Immediately after the 2004 presidential election, half (50%) of Pennsylvanians described themselves as satisfied. That figure held through the spring, but dropped below the 50 percent mark in the September 2005 IssuesPA/Pew poll. Survey analysis of that poll suggested that the pay raise passed by the state legislature this July contributed to the decline in satisfaction. The legislature took action to repeal the pay raise while interviewing for the current poll was in progress. There are no indications, however, that the repeal has had any effect thus far in lifting the public mood. Those interviewed after November 16, when the repeal was enacted, are not any more positive about the direction of the state than those interviewed prior to that date (43% vs. 46%).
Regional Highlights: Residents of the Southwest region, where a strong anti-incumbent vote was a major factor in a state Supreme Court justice’s recent defeat in a retention election, are most unhappy with the direction of the state. Only about a third (31%) of Southwestern PA residents are satisfied with the way things are going, while a clear majority (61%) are dissatisfied. In no other region is the level of satisfaction below 40%.
Demographic Highlights: Big differences in satisfaction are found by age. Older people are much more critical of where the state is headed than are younger people. Close to two-thirds (64%) of young adults under 30 say they are satisfied, compared with about half (46%) of those age 30-49, and only a third of those aged 50-64 (34%) and older (33%).
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