Some findings of the current survey:
- Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger holds a 13-point lead over Democratic challenger Phil Angelides in the November governor’s race. Republicans are more satisfied with their choice of candidate (58%) than Democrats are with theirs (42%).
- The four infrastructure bonds placed on the ballot by the legislature for transportation, housing, schools and flood mitigation have support from at least half of likely voters. But even supporters of individual bond measures think the total amount, about $43 billion, is too much.
- Looking towards the future, 34 percent of Californians think that improving jobs and the economy is the highest priority for the state by 2025, followed by the rehabilitation of state infrastructure, protecting the environment, and the creation of a more equal society. Four percent identify closing the border and stopping illegal immigration as the state’s highest priority.
- Both likely voters (43%) and all adults (36%) identify light rail systems as their top priority for publicly funded surface transportation projects to accommodate the state’s expected population growth by 2025.
This is the 70th PPIC Statewide Survey and the first in a four-part, pre- and post-election series, made possible with funding from The James Irvine Foundation.