Press Release: Survey Says Northeast Anchorage and Eagle River Residents Support Smaller Government

News from the Senate Majority
Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

Survey Says ... Northeast Anchorage and Eagle River Residents Support Smaller Government

For Immediate Release: February 26, 1998 Contact: Senator Randy Phillips, at (907) 465-4949 .

Juneau – Senator Randy Phillips (R-Eagle River) released results from his 22^nd annual legislative questionnaire revealing strong support among Northeast Anchorage/Eagle River Residents for the Republican-led Majority’s Five Year Plan, private prisons, addressing Alaska’s deferred maintenance, and protecting the Permanent Fund.

"My annual survey is an invaluable tool. It provides me a good way to stay in touch with the opinions and concerns of my constituents." Senator Phillips said. " I look to the survey results whenever I make decisions in Juneau on their behalf."

Phillips said results from this year’s survey are consistent with previous years. Many of the State’s largest issues were addressed including the, deferred maintenance, subsistence, and the governor’s educational proposals.

"Eighty-two percent of my constituents who responded said they favor the Legislature’s Five Year Plan to close the state’s fiscal gap," said Phillips. "They made it clear, however, that they want the gap closed through budget reductions and not through new taxes or using the excess earnings from the state’s Permanent Fund."

In addition to reducing state spending, the most frequently mentioned issues were subsistence, education, and deferred maintenance.

With an 11 percent response, Phillips says his survey provides an accurate way to measure the pulse of his constituents. Approximately 810 out of 7,500 surveys were returned.

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Broadcast Note: Radio cuts are available from Senator Randy Phillips by calling 800/478-6540.
= Randy Phillips, 194 K

Survey Results

(Please note that the percentage shown for each answer represents a percent of the total answering that particular question and not a percent of the total questionnaires returned.)

Subsistence: 54% oppose a Constitutional Amendment guaranteeing rural residents a preference priority over other state residents in the subsistence harvest of fish and game.

Indian Country: 73% would have favored U.S. Congressional action to eliminate "Indian Country" in Alaska if the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled in favor of Native tribal sovereign status in Alaska.

Public-Private Prisons: 68% favor the privatization of prison facilities in Alaska.

Legislature’s Budget Plan: 82% favor the Legislature’s Five Year Plan to close the fiscal gap.

Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund (CBR): 55% oppose using the CBRF to balance the state budget until the CBRF is depleted.

Governor’s Budget Proposal:

18% favor the Governor’s proposed budget increases for fiscal year 1999.
28% favor funding the proposed "Quality Schools Initiative" and "Smart Start" programs within the Legislature’s proposed budget plan.
54% oppose new programs in state government, including the "Quality Schools Initiative" and "Smart Start".

Permanent Fund: 68% oppose using the excess earnings from the Permanent Fund, after payment of dividends and inflation proofing, to help close the fiscal gap.

Education Endowment: 61% oppose the creation of an education endowment from excess Permanent Fund earnings.

Deferred Maintenance: 68% favor setting aside up to $1.5 billion from the CBRF to collaterize bonds to pay for deferred maintenance of Alaska’s current infrastructure and capital construction.

For a complete copy of survey results please call Senator Phillips at 907/465-4949.