(SitNews) Anchorage, Alaska - In a comprehensive statewide survey conducted March 25 – April 2, Alaska Survey Research finds the Alaska voting public split on the topic of Governor Mike Dunleavy’s proposed budget. While somewhat more voters favor the Governor’s budget than oppose it, more Alaska voters think the budget, if enacted, will harm the economy and make Alaskans less secure, and a strong majority are of the opinion that jobs will be lost as a result of it.

The survey was conducted with a random sample of 739 registered voter respondents statewide, with a margin of error of 3.6% at 95% confidence. Respondents were distributed throughout all the municipalities, boroughs and census areas of the state, proportionate to adult population. Data was weighted to ensure an appropriate distribution by respondent gender, ethnicity, age and party affiliation.

Questions were asked as follows:

About six weeks ago, Governor Mike Dunleavy released his proposed 2019 budget for the State of Alaska. Do you recall hearing this news?

Yes – 88% No–12%

For the last few years, largely due to low oil prices, Alaska has had a fiscal gap, where revenues to the state from oil production and other income was not sufficient to cover state government expenditures. The last three years, the gap was filled and the budget balanced by drawing from savings accounts like the Constitutional Budget Reserve, and by reducing Permanent Fund Dividends. This year, Governor Dunleavy has proposed a budget that closes the gap by cutting state expenditures by 1.6 billion dollars, bringing spending down to match anticipated revenue without any draw on savings, without any new or increased taxes, and including paying a full dividend. Do you strongly support, mildly support, mildly oppose or strongly oppose Governor Dunleavy’s budget proposal?

Strongly support – 28%
Mildly support – 21%
Neutral – 3%
Mildly oppose – 14%
Strongly oppose – 32% Not sure – 2%

Do you think Governor Dunleavy’s budget, if enacted, will make the Alaska economy stronger or weaker?

Stronger – 42%
Weaker – 49%
No difference (Vol) – 3% Not sure – 7%

Do you think Governor Dunleavy’s budget, if enacted, will result in a net increase or decrease in Alaska jobs?

Increase – 31% Decrease – 58%
No difference (Vol) – 4% Not sure – 7%

Do you think Governor Dunleavy’s budget, if enacted, will provide Alaskans with more or less financial security?

More secure – 43%
Less secure – 50%
No difference (Vol) – 3% Not sure – 5%

Demographics:

Male 52%
Female 48%

18-34 28%
35-54 36%
55+ 37%

Democrat 16%
Republican 29%
Other party 10%
No party 45%

White 72%
Non-white 28%

Anchorage 41%
MatSu 15%
Fairbanks 12%
Kenai Peninsula 9%
Juneau 5%
Rest of state 19%

Source of News:

Alaska Survey Research
A long-time professional survey service based in Anchorage

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