The swift closing of the California legislative session which saw both houses of the legislature approve two big pieces of legislation that are keyed to the state’s economy did nothing to cheery up California’s residents.
Despite the passage of high-speed rail funding and foreclosure “relief,” Californians are down in the dumps not only about the state’s economic outlook, but their own personal prospects.
A current Field Poll (pdf) found that 88% of respondents describe the current state economic condition as “bad times,” regardless of political affiliation.
Even those supporting the re-election of President Obama view the state’s economy in a bad light, 85% to 5%. A mere sliver of 9% held a mixed view of the state’s economy.
And few residents think things will improve over the next twelve months: “A plurality (42%) expects economic conditions to stay the same, 24% expect things to worsen, while just three in then (30%) think things will get better.”
Further, a plurality of respondents said that their own financial situation has worsened over the last year — only those making more than $100,000 a year were more likely to say that their situation had improved over last year. (By 34% to 26%, Obama supportors reported their situation as improved.)
One thing most everyone agreed on (70%) was that unemployment is a serious problem in California. Another 25% consider unemployment “somewhat serious.”
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