With what may feel like a never-ending stream of budget cuts and layoffs, it comes as no surprise that Floridians regard the economy as their greatest concern.
Of 1,200 Florida residents interviewed, 56 percent listed "economy/jobs" as the No. 1 issue facing the state, according to a poll released Monday by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc. for Leadership Florida.
The poll was conducted in November and has a margin of error of 3.2 percent.
The economy received only 7 percent in 2007, when taxes and government spending topped the list at 20 percent.
It's not surprising that the economy, which was a main focal point in the presidential campaign, is the top issue this year, said Brad Coker, managing director for Mason-Dixon.
In the survey, 23 percent said personal debt was the single greatest stress on their household finances.
The poll also showed Floridians want government officials to step up efforts to fix the economy.
Sixty-three percent said they support offering business incentives, up from 55 percent in 2007.
Incentives could support business expansion or relocation to Florida but would not necessarily be bailouts, Coker said.
Forty-three percent of those polled preferred aiding Florida businesses over attracting those from out of state, the same as in 2007. Nineteen percent said there should be an emphasis on both.
In addition to the increased focus on businesses, Floridians have also changed their views on growth, viewing it now as positive and an economic gain.
Although Coker said there is usually a balance in opinions about growth, there was a 10 percent decrease in those who view it as more negative than positive.
Coker said he thought voters looked positively at growth because it could stimulate the state's housing market.
Leadership Florida, the group that organized the survey, was created by the Chamber of Commerce to train Floridian leaders and provides training sessions to leaders of Florida government, corporations and schools.
Based on the results of the poll, Wendy Abberger, the president of Leadership Florida, said the organization would weave economic factors into all of its sessions.
