Juneau -- Residents of Northeast Anchorage, Ft. Richardson and Eagle River prefer to tap into portions of the "Excess Earnings" of the Permanent Fund rather than pay taxes, according to findings of a legislative survey conducted by Senator Randy Phillips, (R-Eagle River). Constituents support Republican Majority's five-year budget reduction plan, strongly favor repairing current roads over building new ones, and favor selling the Mat-Maid creamery.

"My survey is a valuable tool," said Sen. Phillips who has conducted the annual survey for 23 years. "It is especially valuable this year when Alaskans face so many major financial decisions. This year's fiscal gap and how to fund State government in the future are among the major decisions we're looking at today."

Phillips' constituents appear willing to start using the "Excess Earnings" of the Permanent Fund to meet the State's commitments, but also want to see budget cuts. "It appears they would prefer a multi-pronged budget plan that combines cutting back government and using the "Excess Earnings" of the Permanent Fund," said Phillips. "Eighty-four percent of respondents support the Republican Majority's five-year reduction plan, 62.5 percent favor using the Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund to help close the budget gap, while 54 percent favor using the "Excess Earnings" of the Permanent Fund to close the gap."

"One thing my survey shows is that my constituents strongly oppose taxing to balance the budget," said Sen. Phillips. "Taxes was the number one subject that came up under the comments section of the survey. My constituents are very concerned about the effects that taxes will have on them."

Other frequently mentioned issues include the budget, the Permanent Fund, and subsistence.

Respondents were evenly split on a subsistence preference priority for rural residents: 50.7 percent oppose a Constitutional Amendment guaranteeing a rural preference, compared to 49.3 percent who support such an amendment.

Of 9,051 questionnaires mailed, 851 or 9 percent, were completed and returned.

Following are the 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: 50.7% oppose a Constitutional Amendment guaranteeing "Rural" residents a preference priority over "Other" state residents in the subsistence harvest of fish and game.

Motor Fuel Tax: 52.5% favor the Governor's proposal to increase the State's motor fuel tax from 8 cents/gallon to 17 cents/gallon.

Roads: 86.9% say repair/construction of existing highways and roads should have priority over extending or building new highways and roads.

Capital Punishment: 63.4% favor the death penalty for the crime of murder in the first degree.

Legislature's Budget Plan: 84% favor the Legislature's five-year budget plan to reduce State spending.

Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund (CBRF): 62.5% approve of using the CBRF to help close the fiscal gap until the CBRF is depleted.

Permanent Fund: 54% favor using "Excess Earnings" of the Permanent Fund, after paying Dividends and Inflation Proofing, to help close the fiscal gap.

Closing the Fiscal Gap: Q: Do you believe that any fiscal gap should be closed by:

Reduce Budget Only: 23%
Increase Taxes Only: 1%
Spend CBRF Only: 2%
Spend Excess PF Earnings Only: 1%
Spend Excess PF Earnings and CBRF Fund: 11%
Reduce Budget & Increase Taxes: 9%
Reduce Budget & Spend CBRF Fund: 30%
Reduce Budget & Spend Excess PF Earnings: 15%
Increase Taxes & Spend Excess PF Earnings: 5%
Increase Taxes and Spend CBRF Fund: 3%

Alaska Science & Technology Foundation (ASTF): 68% oppose abolishing ASTF and using its $100 million endowment to balance the State budget. 67% voted to use those funds only for ASTF grants.

Matanuska Maid (Mat Maid): 88% favor selling Mat Maid to a private entity.

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