Alabama First - Survey - Legislative Issues

MEMORANDUM
TO: DON WALLACE – CHAIRMAN, ALABAMA FIRST

FROM: DAVID FERGUSON – FERGUSON & ASSOCIATES
CC: PAUL GLASS – FERGUSON & ASSOCIATES
SUBJECT: ALABAMA FIRST – LEGISLATIVE ISSUE SURVEY
DATE: MARCH 11, 2019
The Alabama First Committee fielded a legislative issue survey on Saturday, March
9th and Sunday, March 10th of 2019. Ferguson & Associates charted results from 608
LIKELY VOTERS from across Alabama. The Margin of Error is approximately 4%
with a Confidence Level of 95%. Approximately 35% (212) of respondents were on
cellular devices and the other 65% (396) of respondents were on landline telephones.
The survey was statistically balanced to accurately reflect demographic, socio-

economic, and political trends within the state.
The respondents were asked about their sentiments toward Governor Kay Ivey, the
Alabama State House, and the Alabama State Senate in Montgomery along with the
issues that we anticipate will be decided during the current Special Session and
Regular Session later this year.
KEY FINDINGS
Alabamians have very strong opinions regarding current policy proposals in front of
the Legislature. Ferguson & Associates surveyed individuals on the “Rebuild
Alabama” program, including an increase in gasoline and other fuel taxes, and other
issues before the Legislature.
Our analysis of the results shows the following:
• Alabamians were asked about the general quality of roads across Alabama as
well as the quality of roads and bridges in their community. Respondents feel
slightly better about the quality roads and bridges across the state (Average
Rate of 2.73) versus the roads and bridges in their community (Average
Rating of 2.60)
• 78.45% of Alabamians think the State of Alabama should spend more money
to improve roads, bridges, and other infrastructure needs.
• Since 2010, the Alabama Legislature has removed over $325 million from the
Alabama Public Road and Bridge Fund, the general operating fund for the
Alabama Department of Transportation, to pay for non-infrastructure related
expenses. 85.69% of Alabamians think that money SHOULD BE recuperated
before raising gasoline and other fuel taxes.
• In 1985, the voters of Alabama approved the creation of the Alabama Trust
Fund to capture future revenues from the sale of offshore drilling rights and
royalties on the resulting natural gas production. The Alabama Trust Fund
currently has over $3.2 billion in market value investments. 82.07% of
Alabamians believe Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Legislature should
use money from the Alabama Trust Fund accounts to pay for improvements to
state roads, bridges, and other infrastructure needs rather than increasing
current gasoline and other fuel taxes.
• As a part of Governor Ivey’s “Rebuild Alabama” proposal, the state House of

Representatives voted to increase gasoline taxes from 18¢ per gallon to 28¢
cents per gallon, as well as other fuel taxes by over ten cents per gallon over
the next three years and extra fees for electric vehicles and hybrid plug-in
vehicles. This tax and fee increase is expected to generate $300 million three
per year when it is fully implemented. 85.20% of Alabamians oppose the vote
of the Alabama House of Representatives to increase taxes on gasoline and
other fuel.
• Governor Ivey’s “Rebuild Alabama” plan, the Alabama House of

Representatives passed a method of taxation called “indexing.” Gasoline and
other fuel taxes would automatically go up or down every year, based on the
average national cost of infrastructure construction. 83.06% of Alabamians
oppose the automatic indexing of future gasoline and other fuel taxes.
• 79.61% of Alabamians think there is waste at the Alabama Department of

Transportation and 84.21% support a full management audit, including hiring
and promotion procedures, before the Alabama Legislature implements an
increase in gasoline and other fuel taxes. 83.39% support an independent
oversight committee for the Alabama Department of Transportation.
• 71.22% of Alabamians believe Governor Ivey purposefully concealed her

intentions to raise gasoline and other fuel taxes.
• The Alabama Education Trust Fund is the largest operating fund in the entire
state. It includes monies for kindergarten through twelfth grade education,
Alabama’s two and four-year colleges and universities. It also includes funding
for public library services, performing and fine arts, disease counseling, and
youth development. 76.48% of Alabamians support spending more money for
the Education Trust Fund.
• In Alabama, the Education Trust Fund is financed by individual and
corporate income taxes, sales taxes, utility taxes, and use taxes. 80.10%
oppose higher taxes to pay for the Education Trust Fund.
• Property tax rates in Alabama have not been changed since 1979 and The Tax
Foundation ranks Alabama’s property taxes as the lowest in the country.
76.80% are opposed to raising property taxes to benefit universal pre-
kindergarten programs in the State of Alabama.
• 64.80% of Alabamians support the establishment of lottery to benefit the

