The Mood - Fall 2003

 

Fewer than half (46%) of state residents think things are on the right track in Wisconsin and that’s unchanged from the previous Index. Respondents are less optimistic about their own communities: This survey finds that 62% of state residents think things are on the right track locally and that’s a drop from 74% in spring 2003, but the same as one year ago.
Two out of five people (42%) think things will improve for them in the next year, down from 49% six months ago. A similar, although small, proportion of state residents (16%) think things will get worse.
A further indication of deterioration in the state’s mood is found in respondent's prediction future on several key issues. Among seven issues – jobs, job security, education, public safety, local services, health care, the overall economy – fewer than one respondent in three expects the situation to improve on any issue. Only one person in three (29%) expects the economy to improve, while a similar number (34%) thinks the economy will get worse. Two out of five respondents expect the job situation to get worse.
Summary The economy, jobs, and health care costs are probably at the root of a decreased sense of optimism. Fewer than half of state residents (46%) think things in Wisconsin are on the right track, just under one third (29%) think the state’s economy is going to get better in the near future and, locally, optimism is down from 74% six months ago to 62% currently. At the same time, people have hope for the future. Two out of five (42%) are optimistic things for them personally will get better over the next year and the same number (41%) thinks things will stay the same.