2017 LEGISLATIVE SURVEY RESULTS – Straight From The Senate

It is a great honor to represent the people of Senate District 16 in the Indiana State Senate.

Common sense Hoosier values, a strong work ethic, and a compassionate spirit combine to make our part of the state a wonderful place to live.

Each year, I survey my constituents to get their input on current state issues. The survey is sent by mail and is also available online.

My 2017 survey results are in and have been calculated. The questions and results are below.

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1. When the legislature adopts a new state budget during the 2017 session, which one of the following do you think should be the top priority?
   A. Addiction treatment to address the drug epidemic 12%
   B. Cutting taxes 28%
   C. Expanding state funding for preschool 9%
   D. Increasing pay for K-12 teachers 22%
   E. Increasing road funding 21%
   F. Increasing technology funding for schools 8%

2. Which of the following changes would you support to increase road funding? (You may select more than one option)
   A. Increasing the gas tax 606
   B. Indexing the gas tax so that it rises with inflation each year 385
   C. Tolling roads and bridges 277
   D. A per-mile tax determined by tracking how far each driver travels 147
   E. Paying an annual fee to the BMV 290
   F. None of the above 505

3. Indiana currently has a pilot program to help fund preschool for low-income children in 5 counties. Should Indiana:
   A. Wait to gauge the effectiveness of this program before deciding whether to expand taxpayer-funded preschool; 71% or
   B. Expand the program now? 29%

4. Should the Indiana Constitution be amended to establish an appointed commission to draw state legislative and congressional district boundaries?
   A. Yes 33%
   B. No 67%

5. Indiana bans texting while driving. Do you support or oppose expanding that law to ban all smart-phone activities while driving, with an exception for hands-free technology?
   A. Support 80%
   B. Oppose 20%

Additional questions were asked in the online survey. Those questions and responses can be viewed at www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Long.

The results have been helpful, and I would like to thank those who participated.

If you have questions, comments or concerns regarding any issue being considered in the General Assembly this year, please contact me by phone at 800-382-9467 or by email at Senator.Long@iga.in.gov.