PRESS RELEASE
April 16,
16, 2019 - Anchorage,
nchorage, AK 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%

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 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
Female

52%
48%

18-34
35-54
55+

28%
36%
37%

Democrat
Republican
Other party
No party

16%
29%
10%
45%

White
Non-white

72%
28%

Anchorage
MatSu
Fairbanks
Kenai Peninsula
Juneau
Rest of state

41%
15%
12%
9%
5%
19%

Call Ivan Moore at 907-278-4600 with any questions concerning these results.

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