A survey of 1000 Florida voters found strong support for prioritizing early childhood education, development, and healthcare. 72% said these issues were extremely or very important personally. The same percentage expressed support for the Children's Movement of Florida, which advocates for making children the highest budget priority rather than taxes. 57% would be more likely to vote for legislators who pledged funding for the Movement's programs in mentoring, healthcare, pre-K, and special needs screening. A majority also prioritized early childhood spending over prisons and roads. 31% said they would donate $10 or more to the organization.

1. Key Findings from a Survey of Voter Attitudes in Florida December 13-16, 2010

3. Interviews conducted via live telephone operators from December 13-16, 2010

4. Margin of error is + 3.1% at the 95% confidence level

5. Interviews conducted in English and Spanish 2

6. Seventy-two percent (72%) say education, the development and health care of children is “extremely” or “very” important. Thinking about issues related to the education, development and health care of children: How important would you say these issues are to you personally? Would you say that these issues are extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not at all important to you personally? 3

7. After hearing a brief description of the Children’s Movement of Florida, seventy-two percent (72%) indicate they would be supportive of this organization. This includes majorities across party lines. The Children’s Movement of Florida is a citizen-led, non-partisan movement to educate political, business and civic leaders – and all parents of the state – about the urgent need to make the well-being and education of our infants, toddlers and all other children Florida's highest priority. Our mission is not about raising taxes, but rather about raising children. Florida's children deserve to be our first priority when deciding how the state's resources are spent. Based on this mission statement, would you be supportive of this organization? 4

8. CMF Proposals 5

9. A majority of voters (57%) indicate they would be “more likely” to vote for their state legislator if they pledged to support funding for the suggested programs and initiatives. If your state legislator pledged to support funding for all of the programs I just read would you be more likely or less likely to vote for them? 6

10. A majority support early childhood development spending as a priority in the budget when compared to spending for prisons, and road construction. Now, I would like to read you a list of statements that some people have said about the upcoming state budget debate. Please listen carefully as I read each statement and tell me if you would agree or disagree with that particular statement.

11. How much money would you be willing to contribute to this organization – less than ten dollars, ten to twenty five dollars, twenty-five to fifty dollars, fifty to one hundred dollars, or more than one hundred dollars? 31% or more than 3 million voters indicate they would donate $10 or more 8

13. They are ready to reward members of the state legislature who support these proposals because early childhood developmental programs are of strong importance to them.

14. Among the five specific proposals tested, four proposals -- mentoring, health insurance coverage for children, improving the voluntary pre-K program, and special needs screening – have support from 55% of voters or more.

15. The fifth proposal – parental skill building – has fully 46% support.

16. Even in match-ups with key issues like road construction and maintaining prisons, the funding of these programs is seen as deserving of being a top priority.9