Some of the more interesting results in this years Community Survey by the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance were related to paid parking, quality of education, support for $15 minimum wage, legalized prostitution, bump stock ban, creation of cannabis lounges, and number of police officers in the valley.
The Community Survey was taken as part of the 2018 Las Vegas Perspective.
The yearly publication contains newcomer and resident profiles, owner and renter profiles, population and household summary by zip codes, climate, cost of living, transportation, attractions, recreation, education, healthcare, economic development, new and expanded companies, business assistance programs, employment forecast, lists of largest employers, housing forecast, retail sales, a tourism overview and much more.
The web-based survey was commissioned by the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance and was conducted between Feb. 27 and March 7, 2018. Respondents were selected from the current Clark County workforce.
Almost 37 percent of the respondents said they avoid parking at Strip casinos that charge for parking and 29 percent of those said they avoid using any services from a Strip casino that charges for parking. Only 6.8 percent said that being charged for parking does not affect whether or not they visit a casino.
45.6 percent of those surveyed say that professional sports in Las Vegas have made them feel more pride in Las Vegas. However, 25.5 percent said that they avoid attending sporting events on the Las Vegas Strip, which is where the Vegas Golden Knights play.
Compared to last year, 38.8 percent of the respondents believe that Nevada's economy is "somewhat better" than last year. 35 percent believe it will be about the same next year and slightly less than 35 percent believe it will be somewhat better next year.
More than 70 percent of the respondents support increasing minimum wage in Nevada and 48 percent believe that the minimum wage should be raised from $8.25 per hour to $15 per hour.
44.3 percent said the teachers in Clark County are "average." Only 6 percent classified teachers as excellent and 9.8 percent selected "extremely bad." 34.9 percent rated the quality of education as "poor" in Clark County.
Not surprisingly, 87 percent said that bump stocks should be banned or limited in some way. Stephen Paddock, who killed 58 people and injured several hundred more during a country music festival in October 2017, used bump stocks on his guns. Less than 7 percent believed a ban would be unconstitutional.
For those that had an opinion about legalized prostitution, it was pretty evenly split. 38.2 percent said they have a favorable opinion of prostitution and 38.6 said they have an unfavorable.
Almost 33 percent believe that Nevada should regulate and license cannabis lounges, allowing for the creation of as many lounges as the market can support. 33.33 percent agreed they should be allowed but thought the number should be limited.
44 percent of those surveyed say there is a need for more police officers in the valley. 16.3 percent thinks that is a "significant" number of officers. 28.3 percent says we have enough cops to keep our community safe.
Not surprisingly, more than 60 percent of responders say they do ZERO hours of charitable work each week. 32.3 percent spend at least 1 to 3 hours though helping others and 2.6 percent spend more than 5 hours a week.
Of the 500 people surveyed, 24.6 percent described themselves as politically conservative and 36 percent picked moderate. Respondents were split pretty evenly between married and never marries and most were between the ages of 25 and 44. In addition, almost 60 percent had some college or a bachelor's degree and 48 percent make between $25K and $75K per year.
NOTE: KTNV-TV Channel 13 is a Perspective council member.
