Editing 78-12-A6 (section)

=== Transcript ===
Recently a California newspaper did a survey undoubtedly
inspired by Proposition 13 but aimed at learning people's attitude
toward government services and government spending. As it turned out
73.6% of the respondents had voted for Proposition 13. The poll
sought answers as to the areas where government could be reduced, and
how much "fat" those polled thought there was in government.

When they were asked how much fat they thought there was in
local government, the biggest percentage (just over half) estimated
25% or more. But almost 94% put it at above 10%. And, 77% said 10%
or more of local government employees should be cut from the payroll.
Here again the biggest percentage, 22.2% would eliminate 25% or more.
Personally, I've always felt the best, and -- yes -- the humane way
to reduce the government payroll is by attrition. Put a freeze on
hiring replacements for those who retire or leave government service.
We made this work in California and there were no layoffs.

Most interesting in the poll, however, was where people thought
the cuts should be made. They were given a pretty complete list of
city functions and asked, yes or no on whether cuts should be made
in each of these services. More than 85% said "no" to reducing
police or fire protection. Next highest support -- a fraction over
65% -- was for street maintenance.

But in the "yes" vote -- where they felt cuts should be made --
more than 95% said, "in administration". Around 85% would cut aid
to non-profit groups and the size of the city work force. Nearly
80% of those polled would cut downtown redevelopment and planning.

Switching to county functions, almost 82% would not make cuts
in the Sheriff's Department. But almost 88% would reduce welfare
and public assistance, 80% would cut planning and more than 82%
would reduce the size of the work force. But here again, the
biggest cut by far wanted was in administrative overhead -- 94.7%.

Finally, the poll took up school spending. In basic education
activities 84.2% said "no" to any cuts and more than 63% would not
reduce the number of teachers or increase class size. However,
almost 94% would cut administration. And 86.3 would cut programs
such as bilingual education. Around 65% would close neighborhood
schools with low enrollment and child care centers, and 58% would
trim spending on extra-curricular activities such as band, art classes
and driver education. Almost 80% would reduce the size of the work
force.

The final two questions in the poll should be of special interest
to elected public servants. More than three-fourths (76.7%) said they
would favor a state constitutional amendment that would limit how much
money state and local governments could spend. And 77.6% said they did
not -- repeat -- not want other taxes increased to help pay for services
that may be cut as a result of Proposition 13.

Just maybe some one in government had better be listening. 

This is Ronald Reagan.

Thanks for listening.
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