Education Trust Fund within the State of Alabama.
• Gambling, including forms of electronic bingo, are currently illegal in

Alabama. 68.59% of Alabamians support the ability for charitable, electronic
bingo establishments to exist within the State of Alabama. 77.63% of
Alabamians support state licensing, registration, and oversight for charitable,
electronic bingo establishments within the State of Alabama.
• Medicaid is a federally funded program administered by the states. Medicaid

jointly-funds medical expenses to assist low-income adults, children, elderly
adults, and people with disabilities. 67.27% of Alabamians support a move by
the Alabama Legislature to expand access to Medicaid.
MEDIA MARKET BREAKDOWN
BIRMINGHAM 251 41.28%

HUNTSVILLE-DECATUR (FLOR) 132 21.71%
MOBILE-PENSACOLA (FT WALT) 103 16.94%
MONTGOMERY-SELMA 59 9.70%
COLUMBUS GA (OPELIKA AL) 33 5.43%
DOTHAN 26 4.28%
ATLANTA 4 0.66%
SCRIPT AND RESULTS
Good AFTERNOON / EVENING, may I please speak with Mr. / Mrs. (PROMPT),
My name is (PROMPT) with FERGUSON & ASSOCIATES, and we are contacting

registered voters in ALABAMA.
I. Would you be willing to take a short survey about the Governor of

Alabama, the Alabama State House, and the Alabama State Senate in
Montgomery along with the issues they are deciding this year?
a) YES (If YES, press 1 and continue survey)
1. NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS – 608
2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 100%
b) NO (If NO, press 2 and conclude survey)
PROMPT – QUESTION #2 IS FOR MANUALLY DIALED, CELL PHONE
NUMBERS. IF RESPONDENT IS NOT A CELL PHONE CALL, THEN
IMMEDIATELY SKIP TO QUESTION #3.
II. For your safety, at the present moment, are you driving or operating an
automobile, heavy equipment, or machinery?
a. (If YES, PRESS 1 and CONCLUDE SURVEY. Inform individual that

we will attempt to call them back another time.)
b. (If NO, PRESS 2 and CONTINUE SURVEY.)

III. Are you, or is anyone in your household, employed by a newspaper,
television station, radio station, an advertising agency, or a political
campaign?
a) YES (THANK RESPONDENT AND CONCLUDE SURVEY)
b) NO (CONTINUE SURVEY)

IV. Do you consider yourself to be VERY CONSERVATIVE, CONSERVATIVE,
MODERATE, LIBERAL, VERY LIBERAL, INDEPENDENT or PREFER
NOT TO ANSWER? (RANDOMIZE SORT)
a) VERY CONSERVATIVE
2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 18.91%
b) CONSERVATIVE
c) MODERATE
d) LIBERAL
e) VERY LIBERAL
f) INDEPENDENT
g) PREFER NOT TO ANSWER

V. Did you vote in the 2018 General Election?
a) YES
b) NO
c) PREFER NOT TO ANSWER / DOES NOT REMEMBER

VI. Did you vote in the 2018 Primary Election?
a) YES
b) NO

VII. Did you vote in the 2016 General Election?
a) YES
b) NO

VIII. Did you vote in the 2016 Primary Election?
a) YES
b) NO

IX. If a PRIMARY ELECTION WERE HELD TOMORROW, would you vote in
the Republican Party election, the Democratic Party election, another
Party’s election, or PREFER NOT TO ANSWER?
a. DEMOCRATIC PARTY
b. REPUBLICAN PARTY
c. OTHER PARTY
d. REFUSED / PREFER NOT TO ANSWER

