Thanks to all those who completed and returned a survey. Your input is very important as it is my duty to represent you, my constituents. Below, you will find each survey question with the results in bold. The following results are based on all of the surveys received (280 surveys).
Question 1:
It is estimated that the state budget will be short approximately $800 million in 2010. Please rank the following options for filing that gap from 1 to 5, with 1 being your most preferred option.
Answers in order of average ranking:
- Increase taxes and/or fees (2.68)
- Combination of spending cuts and tax/fee increases (1.88)
- Use Rainy Day Funds (1.83)
- Cut spending (1.53)
- Other (1.03)
Question 2:
Answers in order of average ranking:
- Public Education (4.37)
- Public Safety/Corrections (3.87)
- Healthcare (3.79)
- Higher Education (2.92)
- Transportation (2.56)
- Rainy Day Funds (2.43)
- 3% cuts all across all departments (2.24)
- Other (1.58)
Question 3:
In an effort to make up for a decrease in revenue, various tax increases have been proposed. What do you think should happen in the following areas:
Answers in order of importance:
Sales Tax on food
- Stay the same (52%) – Decrease (23%) – Increase (19%)
Tobacco Tax
- Increase (75%) – Stay the same (16%) – Decrease (6%)
Income Tax
- Stay the same (63%) – Decrease (19%) – Increase (10%)
User Fees
- Increase (46%) – Stay the same (36%) – Decrease (12%)
Question 4:
In 2009 the legislature banned gifts over $50 and required disclosure on gifts over $10; prevented legislators from becoming lobbyists within one year of resigning from the legislature, etc. Would you support or oppose the following additional measures:
Answers in order of importance:
An independent ethics panel to address legislative ethics complaints
- Support (72%) – Oppose (14%) – Undecided (11%)
Campaign contribution limits
- Support (84%) – Oppose (10%) – Undecided (5%)
Disclosure on gifts of any value
- Support (82%) – Oppose (10%) – Undecided (8%)
Question 5:
A series of bills dealing with civil rights based on sexual orientation has been proposed. Do you support or oppose the following:
Answers in order of importance:
Creating housing rights based on sexual orientation
- Oppose (44%) – Support (34%) – Undecided (15%)
Prohibiting job termination based on sexual orientation
- Support (60%) – Oppose (26%) – Undecided (10%)
Question 6:
Ways to improve motor vehicle safety are being considered in this legislative session. Which of the following do you support?
Answers in order of importance:
A ban on cell phones
- Support (65%) – Oppose (23%) – Undecided (9%)
Limiting cell phone use to hands free devices while driving
- Support (55%) – Oppose (26%) – Undecided (11%)
A ban on cell phone use while driving for those under 18
- Support (83%) – Oppose (6%) – Undecided (3%)
Question 7:
Due to the economic downturn, the Utah Retirement System is under serious financial distress and lost $6.5 billion (over 30%) in 2008. Please mark the types of state employee pension reforms you support.
Answers in order of importance:
- Eliminate double dipping by state employees (77%)
- Increase the minimum retirement age for state employees (50%)
- Require state employees to contribute more (49%)
- Do nothing, and have the State pay $400 million a year for the next 25 years to cover the gap(10%)
Question 8:
The legislature has saved $419 million and placed it in a “Rainy Day Fund.” How would you like to see those savings distributed?
Answers refer to average percent:
- (35%) should be spent this year
- (64%) should be saved for the future years
Question 9:
Should state agencies be prohibited from implementing any new unfunded federal healthcare mandates?
Answers in order of importance:
- Yes (58%) – Undecided (23%) – No (16%)
*Results based on surveys received from 280 constituents.*