With elections for governor and legislature pending in the fall, Alabamians are united in support for public investment in education and healthcare, divided on how to raise money for new investments, and express a preference for local leadership and decision-making. That is according to PARCA’s annual public opinion survey.
The poll of over 400 Alabama residents was conducted by Dr. Randolph Horn, Samford University, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Research and Professor of Political Science.
Results from this year’s survey are consistent with previous years’ results in some important ways.
- Alabamians continue to rank education as the most important state government activity.
- Large majorities of Alabamians say the state spends too little on education and healthcare.
- Alabamians have an aversion to taxes but say upper-income residents pay too little.
- A slim majority say budget surpluses should be reinvested in state services, specifically education, rather than used to cut taxes.
- If budget surpluses are used to cut taxes, the most popular tax cut is the sales tax on groceries.
- Alabamians are willing to pay more taxes to support education but do not agree on which taxes should be increased.
- Alabamians are essentially split on tax-funded vouchers to pay for private school tuition. However, a majority believe vouchers, if allowed, should be available to all students.
- Alabamians continue to believe that they have no say in state government and that government officials in Montgomery do not care about their opinions.
Results of the survey indicate many opportunities for officials to demonstrate responsiveness to public concerns and leadership in crafting public policy solutions.