Session: State Capitol, Room 427 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-2828 Fax: (907) 465-4779 Interim: 35477 Kenai Spur Highway, Suite 101 B Soldotna, AK 99669 Phone: (907) 260-3041 Fax: (907) 260-3044 345 W. Sterling Highway, Suite 102 Homer, AK 99603 Phone: (907) 235-0690 Fax: (907) 235-4008

Roads and Schools are Top Priorities
with Peninsula Survey Takers

(JUNEAU)-Infrastructure maintenance and school funding should be top priorities for legislators this session, according to those responding to a recent survey conducted by Sen. John Torgerson (R-Kasilof).

"When money gets tight and we have to make tough decisions, people tend to stick to the basics-roads and schools," said Torgerson. "The survey backs up what we hear in teleconferences and other communications with our people in the district."

Survey participants were given a number of issues and asked to indicate how high of a priority they should be with legislators this session. Repair and maintenance of roads and buildings received the most high priority votes. Forty-five percent of respondents rated repair and maintenance as "highest priority." In all 94 percent rated it as a "priority."

Schools and education ranked second with 41 percent of all those who responded giving it "highest priority" ranking. A total of 86 percent rated it as a "priority."

In other school-related questions, participants voted 2 to 1 in favor of school vouchers. Sixty-two percent said High School Exit Exams were a "report card" that reflected the quality of education the state's students receive. Respondents were split 50-50 on whether or not the exit exams should carry all the weight in determining whether or not a student should graduate.

Respondents were also asked about the possibility of a new prison on the Peninsula.

"While the January survey seemed to indicate a lot of support for a new prison on the Peninsula, February survey takers were not keen on having a prison in their neighborhoods," said Torgerson. "They voted 3 to 1 against having the medium security prison built near them."

Torgerson's monthly on-line survey is conducted via his legislative web page. The questions change each month to reflect the issues and bills in front of the legislature.

"The on-line survey is a terrific tool. It allows constituents to comment on a wide range of specific topics directly related to what we're working on that month," said Torgerson. "We heard from 29 Kenai Peninsula residents this time-but, we sure got a lot of additional comments. Everything from the prison to the permanent fund, and the need for more policing of sport and commercial fisheries."

To take Sen. Torgerson's current on-line survey, go to the senator's web page at www.akrepublicans.org/22ndleg/torgerson.shtml and click on "Questionnaire."

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