org. —30—