PROMPT: THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS WILL BE USED TO ENSURE
ACCURATE STATISTICS:
X. Are you male, female, or prefer not to answer?
a) MALE
b) FEMALE
c) PREFER NOT TO ANSWER

XI. In what year were you born?
a) YEAR
b) PREFER NOT TO ANSWER
AGE RANGES:
a 18-24
(i) NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS – 9
(ii) PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 1.48%
b 25-29
c 30-34
d 35-39
e 40-44
f 45-49

g 50-54
h 55-59
i 60-64
j 65-69
k 70-74
l 75-79
m 80+
(2) PREFER NOT TO ANSWER

XII. Which of the following choices best describes your race or ethnicity?
a. AMERICAN INDIAN OR NATIVE AMERICAN
b. ASIAN AMERICAN OR PACIFIC ISLANDER
c. BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN
d. HISPANIC AMERICAN OR LATINO
e. MIDDLE EASTERN OR NORTH AFRICAN
f. WHITE OR CAUCASIAN

g. MIXED ETHNICITY
h. PREFER NOT TO ANSWER

XIII. What is the approximate range of your household income?
a) Under $25,000
b) $25,000 TO $50,000
c) $50,000 TO $75,000
d) $75,000 to $100,000
e) Over $100,000
f) DOES NOT KNOW / PREFER NOT TO ANSWER

PROMPT: THANK YOU, Mr. or Mrs. (PROMPT <Last Name>) FOR THE NEXT
FEW MINUTESYOU WILL BE ASKED TO ASSIGN A RATING TO A SERIES OF
QUESTIONS.
XIV. On a RATING of ONE TO FIVE, ONE being the WORST possible rating
and FIVE being the BEST possible rating, how do you rate the overall
condition of the roads and bridges ACROSS ALABAMA?
a) ONE
b) TWO
c) THREE
d) FOUR
e) FIVE
f) PREFER NOT TO ANSWER

PROMPT: FOR THE NEXT FEW MINUTES, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO ASSIGN A
RATING FOR ANSWERS TO A SERIES OF QUESTIONS:
XV. On a RATING of ONE TO FIVE, ONE being the WORST possible rating
and FIVE being the BEST possible rating, how do you rate the overall
condition of the roads and bridges IN YOUR COMMUNITY?
a) ONE
b) TWO
c) THREE
d) FOUR
e) FIVE
f) PREFER NOT TO ANSWER

PROMPT: FOR THE NEXT FEW MINUTES, YOU WILL BE ASKED YOUR
OPINION REGARDING A VARIETY OF ISSUES FACING ALABAMA:
XVI. BY ANSWERING YES OR NO, do you think that the State of Alabama
should spend more money to improve roads, bridges, and other
infrastructure needs?
a. YES
b. NO
c. PREFER NOT TO ANSWER

The Alabama Road and Bridge Fund is the general operating fund for the
Alabama Department of Transportation. The fund receives all state revenues for
that Department, including, but not limited to, all federal aid reimbursements,
and all miscellaneous receipts.
In the year two-thousand and eighteen, according to the Alabama Department of

Revenue, the Alabama Road and Bridge Fund collected nearly six hundred and
fifty million dollars in revenue from gasoline, diesel, and other fuel taxes and
fees.
Since 2010, the Alabama Legislature has removed over three hundred and
twenty-five million dollars from the Alabama Public Road and Bridge Fund to
pay for non-infrastructure related expenses.
XVII. BY ANSWERING YES OR NO, do you believe monies removed from the
Alabama Public Road and Bridge Fund should be recuperated before
raising gasoline and other fuel taxes?
a. YES
b. NO

In 1985, the voters of Alabama approved the creation of the Alabama Trust Fund to
capture future revenues from the sale of offshore drilling rights and royalties on the
resulting natural gas production. The Alabama Trust Fund currently has over three
point two billion dollars in market value investments.
XVIII. BY ANSWERING YES OR NO, do you think Governor Kay Ivey and the
Alabama Legislature should use some of the over three point two billion
dollars in the Alabama Trust Fund accounts to pay for improvements to
state roads, bridges, and other infrastructure needs rather than increasing
current gasoline and other fuel taxes?
a. YES
b. NO

