PARCA survey shows ample distrust of Alabama government
Posted by BrianThe Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) recently conducted a survey of over 400 Alabamians on a number of ethics related topics. The results (link here) show a healthy skepticism at the openness and honesty of our government. Large percentages favored ending PAC-to-PAC transfers, reporting all lobbyist spending, and banning legislators for holding other state jobs.
Selected questions/responses:
- What is the best method for selecting judges?
- 42% : Nonpartisan elections
- 30% : Partisan elections
- 21% : Appointment, retention
- 7% : No Opinion
- Should lobbyists report all spending on legislators?
- 90% : Required to report all spending
- 8% : Okay to spend without reporting
- 2% : No opinion
- How much should lobbyists be allowed to spend on legislators?
- 39% : Eliminate spending altogether
- 29% : $250 about right/too little
- 28% : $250 too high
- 4% : No opinion
- Should PAC-to-PAC transfers be allowed?
- 83% : No
- 9% : Yes
- 8% : No opinion
- Should Alabama legislators be allowed to hold other state jobs?
- 60% : Prohibited from state jobs
- 35% : Allowed to hold state jobs
- 5% : No opinion
The biggest surprise for me is that 29% of respondents thought the $250 per day (unreported) lobbying limit was “about right/too little.” Did the conductor of the survey happen to call a bunch of lobbyists and legislators?
The other somewhat surprising, but encouraging, response was to the method for judicial selections. I did not expect more people to support nonpartisan elections than partisan ones. I would have assumed that far too many people need the intellectual crutch of a political party for making their selections.
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April 9th, 2007 at 5:04 am
I read of this survey in the Huntsville Times and then submitted a letter to the editor as follows:
Re: Bob Lowry’s “60% in survey say ban legislators in state job”. The results of the survey, as interpreted by Professor Stewart, show that Alabamians want our government reformed. I believe we have wanted that for years, but the legislature, as a body, is not willing to do it. If it’s to really be reformed it will be left up to Alabamians to do it through an Initiative and Referendum (I&R) process which we sorely need.
SB378 and HB263, if enacted, would make Alabama the 25th I&R state, but since I&R is the key to reform the legislature won’t pass them unless lawmakers feel that their jobs are in jeopardy if they don’t.
I encourage all voters to contact the two members who represent them and to tell (not ask) them to work to get these bills passed or this could be their last term in elective office. Voters can go online to http://www.doctoriq.com/KeyReps.htm to learn how to contact those members as well as the governor and lieutenant governor if they don’t already know.