ST. PAUL – Rep. Paul Anderson, R-Starbuck, has released the results of an online survey he conducted in order to receive input from local citizens on key issues.
Anderson said the overarching message is respondents indicate the economy is recovering and want the Legislature to focus on taxpayer protection, efficiency in government and adherence to constitutional values.
In fact, 60 percent of survey respondents say the economy is improving and 76 percent do not favor raising taxes to balance the state budget. Furthermore, 58 percent support traditional marriage over civil unions (22 percent) and same-sex marriage (20 percent). Survey participants also strongly back Second Amendment rights, with 75 percent saying they do not support additional gun-control measures.
“It was quite interesting to go over the results of my survey,” Anderson said. “Beyond answers to the questions, people provided me with great personal feedback in the comment section. The input I received will be of great help as we face important decisions on final passage of bills down the stretch this session.”
A top spending priority, 76 percent of respondents say, should be to eliminate the $801 million in delayed payments the state owes to school districts.
The nine-question survey also addressed some other issues currently up for discussion in St. Paul. The most one-sided response pertains to a proposal that would unionize private day care providers and personal care attendants. An overwhelming 92 percent do not support this initiative.
A 78-percent majority says they do not endorse a bill that would bring new energy mandates to Minnesota. Measures in the bill would require greater solar implementation, along with a stipulation to derive 40 percent of our state’s energy from renewable sources by 2030.
One proposal the Legislature approved and Gov. Mark Dayton enacted establishes a Health Insurance Exchange. It includes a tax of up to 3.5 percent on health insurance premiums to fund its operations in compliance with the Affordable Care Act. Four out of five respondents do not support the new exchange and a like number also do not think it will eventually lower the cost of health insurance.
“I want to thank the hundreds of people who took the time to participate in this survey,” Anderson said. “It will be really helpful as I continue doing my best to represent the people of our district.”
Complete survey results can be found at www.house.mn/12b.
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