This past week Governor Ivey convened a Special Session of the Alabama
Legislature to debate her “Rebuild Alabama” infrastructure plan. As a part of her
proposal, the state House of Representatives voted to increase gasoline taxes from
eighteen cents per gallon to twenty-eight cents per gallon, as well as other fuel taxes
by over ten cents per gallon over the next three years and extra fees for electric
vehicles and hybrid plug-in vehicles.
This tax and fee increase is expected to generate three hundred million dollars per
year when it is fully implemented.
XIX. BY ANSWERING YES OR NO, do you support the vote of the Alabama
House of Representatives to increase gasoline and other fuel taxes?
a. YES
b. NO

In Governor Ivey’s “Rebuild Alabama” plan, the Alabama House of Representatives
passed a method of taxation called “indexing.”
Gasoline and other fuel taxes would automatically go up or down every year, based
on the average national cost of infrastructure construction. This will be done without
a vote of the Alabama Legislature or the voters of Alabama.
XX. BY ANSWERING YES OR NO, do you support the automatic indexing of

future gasoline and other fuel taxes?
a. YES
b. NO

XXI. BY ANSWERING YES OR NO, do you believe there is waste at the
Alabama Department of Transportation?
a. YES
b. NO

XXII. BY ANSWERING YES OR NO, do you support a full management audit,
including hiring and promotion procedures, of the Alabama Department of
Transpiration before the Alabama Legislature implements an increase in
gasoline and other fuel taxes?
a. YES
b. NO

XXIII. BY ANSWERING YES OR NO, do you support an independent oversight
committee for the Alabama Department of Transportation?
a. YES
a. NO
b. PREFER NOT TO ANSWER

XXIV. BY ANSWERING YES OR NO, in the state elections of two thousand and
eighteen, do you believe Governor Ivey purposefully concealed her
intentions to raise gasoline and other fuel taxes?
a. YES
c. NO
d. PREFER NOT TO ANSWER

PROMPT: Thank you for your opinions regarding the transportation debate in
Montgomery, MR/ MRS. (PROMPT).
Let’s briefly shift to issues that will be discussed in future legislation.
XXV. Education is a priority to many voters across the state. The Alabama
Education Trust Fund is the largest operating fund in the entire state.
It includes monies for kindergarten through twelfth grade education,

Alabama’s two and four-year colleges and universities. It also includes
funding for public library services, performing and fine arts, disease
counseling, and youth development.
BY ANSWERING YES OR NO, do you support spending more money for

the Education Trust Fund?
a. YES
b. NO

Education funding is up for debate every year in Montgomery. In Alabama, the
Education Trust Fund is financed by individual and corporate income taxes, sales
taxes, utility taxes, and use taxes.
XXVI. BY ANSWERING YES OR NO, do you support higher taxes to pay for the
Education Trust Fund?
a. YES
b. NO

A lottery is a drawing of chance in which prizes are distributed to the winners
among a pool of individuals who have chosen to participate. Alabama is one of six
states without a lottery system.
XXVII. BY ANSWERING YES OR NO, do you support the establishment of

lottery to benefit the Education Trust Fund within the State of Alabama?
a. YES
b. NO

Property tax rates in Alabama have not been changed since 1979 and The Tax
Foundation ranks Alabama’s property taxes as the lowest in the country.
XXVIII. BY ANSWERING YES OR NO, do you support raising property taxes to

benefit universal pre-kindergarten programs in the State of Alabama.
d. YES
e. NO
f. PREFER NOT TO ANSWER

For many in Alabama, the game of “BINGO”, especially the electronic form, is a
controversial, legal and political issue.
XXIX. BY ANSWERING YES OR NO, do you support the ability for charitable,
electronic bingo establishments to exist within the State of Alabama?
g. YES
h. NO
i. PREFER NOT TO ANSWER

XXX. BY ANSWERING YES OR NO, do you support state licensing,
registration, and oversight for charitable, electronic bingo establishments
within the State of Alabama?
j. YES
k. NO
l. PREFER NOT TO ANSWER

