ORANGE COUNTY VOTERS STRONGLY OPPOSE TOLL ROAD THROUGH STATE PARK

Orange County Toll Road Agency’s Ill-Fated Proposal Dealt Another Blow

LOS ANGELES – A bipartisan team of pollsters, Dr. Jan van Lohuizen  (Voter/Consumer Research) and David Binder (David Binder Research), today released findings from an Orange County public opinion survey regarding the proposed Foothill South toll road through San Onofre State Beach.  The survey research’s central finding is that a large majority of Orange County voters surveyed opposes a toll road through the state park.  The survey also found a similar result even among voters who are supportive of toll roads generally.  The survey further indicated that the more voters learn about the implications of the proposed Foothill South Toll road and the negative impact it would have on San Onofre State Beach, the more strongly they oppose it.

            “The survey indicated that while a majority of Orange County voters support toll roads in general (53%), a large majority (70%) oppose a toll road through a state park and more than half of all surveyed (52%) strongly oppose toll roads through a state park,” stated Jan van Lohuizen.  “This survey clearly indicates that as the public learns more about the Transportation Corridor Agency’s plan to build the Foothill South Toll Road through a state park, overwhelming opposition to the proposed route develops and voters want an alternative solution.”

            “This survey’s findings are clear and compelling, and should send a chilling message to the Transportation Corridor Agency,” stated Elizabeth Goldstein, president of the California State Parks Foundation, which commissioned the poll.  “San Onofre State Beach is a true treasure that must not be destroyed by a toll road.  The public does not want a state park to be taken from them.  The TCA needs to find a more suitable route – one that does not put a six-lane super-highway through a state park.”

Other relevant survey research findings include:

• 58% of Orange County voters are aware of plans to build a toll road to connect the 241 with I-5 just south of San Clemente (Q02). 
• When asked about the proposed toll road and with no information provided, 52% of voters support it (Q3).
• When provided with a brief description of the toll road and its cost, 51% of voters support the toll road (Q6). 
• When informed that the new toll road would go through the state park at San Onofre State Beach and would come close to Trestles Beach, support for the toll road drops precipitously – 28% supporting or strongly supporting and 66% opposing or strongly opposing (Q7).

“As voters learn about the Transportation Corridor Agency’s plans for a toll road through San Onofre State Beach, opposition to the toll road among all voting groups, including both Republicans and Democrats, remains strong,” added David Binder.

The survey, commissioned by the California State Parks Foundation, was conducted between September 13 and September 20, 2007.  In total, 400 Orange County voters were interviewed.  The survey has a margin of error of 4.5%.

About Voter/Consumer Research

Voter/Consumer Research was founded in 1991 by Dr. Jan van Lohuizen and is headquartered in Washington, D.C.  Having earned his Ph.D. in Political Science from Rice University in 1978, Dr. van Lohuizen’s area of expertise is in public policy and elections research.  He has conducted opinion research for hundreds of political campaigns since then, culminating with his selection as one of two consultants overseeing the Bush Campaign’s polling in 2000.  Following the 2000 election, Voter/Consumer research has managed all polling for the White House and the Republican National Committee during President Bush’s term, and provided research and strategy for Bush Cheney 2004.  California clients include Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, the California Teachers Association and the California Chamber of Commerce.

About David Binder Research

David Binder Research has been a source of innovative research for 25 years. DBR provides high-quality polling, focus group and media research services to clients throughout California, the West Coast and the United States. Our clients include a wide range of political, government, media and private sector organizations who need more than just raw numbers and written reports. We develop a customized research strategy for each project using unique, often proprietary methodologies based on traditional research techniques. We provide clear insights to the data and work as a strategic partner to help implement action.

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Editor’s Note:  To receive a copy of the Orange County survey research questionnaire with results, or to interview Jan van Lohuizen, David Binder or Elizabeth Goldstein, contact Matt Klink at (310) 283-6267 or Liz Saldivar at (323) 466-3445.