Tester survey ranks Social Security as No. 1 priority

Preserving Social Security and Medicare was the top priority among citizens who responded to a survey by Sen. Jon Tester’s office in January. Tester asked citizens to name the issues they wanted the U.S. Senate to deal with first this year.

About 2,000 respondents said preserving Social Security and Medicare was their top priority. Nearly 1,700 chose protecting women’s access to health care as their top priority.

Making education affordable came in third at just over 1,600 votes. Growing the economy came in next with a little more than 1,500 votes. Protecting public lands was just behind at fifth with a little more than 1,500 votes.

Fixing the U.S. Postal Service came in sixth with just over 1,200 votes. Simplifying the tax code came in seventh with a little more than 1,100 votes. Reforming the U.S. housing finance system came in eighth with just over 1,000 votes.

Tester’s office is still taking input online at www.jontester.com/landing/e141121/?subsource=ngpattre150113.