A new survey of 2,000 Californians reveals widespread pessimism about the economy and the future of our state. More than 60 percent of respondents say California is headed in the "wrong direction." KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has details.
Californians have worried about various issues over the years -- education, immigration. Mark Baldassare of the nonprofit Public Policy Institute of California says now, the economy tops almost everyone's list.
Baldassare: Really across regions, economic groups, political groups, a consensus that we're currently in a recession, 7 in 10 Californians say that, and we are not gonna get out of this anytime soon.
Californians are even more worried about the rest of the country. Three in four respondents expect bad economic times in the coming year. The PPIC calls that "record-shattering levels of negativity."
Hard times are hard on politicians, too. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's approval rating has fallen to 44 percent, down 13 points from December. President Bush's approval rating among Californians is 24 percent, a new low. Approval is dropping for California's U.S. Senators, for the legislature, and for local representatives. More than 60 percent of Californians believe their tax dollars are wasted.
Andrew Phelps, KPBS News.
