Measuring citizen preferences for public services using surveys Does a "gray peril" threaten funding for public education?

• Published in: Public budgeting & finance Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 45 - 72
• Main Authors: Duncombe, William, Robbins, Mark, Stonecash, Jeffrey
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing 01.04.2003; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Age; Alter Mensch; Bildungswesen; Budgets; Citizens; Education; Elderly; Election results; Financial Support; Finanzierung; Funding; Grass roots movement; Local elections; Meinung; New York; Older people; Participation; Political behavior; Population; Preferences; Presidential elections; Property Tax; Property taxes; Property values; Public Schools; Public Services; School boards; School districts; Staatliche Dienstleistung; Statistical analysis; Studies; Tax exemptions; Tax increases; USA; Valuation; Voter behavior; Voters; Voting; Voting Behavior; United States > US
• ISSN: 0275-1100; 1540-5850
• DOI: 10.1111/1540-5850.2301003

Given the rising share of senior citizens and their higher voter participation rates, seniors could represent a sizeable bloc of voters in many local elections. Concerns have been raised about a “gray peril,” where seniors vote against some local services, such as education. Preferences for education are examined using a contingent valuation survey method in the context of local school budget referenda. The results suggest for this district that elders are a heterogeneous group, and that block voting against schools is unlikely. The impact of age on preferences appears more likely to emerge in how these groups respond to changes in their economic circumstances.