The Future - Fall 2003

 

The most recent quality of life survey reflects serious concerns on the part of most Wisconsin residents and it contains notes of optimism. Many say the availability of good jobs is likely to get worse. They think most people need more training to qualify for good jobs. They expect Wisconsin’s economy won’t get better. They think health care costs will continue to increase.
When important issues touch them, people become more optimistic. Forty-two percent of respondents think that things will get better for them personally over the next year. They think their own job security will get better or stay the same (71%).
Summary Taken together, the economy, jobs, health care, and the general mood combine to define a population that has serious concerns about the current state of affairs in Wisconsin. On these fronts few people are optimistic that things will improve in the near future. In addition, state residents report that they have less disposable income today than they had a year ago. Yet, when they assess their own situation, most people see a glass that is half full. They are optimistic that things will not get worse for them personally and may even get better.