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Fiscal Reality & Revenue OptionsSenate District O Considers Options N = 705

Senator Peter Micciche ~ 283.7996 ~ alaskasenate.org/micciche

General Budget PerceptionsN = 631 ~ 3.8% Margin of Error


“Prior to discussing revenue, it would be helpful to understand how District O folks view the current budget. Which of the following choices best suit your thoughts:

1) I am unwilling to entertain the thought of new revenue because we still must dramatically cut services to reduce state spending. Chamber: 31 Web: 145

2) I appreciate the cuts since 2013, but feel there is not much more room to cut. I am willing to discuss new revenue because I do not support any additional cuts to essential services.Chamber: 64 Web: 207

3) We have already cut too far. I support adding money to the budget to return certain services that have been cut. I am personally willing to help fund these services through new taxes.Chamber: 36 Web: 148

Willing todiscuss newrevenue42.9%

No CutsSpend more29.1%

Keep cutting27.8%

Use of the Earnings ReserveN = 669 ~ 3.7% Margin of Error


“Understanding that the discussion is not about touching the corpus of the Permanent Fund, and that a dividend can still be paid first, I support the use of the Permanent Fund Earnings Reserve as the solution with the least amount of economic impact toward closing the funding gap:

1) Yes, I support the responsible use of the Earnings Reserve.ber: 118 Web: 200

2) No, I do not support use of the Earnings Reserve. Chamber: 42 Web: 309

Yes

Yes, use the EarningsReserve 65.2%

No do not use the EarningsReserve 34.8%

Pay by PFD or Income Tax?N = 636 ~ 3.8% Margin of Error


“Hypothetically, if given the choice of paying $1000 per person next year to cover part of the fiscal gap, I would prefer it came through:

1) My actual Permanent Fund Dividend Chamber: 102 Web: 233

2) A state-wide individual income tax Chamber: 55 Web: 246

From PFD 52.7%

Income Tax 47.3%

Cap the Permanent Fund Dividend?N = 687 ~ 3.7% Margin of Error


“I would support setting a cap on the Permanent Fund Dividend to allow more funding from the Earnings Reserve to be spent on the budget gap:

1) I agree. Chamber: 110 Web: 275

2) I disagree. Chamber: 62 Web: 240

Cap PFD 56%

Do not cap 44%

Focused or Diverse Revenue Source?N = 619 ~ 3.9% Margin of Error


“I understand that various permanent fund earnings reserve/tax choices can be on a sliding scale, depending upon the price of oil and the future quantity of production. If a tax/earnings reserve funding option was initiated:

1) I would want it to be adjustable from $0 to a higher number, depending upon the needs of the State that year. Chamber: 59 Web: 163

2) I would want lower cost, reasonable tax options spread throughout the various demographics that provided for necessary funding for the long term, even if the price of oil improved to cover the State’s costs in the future.

Chamber: 95 Web: 302

FocusedAdjustable36.9%Diverse

Long-termSources 64.1%

Preferred Revenue Source?N = 663 ~ 3.7% Margin of Error


“My most favored type of new revenue would be:

1) A portion of the Permanent Fund Earnings Reserve Chamber: 78 Web: 170

2) A state-wide sales tax Chamber: 62 Web: 188


IncomeTax 24.8%

Sales Tax37.4%

PFD37.7%

Sales or Income Tax?N = 651 ~ 3.8 % Margin of Error


“Leaving out the Earnings Reserve Option, I prefer:

1) A state-wide sales tax Chamber: 111 Web: 295


Sales Tax62.3%

Income Tax37.6%

Convert Permenant Fund to POMV?N = 613 ~ 3.9% Margin of Error


Total Agree52.1%

Total Disagree47.9%

“I support changing the Permanent Fund Earnings Reserve method to the endowment (or POMV) method to set a dividend and state funding share from the corpus of the fund:

1) I agree Chamber: 32 Web: 92

2) I somewhat agree Chamber: 48 Web: 148

3) I somewhat disagree Chamber: 27 Web: 58

4) I disagree Chamber: 40 Web: 168

Agree20.2%Disagree

33.9%

SomewhatDisagree13.8%

SomewhatAgree31.9%

Least Favorite Tax Type?N = 639 ~ 3.8% Margin of Error


Tourism Taxes 2.5%

Business Taxes 6.9%

Employment Head Tax 6.3%

“We know that spreading new revenue across many demographics is the key to fairly distrib-uting tax burden. Considering the possibilities, my least favorite tax would be:

