2008 Washington Poll Results

Contact: Susan Buckles, APR

                Northwest Area Foundation

651-225-3865    sbuckles@nwaf.org

Washingtonians worry their paychecks won’t cover basic costs in 2008 - yet they stay hopeful of local improvements

Nearly eight of 10 people say they will take their concerns to the voting booth this November

FOR FULL DETAILS: www.nwaf.org

ST. PAUL, Minn. (April 16, 2008)   More than one-quarter of Washingtonians worry most of the time that their total family income will not be enough to meet their family’s expenses and bills in 2008, bringing the struggle to make ends meet to a very personal level, according to a nationwide survey released today by the Northwest Area Foundation. Whether due to the depressed housing market, record numbers of home foreclosures, mounting debt or a wavering stock market, nearly half of the state’s residents rated the local economy as fair or poor. Nearly two-thirds say they are worried the economy will get worse this year. The poll numbers show:

• Twenty-six percent worry most or all of the time their total family income won’t be enough to meet bills.
• Forty-five percent rate the local economy as fair or poor.
• Sixty percent say they are worried the economy might get worse in the next year.

 “People are struggling with higher energy and gasoline prices at a time when many new jobs are paying lower wages. We have high pockets of poverty in our region, made evident by the fact that one of our elementary schools in Walla Walla has been running at or near 100 percent free and reduced lunches for the past five years. We’re also seeing more homeless and more requests for assistance,” said Steven Moss, CEO of Blue Mountain Action Council in Walla Walla, Wash.

An overwhelming number of Washingtonians say their concerns about people struggling to make ends meet will be an issue in this year’s elections:

• Ninety percent say they will probably vote in the November election.
• Eighty-six percent think it is important for elected officials to help those who are struggling.
• Seventy-six percent say they will take that belief with them to the voting booth.

A likely reflection of the rising cost of living, more people say it takes twice the federal poverty threshold, $21,027, to meet basic needs for a family of four:

• Seventy-six percent in 2008 vs. 71 percent in 2007 say it takes at least $40,000 for a family of four.
• Forty-six percent in 2008 vs. 40 percent in 2007 say it takes more than $40,000 for a family of four.

For the third year in a row, a vast majority in the state, 78 percent, said they know someone who is working full time, yet is still struggling to make ends meet. Forty-two percent said they know people who are working two or more jobs and are struggling.

Despite their own personal financial worries, 86 percent of Washingtonians report they would like to do more to help those who are struggling to make ends meet. Among the steps they are willing to take, 60 percent say they would pay $50 more per year in taxes if it would go to people in their community.

For full details on the national poll, including actions people are willing to take to help others, priorities for lawmakers, and optimism for the future, visit www.nwaf.org.

The Northwest Area Foundation is dedicated to helping communities in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington reduce poverty for the long term. These states were served by the Great Northern Railway, founded by James J. Hill. In 1934, Hill’s son, Louis W. Hill, established the foundation. To learn more, visit www.nwaf.org.

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The Northwest Area Foundation (NWAF) commissioned Lake Research Partners (LRP) to conduct a national tracking survey to explore the public’s perception of poverty in one’s own community, attitudes toward the roles of local elected officials, and ways in which to address the issue. The survey was conducted among 4,000 Americans age 18 and older, from February 8-29, 2008. Eight hundred interviews were conducted nationally, and oversamples of 400 were conducted in each of the following eight states: Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. The oversamples were weighted down to reflect their true proportion in the country. The margin of error is +/-3.5 percentage points for national and +/-5.0 points for state results. This is the third survey of its kind, replicating studies NWAF and LRP released in March 2006[1] and April 2007.

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