press release Fed Up With State Leadership, Californians Want Change But Approach Reform Cautiously Sep 10, 2009
press release Ban on Gay Marriage Trails — Voters Split on Teen Abortion Constraints, Redistricting Aug 27, 2008
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Special Survey on Californians and the Initiative Process By Mark Baldassare Sep 29, 2005 Some findings of the current survey Californians think that initiatives (39%) should have more influence than the legislature (32%) or governor (18%) over state policy. Most residents (74%) feel that initiatives raise important issues that elected officials have not adequately addressed. Despite their loyalty, 63% of Californians think the initiative process needs either major (29%) or minor (34%) changes. Many residents believe that special interests have too much control over the initiative process (92%), find the ballot wording for initiatives complicated and confusing (77%), and think there are too many propositions on the state ballot (62%). Half of state residents say they have less confidence now than before Hurricane Katrina that the government can handle a major terrorist attack (51%) or a major California earthquake (54%). 62% of Californians think the nation is headed in the wrong direction. November Ballot Measures: Proposition 74 (teacher tenure), 43% yes, 47% no Proposition 76 (spending and funding limits), 26% yes, 63% no Proposition 77 (redistricting), 33% yes, 50% no Proposition 78 (prescription drug discounts), 43% yes, 38% no Proposition 79 (prescription drug discounts), 34% yes, 40% no This is the 59th PPIC Statewide Survey and the second in a series of three surveys focusing on Californians and the initiative process. This special survey series is funded by The James Irvine Foundation.
press release Special Survey On Californians And The Initiative Process: Bad Time For The Ballot Box: Californians Disapprove Of Special Election, Schwarzenegger, State Government Aug 25, 2005
press release Californians Want Popular Vote – Not Electoral College – To Choose President Oct 21, 2004
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government By Mark Baldassare Sep 23, 2004 Some findings of the survey The Democratic ticket of Senators John Kerry and John Edwards holds a 12-point lead over the ticket of Republican President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney (51% to 39%). 54% of Californians disapprove of the way President Bush is handling his job. 54% also believe that the nation is headed in the wrong direction. 71% of Californians—and 80% of likely voters—say that it really does matter who wins the presidential race. Asked which issues they would most like to hear the presidential candidates address during their debates this fall, likely voters say the economy and unemployment (30%), the war in Iraq (19%), health care (12%), and terrorism and national security (8%). Among likely voters, incumbent Senator Barbara Boxer has an 18-point lead over Republican challenger Bill Jones (54% to 36%). 61% of Californians approve of the way Governor Schwarzenegger is handling his job; only 40% approve of the way that the state legislature is handling theirs. This is the 50th PPIC Statewide Survey and the 18th in a series of large-scale public opinion polls that PPIC is conducting on a periodic basis throughout California's election cycles. The purpose of this series is to develop an objective, in-depth profile of the social, economic, and political forces affecting public policy preferences and ballot choices in California.
Report California’s Global Gateways: Trends and Issues By Jon D. Haveman, David Hummels Apr 14, 2004 The capacity and efficiency of seaports and airports have become critical factors in global trade. Such trade is especially important to California, whose ports are among the busiest in the nation. In California’s Global Gateways: Trends and Issues, Jon D. Haveman and David Hummels examine several aspects of the state’s trade traffic and infrastructure. Focusing on trends and forecasts in international shipping, the regional effects of serving as a global distribution center, the 2002 West Coast port closure, and policy responses to terrorist attacks, the report points to a complex policy question: Should California seek to increase shipments through its ports and cities or adopt policies that, in effect, encourage international cargo to go elsewhere? The answer to this question, the authors note, will shape California’s physical and economic landscape for decades to come.