1) A state-wide sales tax Chamber: 17 Web: 97 114

2) A state-wide individual income tax Chamber: 62 Web: 197 259

3) Highway tolls / higher user fees Chamber: 14 Web: 62 76

4) Employment Head Tax Chamber: 9 Web: 31 40

5) Higher Business/Corporate Taxes Chamber: 11 Web: 33 44

6) Education Head Tax Chamber: 13 Web: 77 90

7) Tourism/bed/rental car taxes Chamber: 2 Web: 14 16

Income tax40.5%

Sales tax17.8%

Education 14%

Tolls 11.8%

Favorite Tax Type?N = 653 ~ 3.8% Margin of Error


“We know that spreading new revenue across many demographics is the key to fairly distrib-uting tax burden. Considering the possibilities, my most favorite tax would be:

1) A state-wide sales tax Chamber: 70 Web: 186 256

2) A state-wide individual income tax Chamber: 16 Web: 141 157

3) Highway tolls / Higher user fees Chamber: 5 Web: 13 20

4) Employment Head Tax Chamber: 2 Web: 6 8

5) Higher Business/Corporate Taxes Chamber: 12 Web: 67 79

6) Education Head Tax Chamber: 1 Web: 14 15

7) Tourism/bed/rental car taxes Chamber: 36 Web: 82 118

Education Tax 2.2%Employment Tax 1.2%Tolls and User Fees 3%

Sales tax39.2%

Income tax24.1%

Tourism18.1%

BusinessTaxes 12.1%

Reconsider Oil Taxes?N = 629 ~ 3,9% Margin of Error


Increase Base Rate Only 5.7%

Take/Keep More: 58.9%

“Oil and gas has been the golden goose for Alaska, paying approximately 90% of the cost of state government. We know that SB21 was supported by the people of Alaska. We also know that SB21 brings in more money at the current price of oil than ACES did. However, conditions change. We should consider changing the oil and gas production tax code to:

1) Increase the minimum and/or base tax Chamber: 9 Web: 27 36

2) Reduce the available credits to oil and gas companiesChamber: 33 Web: 102 134

3) Increase the minimum/base tax and reduce credits to oil and gas companies Chamber: 48 Web: 153 201

4) The people have voted, leave the oil and gas taxes as they currently are for now Chamber: 72 Web: 213 258

IncreaseBase Tax +Cut Credits31.9%

No Change41%

Cut CreditsOnly 21.3%

Review Everyone’s Contribution?N = 667 ~ 3.7% Margin of Error


“At times like these, I support reviewing the taxes paid by all industries to consider how they can help bear additional funding burden. I agree that all industries, such as mining, fishing, tourism and oil and gas production should be evaluated to determine if they should pay higher taxes.:

1) I agree – Everyone should share the burden.Chamber: 120 Web: 388 508

2) I disagree – An Alaska that can’t compete may “scare off ” other industries that can help diversify our economy. Chamber: 37 Web: 122 159

Agree 76.1%

Disagree23.9%

Reduce Oil & Gas Credits?N = 663 ~ 3.7% Margin of Error


“I support a reduction of oil and gas credits to increase revenue to the state:

1) I agree Chamber: 67 Web: 237 304

2) I somewhat agree Chamber: 42 Web: 110 152

3) I somewhat disagree Chamber: 14 Web: 80 94

4) I disagree Chamber: 36 Web: 77 113

Disagree 17%


SomewhatAgree 22.9%

Agree45.8%

All Preserve Credits: 31.1%

All Reduce: 68.7%

Wait, I don’t want to pay!N = 657 ~ 3.7% Margin of Error


“Wait. Why all of these questions about new revenue? I don’t want to pay anything. I say, keep slashing until the budget meets revenue, even though there would be few remaining services, almost no state employees, less money for education and no funding for roads and infrastructure:




