Posted on 01/15/2004 1:31:31 AM PST by calcowgirl
Arnold Schwarzenegger faces an uphill task convincing Californians to accept the most crucial element of his plan for the state's fiscal recovery, according to the first sampling of popular opinion since he became governor.
While 64 per cent of voters like the way he is handling the job, only 35 per cent will say "yes" to borrowing $15bn to restructure debts accumulated on his predecessor's watch.
The findings by the Public Policy Institute of California suggest the state's finances could be thrown into chaos if the Republican newcomer fails to overcome widespread scepticism.
Steve Westly, the Democrat state controller, warned last week that if voters rejected the bond issue in a state-wide election on March 2 the state would run out of cash by June.
A "no" vote would also kill linked proposals to oblige the legislature to enact a balanced budget, give the governor special powers to address fiscal emergencies, and establish a rainy-day reserve fund.
"Voters have to like the message, not just the messenger," said Mark Baldassare, survey director.
While the sample clearly approved of the secondary proposals, intended to ensure long-term fiscal stability, 52 per cent said Mr Schwarzenegger's endorsement of the bond made no difference to how they felt about it. "Given the bitter residue of this past year's financial fiasco, they are understandably wary about incurring more debt," Mr Baldassare said.
This is also reflected in the slim support recorded for a proposition, also on the March ballot, for a bond issue to raise $12.3bn for school building - long the most popular cause in the state.
With 44 per cent opposed to the "economic recovery bond" and 21 per cent undecided less than two months before the Democratic presidential primary, the governor is likely to devote much of his energy promoting the plan recently approved by a large majority in the Democrat-dominated legislature.
That approval was widely seen as a victory for his powers of persuasion, which now face a further test among an electorate that appears inclined to trust him.
The primary is expected to attract large numbers of Democrat voters, among whom only 31 per cent support the borrowing project.
On other specific measures sampled, Mr Schwarzenegger's approval rating is above 50 per cent.
Another incorrect article.
PPIC Statewide Survey:
Special Survey on California's Fiscal System, January 2004
Mark Baldassare
38 pp.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.