The document summarizes the findings of the 2016 Kansas Speaks statewide public opinion survey conducted by the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University. Some key findings include: - Kansans have widespread dissatisfaction with the Kansas state government and negative views of Governor Brownback's job performance. - A majority of Kansans feel the state is headed in the wrong direction and have negative views of the state economy. - Preferences on social issues like abortion and Medicaid expansion in Kansas are mixed. - In a presidential election, likely Kansas voters are split between Trump and Clinton with third party candidates receiving some support.

1. Times Talk: Kansas Speaks
DR. GARY BRINKER
DIRECTOR, DOCKING INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY, FHSU
DR. CHAPMAN RACKAWAY
POLICY FELLOW, DOCKING INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, FHSU

2. What is the
Docking Institute of Public Affairs?
 Social Research Center
 Campus of Fort Hays State University
 Mission: Assist non-profit and
government entities in accomplishing
their goals.
 Staff: Academics in sociology and
political science (4)
 Administrative Specialist
 Student Research Assistants (5)
 Student supervisors and interviewers
for telephone survey center (100)
 Policy Fellows (20)

3. What is Kansas Speaks?
 Statewide Public Opinion Survey
 Conducted every fall
 Large representative sample
 Interviews conduced by telephone by
trained FHSU students
 Measures Kansans’ ratings of
government officials and preferences for
laws and social policies.
 Has exposed many differences between
what Kansans want and what their State
government is giving them.
 Measured widespread dissatisfaction with
Kansas government since 2013

4. 1%
1%
2%
1%
9%
11%
12%
5%
3%
8%
37%
42%
36%
32%
22%
32%
34%
33%
35%
38%
38%
32%
15%
13%
12%
17%
23%
20%
4%
1%
3%
9%
14%
8%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
October
2012
October
2013
October
2014
October
2015
July 2016
October
2016
Rating of the Kansas Economy
Excellent Very good Good Fair Poor Very Poor

5. 19%
31%
23%
18%
20%
20%
23%
23%
30%
33%
36%
35%
35%
36%
42%
31%
45%
29%
33%
32%
32%
29%
27%
13%
19%
12%
9%
9%
9%
10%
7%
5%
3%
2%
4%
3%
2%
2%
1%
2%
3%
1%
0%
2%
1%
1%
0%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
Rate Kansas as a place to live
Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor Very Poor

6. 27%
19%
32%
33%
35%
40%
40%
29%
30%
32%
29%
29%
35%
31%
28%
33%
24%
27%
20%
24%
19%
19%
21%
23%
19%
22%
19%
15%
12%
10%
11%
15%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
Do you feel the economy will seriously threaten
you or your family's welfare?
Very Concerned Moderately Concerned Slightly Concerned Not Concerned at all

7. 30% 70%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Generally speaking, do you feel Kansas is on the right track or
wrong track?
Right Track Wrong Track
Generally speaking, do you feel Kansas is on the right track or wrong track?

8. 5%
4%
21%
12%
15%
14%
25%
19%
32%
38%
7%
15%
7%
21%
21%
12%
25%
11%
18%
15%
62%
32%
43%
16%
11%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Governor Sam Brownback
The Kansas Legislature
President Barack Obama
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran
The Kansas Supreme Court
Level of Satisfaction with Elected Officials
Very Satisfied Somewhat Satisfied Neutral Somewhat Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied

9. 11%
11%
10%
12%
31%
27%
32%
32%
24%
29%
23%
21%
20%
22%
20%
18%
15%
11%
16%
16%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
October
2015
February
2016
July 2016
October
2016
Satisfaction with Senator Jerry Moran's Performance
Very Satisfied Somewhat Satisfied Neutral Somewhat Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied

10. 11%
13%
15%
21%
17%
21%
17%
19%
8%
7%
9%
7%
15%
17%
12%
11%
48%
43%
48%
43%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
October
2015
February
2016
July 2016
October
2016
Satisfaction with President Barack Obama's Performance
Very Satisfied Somewhat Satisfied Neutral Somewhat Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied

11. 3%
4%
4%
4%
3%
2%
4%
27%
23%
21%
25%
22%
23%
25%
27%
32%
33%
21%
15%
15%
15%
20%
20%
22%
27%
31%
25%
25%
22%
21%
21%
24%
30%
35%
32%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
October 2012
October 2013
October 2014
October 2015
February 2016
July 2016
October 2016
Satisfaction with the Kansas Legislature in General
Very Satisfied Somewhat Satisfied Neutral Somewhat Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied

12. 12%
10%
5%
6%
4%
5%
28%
25%
13%
15%
11%
14%
20%
24%
13%
10%
9%
7%
13%
14%
21%
16%
17%
12%
28%
28%
48%
53%
60%
62%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
October 2012
October 2013
October 2015
February 2016
July 2016
October 2016
Satisfaction with Governor Brownback's Performance
Very Satisfied Somewhat Satisfied Neutral Somewhat Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied

13. 47% 39% 9%
1%
4%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
If the Presidential election were held today, who would you be most
likely to vote for? *Among Likely Voters (n=892)
Donald Trump Hillary Clinton Gary Johnson Jill Stein Some Other Candidate

14. 33% 33% 15% 19%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Retain All Retain Some Retain None Don't Know
In the upcoming general election in November, six justices of the Kansas Supreme
Court will be up for retention. Do you plan to vote to retain all, some, or none of the
Kansas Supreme Court Justices up for retention? *Among Likely Voters (n=887)

16. 7%
21%
59%
62%
48%
32%
31%
26%
45%
48%
9%
13%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
The Middle Class
Small Businesses
Top Income Earners
Large Corporations
Increase Remain the Same Decrease
What is your opinion of whether taxes should increase, remain the same, or
decrease for each of the following groups?

17. 37% 28% 36%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Cut Spending Cut Spending AND Increase Taxes Increase Taxes
The State of Kansas cannot spend more money than it takes in, Kansas government is
currently experiencing problems balancing the State budget. Do you believe the
problem can be solved by either cutting spending, increasing taxes, or both?

18. 36% 26% 17% 21%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Preference for Expanding Medicaid Under the Affordable Care Act
Strongly Support Somewhat Support Somewhat Oppose Strongly Oppose

21. 26% 38% 8% 29%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
What best matches your opinion on abortion?
I am opposed to abortion in all situations. I favor abortion under certain situations.
I favor abortion under most situations. Abortion should be permitted for any woman who chooses it.

22. 14%
65%
86%
86%
96%
86%
35%
15%
14%
4%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
When the mother cannot afford to have a baby
When there is evidence that the fetus
will have serious future health problems
In instances of incest
In instances of rape
When the mother's life is in danger
In which of the following situations would you support allowing abortion?
Yes No

23. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Trustworthiness
Shares My Values
Managing the National Debt
National Security
The Economy
Ability to Lead Others
Opinion of Hillary Clinton's Abilities *Among Likely Voters
(n=892)
-5 (Highly Negative) -4 -3 -2 -1 0 (Neutral) 1 2 3 4 5 (Highly Positive)

24. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Trustworthiness
Shares My Values
National Security
Managing the National Debt
Ability to Lead Others
The Economy
Opinion of Donald Trump's Abilities *Among Likely Voters
(n=892)
-5 (Highly Negative) -4 -3 -2 -1 0 (Neutral) 1 2 3 4 5 (Highly Positive)