A new Goucher Poll looks at several key issues impacting Maryland residents.
The topics including increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour, legalizing recreational marijuana, raising the age for tobacco use, banning Styrofoam containers, and legalizing a bill that allows terminally ill patients to be given medication that allows them to die in their sleep if they choose.
Here's a breakdown of the survey:
- 66 percent support raising the minimum age for the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products and 31 percent oppose it.
- 67 percent support raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour and 30 percent oppose it.
- 57 percent support legalizing the recreational use of marijuana and 37 percent oppose it.
- 63 percent support a statewide ban on Styrofoam products such as food containers, plates, and cups and 31 percent oppose it.
- 62 percent support the proposed “aid-in-dying” bill and 31 percent oppose it.
Marylanders polled were also asked about how much money is spent on public education:
- Too little: 64 percent
- About the right amount: 24 percent
- Too much: 7 percent
The same people surveyed were asked about racial justice issues across the state of Maryland:
- 39 percent of all Marylanders agree that “people of all races receive equal treatment by the police in your community.”
- Among African Americans, 18 percent agree.
- Among whites, 47 percent agree.
- 55 percent of Marylanders agree that “racial minorities face discrimination on the job or at work in Maryland.”
- Among African Americans, 69 percent agree.
- Among whites, 47 percent agree.
- 53 percent of Marylanders agree that “race relations in Maryland have gotten worse over the past few years.”
- Among African Americans, 54 percent agree.
- Among whites, 54 percent agree.
- 24 percent of Marylanders agree that “the criminal justice system in Maryland treats whites and blacks equally.”
- Among African Americans, 10 percent agree.
- Among whites, 30 percent agree.
- 63 percent of Marylanders agree that “racism is a big problem in Maryland today.”
- Among African Americans, 72 percent agree.
- Among whites, 58 percent agree.
Marylanders participating in this Goucher Poll also have concerns about pollution in the Chesapeake Bay"
- 62% of residents rate the health of the environment in Maryland as either “poor” or “fair."
- 36% rate it as “excellent” or “good.”
- 86% “very” or “somewhat” concerned with pollution in the Chesapeake Bay
- 13% “not at all” or “a little” concerned about the Bay.
Here's a link to Part One of this poll. Part Two will be released Tuesday.