4) I disagree Chamber: 87 Web: 326 413 Disagree62.8% Somewhat

Disagree12.3%

Somewhat Agree 12.4%

Agree12.3%

Total Disagree: 75.1%

Total Agree: 24.7%

N = 675 ~ 3.7% Margin of Error


“The state departments of education and health and social services are the largest cost drivers in state government, representing nearly 2.5 billion dollars or 53% of total state spending. It is very difficult to cut even the smallest amount of funding for these agencies without substantial resistance. I say, it is time to demand the highest level of innovation and cost effectiveness in every state agency, education and health and social services are no exceptions. I am willing to say this even if it means consolidation of schools for better use of space and personnel and reduced programs for mental and behavioral health needs:





Demand Innovation & Cost Effectiveness

Disagree32.8%


SomewhatAgree 19.7%

Agree33.6%

Total Disagree: 46.5% Total Agree: 53.3%



“I understand that we are one of the least taxed states in the United States. I am willing to share the burden through reasonable taxes paying for an efficient state government in order to retain our high, quality-of-life:

1) I agree with the statement. I am willing to pay fair and reasonable taxes if they can be shown to help balance the budget at spending levels necessary to provide minimum needed state services. Chamber: 123 Web: 406 529

2) I disagree. Government/elected officials should find other ways to pay for or should eliminate most services. Chamber: 32 Web: 104 136

Disagree20.4%

Agree79.5%

I am willing to pay for Efficient Government



“If a reasonable state income tax were imposed similar to other states, I would be inclined to:

1) Move away from Alaska to the Lower 48 where it’s often warmer and life is easier. Low taxes is one reason I live here. Chamber: 31 Web: 102 133

2) Stay in Alaska. It’s my home and I am willing to invest in our future if new taxes are fair and equitable. Chamber: 122 Web: 400 522

Response to Income Tax

Move Away20.3%

Stay in Alaska79.6%



“The motor fuel tax in Alaska is the lowest in the country at 8.95 cents per gallon. I support increasing the motor fuel tax to help bridge the fiscal gap:



Motor Fuel Tax increase?

Agree52.7%

Disagree47.3%



“I support a state lottery or some form of legal gambling to help fund the fiscal gap:


2) I disagree Chamber: 80 Web: 212 292Cut 6%then tax 14.4%

Cut 12%then tax19.3%

Keepcutting18.7%

Stop cuttingtax now 49.3%

State Lottery or Gambling?

Agree52.7%

Disagree47.3%



“I support an increase in consumption (sin) taxes on alcohol, tobacco, e-cigs or marijuana to help fund the fiscal gap:



‘Sin’ Taxes?

Agree 78.6%

Disagree21.3%



“On which item do you most support a sin tax:

1) Alcohol Chamber: 21 Web: 145 166

2) Tobacco Chamber: 52 Web: 121 173

3) Marijuana Chamber: 64 Web: 204 268

4) e-cigs Chamber: 21 Web: 23 44

Marijuana 41.1%

Tobacco26.5%

Alcohol25.4%

Which ‘Sin’ to tax?

E-Cigs 6.7%

Measured Reductions + Broadbase Taxes?N = 491 ~ 4.4% Margin of Error


“Although Alaskans pay the lowest per capita state tax in the nation, we are also at the top on spending per capita. The following choice best represents my thoughts:

1) If an additional $500 Million (12%) was cut from the operating budget, I would support other revenue options such as from the Earnings Reserve, capping the PFD, and adopting one broad-based tax option such as sales tax. Web 96

2) If an additional $250 Million (6%) was cut from the operating budget, I would support other revenue options such as from the Earnings Reserve, capping the PFD, and adopting one broad-based tax option such as sales tax. Web 69

3) I feel we have cut enough. I support other revenue options such as from the Earnings Reserve, capping the PFD, and adopting one broad-based tax option such as sales tax.

4) Keep cutting. I am willing to live in an Alaska with far less services than those available today. Even though meeting the current gap by cutting would essentially eliminate all peripheral services and would significantly reduce the funding for core constitutionally-required services, I do not support any new revenue options. #3 web 236 #4web 90

Cut 6%then tax 14.1%

Cut 12%then tax19.6%

Keepcutting18.3%

Stop cuttingtax now 48%

All Cuts 52%

1) Web responses required full name and email address for in-district verification2) Sample dates: September 25, 2015 - October 9, 2015


Notes

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