Economy Trumps All Other Issues, Field Poll Director Tells ACWA Members

With unemployment hovering near 12% and the state budget mired in red ink, Californians are decidedly gloomy about the economy and the general direction the state is heading, Field Poll Director Mark DiCamillo told ACWA members at a luncheon program Wednesday.

The Field Poll’s most recent survey of registered voters showed Californians are increasingly concerned about persistent unemployment and the prospect of deeper spending cuts and tax increases to address a looming shortfall in the state budget, DiCamillo said.

“The picture is not all that pretty,” DiCamillo said. “A lot of what is driving opinion is how voters view the economy.”

Though polls tend to reflect the cyclical nature of the California economy, DiCamillo said surveys data over the past four years shows “the longest sustained period of bad times that we’ve seen in our polls.”

Water remains a key concern for voters, but not to the degree it has been in previous years. That is likely due to the overwhelming focus on the economy and the fact that California is no longer in a drought, he said.

“Water now is in the second tier of issues. The top tier is now dominated by the economy and jobs,” DiCamillo said.

The ACWA conference continues through Friday at the Anaheim Marriott.