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Statewide Survey

PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government

By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Sonja Petek, Jui Shrestha

Some findings of the current survey:

  • Californians are divided on how to spend the budget surplus. But a majority of likely voters (57%) prefer to pay down state debt and build up the reserve, while just 39 percent prefer to restore funding for social services.
  • Californians continue to express distrust in state and federal government; most think both are run by a few big interests looking out for themselves.
  • A slim majority Californians oppose the increased use of fracking; 46 percent favor building the Keystone XL pipeline.

Job Approval Ratings:
President Obama [PDF]
Governor Brown [PDF]
California State Legislature [PDF]
U.S. Congress [PDF]
Their Own State Legislators in the Assembly and Senate [PDF]
Their Own Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives [PDF]

Time Trends of Job Approval Ratings:
President Obama [XLS]
Governor Brown [XLS]
California State Legislature [XLS]
U.S. Congress [XLS]
Their Own State Legislators in the Assembly and Senate [XLS]
Their Own Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives [XLS]

Mood of Californians:
General Direction of Things in California [PDF]
Economic Outlook for California [PDF]

Time Trends for the Mood of Californians:
General Direction of Things in California [XLS]
Economic Outlook for California [XLS]

This survey was supported with funding from The James Irvine Foundation.

Statewide Survey

PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and the Environment

By Mark Baldassare, Jennifer Paluch, Dean Bonner, Sonja Petek

Some findings of the current survey:

  • Solid majorities of Californians favor government regulation of greenhouse gas emissions and policies to curb global warming.
  • More Californians support than oppose expanding coastal oil drilling; even more favor improving fuel efficiency.
  • Three in four Californians say the state should expand public transit and use existing transportation networks more efficiently—only 18 percent say the state should build more freeways.

Job Approval Ratings:
   President Obama
   Governor Schwarzenegger
   California State Legislature

Time Trends of Job Approval Ratings:
   President Obama
   Governor Schwarzenegger
   California State Legislature

Mood of Californians:
   General Direction of Things in California
   Economic Outlook for California
 
Time Trends for the Mood of Californians:
   General Direction of Things in California
   Economic Outlook for California
 
This survey is supported with funding from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

blog post

Video: Women in California’s Legislature

By Mary Severance

On International Women’s Day, PPIC president and CEO Tani Cantil-Sakauye moderated a discussion with four influential women in the California State Legislature, who talked about their experiences, their legislative priorities, and the importance of diverse voices in the policymaking process.

Statewide Survey

PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government

By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Rachel Lawler, Deja Thomas

Key findings include: Proposition 30 on reducing greenhouse gas emissions has lost ground in the past month, with support among likely voters now falling short of a majority. Democrats hold an overall edge across the state's competitive districts; the outcomes could determine which party controls the US House of Representatives. Four in ten likely voters are satisfied with how democracy is working in the US. Many Californians have negative perceptions of their personal finances and the US economy this election season.

blog post

Californians’ Racial Attitudes and the Reparations Task Force

By Mark Baldassare

The state's Reparations Task Force recently issued recommendations for how California might compensate and apologize for slavery and its lasting effects on African Americans. What do Californians think about racism, race relations, and this task force?

blog post

Most California Voters Say “We Know Best”

By Mark Baldassare

A majority of likely voters believe that policy choices made through the citizens’ initiative process are probably better than those made by state lawmakers.

Statewide Survey

PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Higher Education

By Mark Baldassare, Jennifer Paluch, Dean Bonner, Sonja Petek

Some findings of the current survey:

  • Californians give high grades to their public higher education systems but are worried about increased student costs and state budget cuts.
  • State leaders get record low approval ratings for their handling of higher education: 21 percent for Governor Schwarzenegger and 16 percent for the state legislature.
  • Sixty-seven percent of Latino parents of children aged 18 or younger are very worried about being able to afford a college education, while 38 percent of white parents say the same.

Job Approval Ratings:
Governor Schwarzenegger
California State Legislature

Time Trends of Job Approval Ratings:
Governor Schwarzenegger
California State Legislature

Mood of Californians:
General Direction of Things in California
Economic Outlook for California

Time Trends for the Mood of Californians:
General Direction of Things in California
Economic Outlook for California

This survey was supported with funding from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Statewide Survey

PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government

By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Rachel Lawler, Deja Thomas

Key findings include overwhelming majorities say housing affordability and homelessness are a big problem; many Californians worry younger generations will be unable to afford a home. Majorities expect bad times ahead for the state financially. Approval of Newsom and Biden has remained steady, while approval has fallen for the US Supreme Court and Congress.

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