Idahoans list education as key concern on survey

With 57.5 percent of those surveyed ranking education as either their first or second priority, the state legislature will need to address policies and funding for schools.
With 57.5 percent of those surveyed ranking education as either their first or second priority, the state legislature will need to address policies and funding for schools. | Contributed photo
Education is the top priority for Idahoans, based on the results of the Boise State School of Public Service survey results.

The Boise State Public Policy Survey assists state legislators by evaluating public sentiment. After two decades, the poll ended in 2011 but has been reinstated.

With 57.5 percent of those surveyed ranking education as either their first or second priority, the state legislature will need to address policies and funding for schools. The economy and unemployment ranked close behind, with their combined results showing that 55.4 percent of people questioned listened these as one of their top two concerns.

While Idahoans are not overwhelmingly dissatisfied with the current direction in which the state is headed -- 57 percent feel that the current path is the right one -- there is hesitancy in regards to certain policies. Tax rates and the state budget don’t seem to rank as concerns, with the majority of those polled feeling they are about right.

The poll was directed by the Department of Public Policy and Administration Chair Gregory Hill in cooperation with Justin Vaughn, associate professor of political science, on behalf of the school. It was conducted by GS Strategy Group, a polling firm in Boise, from Jan. 11-15, with 1,000 Idaho adults questioned.