As the Alaska Legislature prepares to gavel in for a special session on Saturday to consider overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s recent veto of a fraction of the increase to education spending, new polling from the Democrat-leaning firm Data for Progress suggests that Alaskans side with the Democrats in the Legislature on this issue.
The survey, conducted just before the session convenes, shows Alaska voters want more support for public education, corporate tax transparency, and consumer protections. These findings were released to shore up support for veto overrides during what is predicted to be a one-day, override-and-out session.
No questions were asked about whether schools should be held accountable for being at the bottom of the performance matrix in spite of some of the highest funding in the nation.
According to the poll, 57% of Alaska voters support even more funding for K–12 public schools, while just 17% support decreasing it. A similar majority backs overriding Dunleavy’s veto of the education funding bill passed earlier this year. This suggests that there will be a veto override, but that the NEA and the Democrats will push for even more spending next session.
Other findings reveal public support for legislative action on several fronts, which may indicate the Democrats in charge and their Republican enablers will try to override more than just the governor’s partial veto of education excesses.
- Oil Taxes and Transparency: Voters support reforming Alaska’s tax structure so that all major oil and gas producers pay corporate income tax. They also favor requiring the Department of Revenue to publish corporate tax audit results—another bill vetoed by the governor.
- Payday Lending: Alaskans back a 36% interest rate cap on payday loans and support overriding the governor’s veto of legislation to enforce it.
- Sales Tax Equity: Voters support taxing online companies based outside Alaska for sales made within the state, especially if the revenue goes toward public education.
- Opposition to ICE Contracts: A majority oppose building an ICE detention center or contracting with ICE to house detainees from other states in Alaska.
- Renewable Energy and Federal Cuts: Voters support a Renewable Portfolio Standard and oppose federal cuts to clean energy programs, public broadcasting, and fisheries protections.
- Session Attendance: A majority of respondents said lawmakers should attend the special session and not skip out.
- Miscellaneous Issues: The poll also found strong support for eliminating daylight saving time and disapproval of the omnibus legislation known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
Data for Progress says the poll sample was carefully weighted to reflect the likely electorate, including political leanings, age, race, geography, and voting history.
The polling was informed by Democrats and is intended to embolden Democrats in the Legislature, who currently hold effective control in both chambers, as they prepare for a likely clash with the Republican governor over budget priorities and policy direction.
What is unclear is how many Republicans will turn their backs on the governor during this special session.
The full survey and methodology are available at dataforprogress.org.
People only want “more funding” if you don’t tell them what the numbers are.
$20,000 to $80,000 per student, per year. That’s where we are at right now.
Another progressive and repressive poll to try and sway public opinion. Give me the results and I will provide you with the people to obtain them. I believe polls as much as I believe the 1964 earthquake never happened.
All those issues, especially education, have been discussed at length. Time to make a decision.
What a pile of 💩💩💩!
Promises made, promises kept.
Next time
One of the legislators wanting to override the Governor need to be sure they let everyone know they want the democrats in charge especially in education! That election will be better than a poll!
That’s a bunch of BS. The people I know including myself weren’t polled as a big phat No on that education funding bill.
Libs are not our problem
Phony conservatives are.
We’ll see. Just from this source’s bias, I’d have to call bs.
Tell me the answer you want and I will give you the people to provide it. I take very little stock in polls as much as I believe the 1964 earthquake was false.
wonder what poll Dunleavy used to think he will get his agenda passed in a special session? This poll covers a lot of topics. Vetoed bills like the payday lending legislation Dunleavy vetoed have wide support. Their are federal laws in place capping interest rates on active military. I would not be surprised to see support from military members carry over to state law.
Payday loans and Rent to own ought to be outlawed period the way they operate now. They prey on young low income people, especially military. Neither of them are a good deal for anyone but them.
Most polls are intended to shape opinion, not reflect it.
This pile of trash is no different.