Sonoran Alliance was able to obtain the results of a just released statewide issues poll commissioned by a local businessman and philanthropist Wil Cardon. The universe, consisting of 602 likely voters sampled across the state, indicates that voter attitude is not happy with the direction of the state and elected officials. Here are a few of the questions and respective answers from that poll:

1. Do you feel things in Arizona are going in the right direction or are they seriously on the wrong track?
   Right direction – 109 – 18.11%
   Wrong track – 345 – 57.31%
   Unsure – 147 – 24.42%
   Refused – 1 – 0.17%
2. In general, please tell me if you have a favorable or unfavorable impression of the Arizona State Legislature.
   Favorable - 122 - 20.27%
   Unfavorable - 365 - 60.63%
   No opinion/DK - 115 - 19.10%
   Refused - 0 - 0.00%
3. Thinking about Arizona State leadership for just a moment, tell me which of the following types of candidates you would tend to favor. Candidates who have run businesses, have real world experience and who have never held political office before, or people who have extensive experience in state government?
   Run businesses - 419 - 69.60%
   Served in state government - 183 – 30.40%
4. When it comes to the top issues you would like to see Arizona State government address which of the following do you think is most important:
   K-12 education funding – 168 - 27.91%
   University funding – 6 – 1.00%
   State budget deficit - 129 – 21.43%
   Illegal immigration - 160 – 26.58%
   Tax reduction - 20 – 3.32%
   Transportation - 1 – 0.17%
   Health Care - 55 – 9.14%
   Growth/Development - 18 - 2.99%
   Crime/Public safety - 18 - 2.99%
   Protecting the environment - 9 – 1.50%
   Other - 7 – 1.16%
   Refused – 11 - 1.83%
5. Are you registered to vote as a Republican, Democrat, Independent or No party, or something else?
   Republican – 238 – 39.53%
   Democrat – 199 – 33.06%
   Independent or no party – 139 – 23.09%
   Something else – 3 – 0.50%
   Refused – 23 – 3.82%
6. The fourth would strengthen and expand Arizona’s term limits laws. At present, elected officials often run for other political offices after their terms expire. They do this because they like the perks of office, or may have no other job to return to. Plus, having held one office, they can more easily win another. However, a new ballot measure would require that politicians wait at least two years before seeking another elected office in order to give more citizens a better chance at serving the public, rather than career politicians. In general, do you think that this is a good idea, or a bad one?
   Good idea - 346 - 57.48%
   Bad idea - 174 – 28.90%
   Unsure - 80 - 13.29%
   Refused - 2 – 0.33%
7. The next involves complaints that paying state income taxes is too complicated and too costly. The solution, some say, is a flat tax that would have a single income tax rate that is easy to understand. It would still permit deductions for home mortgages and charitable contributions. Such a reform would be revenue neutral for the State of Arizona. In general do you think this is a good idea, or a bad one?
   Good idea – 325 - 53.99%
   Bad idea - 156 – 25.91%
   Unsure - 119 - 19.77%
   Refused - 2 – 0.33%
8. The last one involves a temporary one cent sales tax increase proposed by Governor Brewer . It would last for 3 years to help close the state budget deficit and would cost the average home owner about $486 per year.The money would be used to fund state services rather than make further cuts in these areas. Would you tend to favor or oppose such a proposal?
   Favor – 295 – 49.00%
   Oppose – 261 – 43.36%
   Unsure – 45 – 7.48%
   Refused – 1 – 0.17%
9. Governor Jan Brewer will be up for re-election in November, 2010. If the election were held today please tell me if you would vote for her, or if you would vote for someone else?
   Brewer – 110 – 18.27%
   Someone else – 276 – 45.85%
   Unsure/undecided – 215 – 35.71%
   Refused – 1 – 0.17%
10. Now, staying on the topic of the race for governor, if our current governor was not a candidate, what type of candidate would you vote for if that election were held today? They are:
    A state treasurer – 30 – 5.83%
    A former George W. Bush transportation secretary – 6 – 1.17%
    A conservative African American mayor of a prominent Arizona city – 26 – 5.05%
    A former Republican Party state chairman who is a practicing attorney – 11 – 2.14%
    An incumbent Attorney General – 60 – 11.65%
    A former state senate president and secretary of state – 19 – 3.69%
    A successful businessman with a young family – 138 – 26.80%
    Undecided – 218 – 42.33%
    Refused – 7 – 1.36%
11. And when it comes to voting for Congress next year are you inclined to vote for the Republican, Democrat or are you not sure?
    Republican – 194 – 32.23%
    Democrat – 160 – 26.58%
    Unsure – 240 – 39.87%
    Refused – 8 – 1.33%

Of the 602 voters sampled:

1. Age:
   18-34 – 18 - 2.99%
   35-44 – 28  – 4.65%
   45-54  – 81 – 13.46%
   55-64 – 145 - 24.09%
   65 and older – 307 – 51.00%
   Refused – 23  – 3.82%
2. County residence:
   Maricopa – 362 – 60.13%
   Pima – 90 – 14.95%
   Other North: (Mohave Coconino Apache Navajo Yavapai Gila Greenlee) - 87 – 14.45%
   Other South: (Pinal Graham Cochise Santa Cruz Yuma LaPaz) - 63 – 10.47%
3. Sex:
   Male – 291 – 48.34%
   Female – 311 – 51.66%

Here is the press release issued by Rose & Allyn Public Relations