Survey Says Arkansans Leery of Stimulus and Reform

One in three employees feel completely secure about their jobs, a recent survey of Arkansans revealed.

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The survey, dubbed Inc. Tanc, is a partnership between Arkansas Business (sister publication to the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal) and MarketSearch (a division of the Mangan Holcomb ad agency of Little Rock). More than 13,000 Arkansas Business and ArkansasBusiness.com readers were surveyed from June 25 through July 13. A total of 827 responded.

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While only one in three felt completely secure about their jobs, another 37 percent felt their job was secure, but their income level was unsure. Another 15 percent indicated they were somewhat concerned with their job security, with only 5 percent responding as very concerned.

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Answering a question that also reflected concern over the economy in general, 64 percent of respondents said they’ve reduced spending on non-essential items. Another 31 percent have changed their investment strategies.

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The federal stimulus package and proposed health care legislation also drew marked responses. While just 7 percent of those surveyed have received direct benefit from the stimulus, 53 percent said they have not been impacted and don’t plan to be impacted.

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In regard to healthcare reform, more than half of the respondents are opposed to mandatory coverage. A total of 33 percent favor the current system, while 22 percent favor reform without mandatory coverage.