In December I praised the creation of the San Diego Institute for Policy Research, an effort by AMN Healthcare Exec and one time mayoral candidate Steve Francis to inject some additional free market thinking into the veins of the City of San Diego. (Maybe the City Council majority could use more than a free market speedball, perhaps also an intervention.)
At any rate, SDIRP is up and operating, apparently, as they just completed a survey through Competitive Edge Research & Communication called a "Barometer of San Diegans Opinions." Thanks to Competitive Edge guru John Nienstedt for shooting it over.
The results show that most San Diegans find the city’s financial situation bad, but getting better under the leadership of Mayor Jerry Sanders, who has high approval ratings. Additionally, Mike Aguirre has a relatively good showing, while folks are not so sure about the SD City Council. And, San Diegans do love the Governor.
Here is the press release:
San Diego Institute for Policy Research Releases its First Barometer of Public Opinion
Research Done in Partnership with Competitive Edge Research & Communication
SAN DIEGO, CA –The San Diego Institute for Policy Research (SDI) released the initial findings today of its first “Barometer of San Diegans Opinions.” The Barometer will be a regular assessment of San Diegans’ opinions, the first such regular assessment to be conducted here locally.
“The purpose of the Barometer is to give decision makers a regular indicator of the public’s opinion on topical issues, as well as consumer confidence,” said Steve Francis, Founder and Chairman of SDI. “We are strongly committed to conducting San Diego’s fairest and most objective poll and sustaining that effort in a regular manner over several years.”
The Barometer’s initial focus included measuring consumer confidence, job approval for the Mayor and Council, San Diegan’s views about retirement and pensions, fiscal issues facing the City and the public’s views about the controversial decision by the Council to ban Walmart Supercenters within the City limits.
The research was conducted from January 3 – 6 and included 503 adult respondents within the City of San Diego.
The initial findings released included an assessment of San Diego’s economy and government, as well as the job approval ratings for Mayor Jerry Sanders and the City Council.
“Clearly the Mayor continues to enjoy strong support amongst the citizens for his efforts,” said Erik Bruvold, President and CEO of SDI. “Almost 1/3 of the people strongly approve of him with over 70% combined support. This support will be critical as he faces the challenges in the year ahead,” he added.
During the rest of January SDI will be releasing the poll’s findings, as they are analyzed, on how San Diegans would solve the City’s fiscal crisis (January 16), their views on the recent Council actions concerning Wal-Mart (January 22) and their views on retirement planning and how the City’s pension system should be structured (February 1).
The San Diego Institute for Policy Research (SDI) is a non-partisan organization whose goal is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the public sector throughout San Diego County. Established in 2006, SDI will produce high quality policy research papers, economic bulletins, public opinion polls and major events and symposiums to help generate debate and discussion amongst San Diego’s decision makers and citizens alike.
Attached below are the toplines and an analysis.