MR. / MRS (PROMPT), THIS IS THE LAST QUESTION
Medicaid is a federally funded program administered by the states. Medicaid jointly-

funds medical expenses to assist low-income adults, children, elderly adults, and
people with disabilities. In two thousand and eighteen, Alabama’s total federal and
state cost of Medicaid was over six point five billion dollars. The federal government
pays seventy percent of the cost and the State of Alabama pays thirty percent.
According to the Kaiser Foundation, there are currently one million Alabamians
covered by Medicaid. Seventy-five thousand Alabamians fall within a “coverage gap”
by earning too much income to qualify for Medicaid, but earn too little to qualify for
subsidies created by the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
Alabama has the opportunity to extend coverage to a broader group of low-income

individuals by passing legislation expanding Medicaid coverage. The federal
government would pay ninety percent of cost of expansion. As of March first, two
thousand and eighteen, thirty-seven states have expanded Medicaid coverage for
their citizens.
XXXI. BY ANSWERING YES OR NO, do you support a move by the Alabama

Legislature to expand access to Medicaid?
m. YES
n. NO
o. PREFER NOT TO ANSWER
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS (EVENING / AFTERNOON), MR. / MRS.
(PROMPT). THAT CONCLUDES OUR SURVEY.
THIS ISSUE SURVEY WAS SPONSORED BY ALABAMA FIRST LOCATED AT

527 MAIN AVENUE, SUITE G, NORTHPORT, ALABAMA 35476. FOR MORE
INFORMATIO, PLEASE CALL 205-464-9912. THIS ISSUE SURVEY WAS
ADMINISTERED BY FERGUSON & ASSOCIATES.

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MEMORANDUM

TO: DON WALLACE – CHAIRMAN, ALABAMA FIRST

The survey was statistically balanced to accurately reflect demographic, socio-

Our analysis of the results shows the following:

• As a part of Governor Ivey’s “Rebuild Alabama” proposal, the state House of

• Governor Ivey’s “Rebuild Alabama” plan, the Alabama House of

• 79.61% of Alabamians think there is waste at the Alabama Department of

• 71.22% of Alabamians believe Governor Ivey purposefully concealed her

• 64.80% of Alabamians support the establishment of lottery to benefit the

• Gambling, including forms of electronic bingo, are currently illegal in

• Medicaid is a federally funded program administered by the states. Medicaid

BIRMINGHAM 251 41.28%

My name is (PROMPT) with FERGUSON & ASSOCIATES, and we are contacting

I. Would you be willing to take a short survey about the Governor of

a) YES (If YES, press 1 and continue survey)

1. NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS – 608

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 100%

b) NO (If NO, press 2 and conclude survey)

a. (If YES, PRESS 1 and CONCLUDE SURVEY. Inform individual that

b. (If NO, PRESS 2 and CONTINUE SURVEY.)

1. NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS – 608

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 100%

a) YES (THANK RESPONDENT AND CONCLUDE SURVEY)

1. NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS – 608

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 100%

1. NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS – 115

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 18.91%

1. NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS – 218

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 35.86%

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 8.88%

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 12.01%

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 5.92%

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 14.97%

g) PREFER NOT TO ANSWER

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 3.45%

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 78.29%

1. NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS – 105

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 17.27%

c) PREFER NOT TO ANSWER / DOES NOT REMEMBER

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 4.44%

1. NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS – 374

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 61.51%

1. NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS – 196

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 32.24%

c) PREFER NOT TO ANSWER / DOES NOT REMEMBER

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 6.25%

1. NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS – 501

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 82.40%

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 14.47%

c) PREFER NOT TO ANSWER / DOES NOT REMEMBER

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 3.13%

1. NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS – 458

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 75.33%

1. NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS – 105

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 17.27%

c) PREFER NOT TO ANSWER / DOES NOT REMEMBER

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 7.40%

1. NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS – 195

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 32.07%

1. NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS – 372

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 61.18%

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 4.93%

d. REFUSED / PREFER NOT TO ANSWER

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 1.81%

X. Are you male, female, or prefer not to answer?

1. NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS – 308

2. PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS – 50.66%