Study title

The Local government barometer 1998 probed citizens' opinions about the different means of improving the financial state of Finnish municipalities. The respondents were asked, for example, whether they would agree to raising the tax rate, selling public property, or laying off municipal employees. In addition, they were presented with various statements regarding municipal administration and finance, public services, and the inequality of population, and asked to either agree or disagree with these statements. The respondents were also asked how they themselves would balance the economy of their home municipality. The alternatives presented in relation to school system included staff redundancies, layoffs, and loans. The respondents were asked to estimate how big a part of municipal expenses are allocated to health care, social services, school system, and general administration. Finally, they assessed which political parties offer the best means for the general public to take part in local government. Background variables included the respondent's sex, age, basic education, vocational training, total household income, political affiliation, occupational group and economic activity, type of employment, household composition, occupational group and economic activity of the head of the household, type of neighbourhood,the municipality of residence, and the province and major region (NUTS2) of residence.