LSU Survey Results
Ethics Reform in Louisiana
Many people think that Louisiana needs stronger ethics legislation in state government, while others think our present laws are strong enough but we need better enforcement of existing laws. What about you? Do you think Louisiana needs stronger ethic laws or better enforcement of existing laws?
% Before % After Stronger Laws 7.7 7.1 Better Enforcement of Existing Laws 15.4 35.7 Both 69.2 57.1 Don’t Know/Haven’t Thought Enough About It 0.0 0.0 Don't know / Not available 7.7 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Please tell whether you think it is a good reason for strengthening ethics laws, a bad reason, or whether you haven’t thought much about it?
Strengthening ethics laws will improve Louisiana’s national image for corruption.
% Before % After Good Reason 81.5 100.0 Bad Reason 3.1 0.0 Haven’t Thought Much About It 15.4 0.0 Don't know / Not available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Strengthening ethics laws will enhance economic development efforts and make it more likely that companies will consider Louisiana when they decide where to locate.
% Before % After Good Reason 92.3 100.0 Bad Reason 0.0 0.0 Haven’t Thought Much About It 7.7 0.0 Don't know / Not available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Strengthening ethics laws will make it more likely that elected officials will act in the public interest.
% Before % After Good Reason 76.9 85.7 Bad Reason 15.4 7.1 Haven’t Thought Much About It 7.7 7.1 Don't know / Not available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Thinking now specifically about the enforcement of state ethics laws, how much confidence do you have that these laws can be enforced in a fair, nonpartisan manner? Would you say you are very confident, somewhat confident, not very confident, or not at all confident?
% Before % After Very confident 23.1 21.4 Somewhat confident 46.2 64.3 Not very confident 15.4 14.3 Not at all confident 7.7 0.0 Don't know / Not available 7.7 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Who do you think should enforce ethics laws?
% Before % After An independent ethics commission 30.8 64.3 The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office 53.8 21.4 Local district attorneys 15.4 0.0 Someone else 0.0 0.0 Don't know / Not available 0.0 14.3 Refused 0.0 0.0 As you may be aware, one of the issues in the legislative debate over ethics laws has been a question about who the law should apply to. As the legislature considers tightening existing laws, do you think any news restrictions should apply to?
% Before % After State legislators 0.0 0.0 All state elected officials 7.7 7.1 All state AND local elected officials 15.4 50.0 All state and local elected officials AND all state employees 69.2 42.9 Don't know / Not available 7.7 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Please tell me whether you strongly agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree, disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement:
Unethical politicians can always find ways around any new ethics laws.
% Before % After Strongly agree 53.8 42.9 Agree 30.8 42.9 Neither agree nor disagree 15.4 14.3 Disagree 0.0 0.0 Strongly disagree 0.0 0.0 Don't know / Not available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Would you say the government is pretty much run by a few big interests looking out for themselves or that it is run for the benefit of all the people?
% Before % After Few Big Interests 53.8 57.1 Benefit of all 30.8 28.6 Don't Know / Not Available 15.4 14.3 Refused 0.0 0.0 How much attention do you feel the government pays to what the people think when it decides what to do -- a good deal, some, or not much?
% Before % After Good Deal 15.4 14.3 Some 46.2 71.4 Not Much 38.5 14.3 Don't Know / Not Available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement:
I am generally well informed about this show's topic.
% Before % After Strongly agree 15.4 21.4 Agree 61.5 71.4 Neither agree nor disagree 15.4 7.1 Disagree 7.7 0.0 Strongly disagree 0.0 0.0 Don't know / Not available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement:
I understand why people would disagree with my perspective on this issue.
% Before % After Strongly agree 38.5 28.6 Agree 61.5 57.1 Neither agree nor disagree 0.0 0.0 Disagree 0.0 14.3 Strongly disagree 0.0 0.0 Don't know / Not available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement:
Discussions - even those that involve serious disagreements - should be an important part of the political processes.
% Before % After Strongly agree 76.9 78.6 Agree 23.1 14.3 Neither agree nor disagree 0.0 0.0 Disagree 0.0 7.1 Strongly disagree 0.0 0.0 Don't know / Not available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement:
Democracy requires hearing from all sides of a political issue, even those with unpopular views.
% Before % After Strongly agree 76.9 85.7 Agree 23.1 14.3 Neither agree nor disagree 0.0 0.0 Disagree 0.0 0.0 Strongly disagree 0.0 0.0 Don't know / Not available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0
Some questions and comments may be included in the program.
