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.
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