The statewide survey, conducted May 12–22, found that 27 percent of Californians think inflation, jobs, and the economy are the state’s top issues, followed closely by housing costs and availability at 12 percent.
Homelessness and gas and oil prices follow closely behind at 11 percent and 7 percent respectively, while water, water availability, and drought were the top issue for 6 percent of those surveyed.
Meanwhile, thirty-seven percent of those surveyed say they are financially worse off today than they were a year ago. For lower-income residents, 53 percent say that rising prices are causing serious financial hardship, and 46 percent say their finances are worse now than they were in 2021.
The findings come as rising gas, food, and consumer goods prices have sent inflation to 40-year highs in the United States, leaving Americans feeling the squeeze.
A total of 42 percent of 3,407 adults polled March 30–April 25 said they are changing how they shop for groceries, including opting for cheaper items, avoiding brand names, and buying only the essentials, while 46 percent are either dining out less or consciously spending less when dining out.
Meanwhile, the same survey found that one in four Americans said they are delaying retirement as a result of the increasing prices.
On Tuesday, President Joe Biden met with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to discuss skyrocketing inflation across the country where he reiterated that his addressing the rising costs is his “top priority.”
The president also promised to “respect the Fed’s independence” and give them “the space they need to do their job.”
“My job as President is not only [to] nominate highly qualified individuals for that institution, but to give them the space they need to do their job. I’m not going to interfere with their critically important work.”
Biden added that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and other fed leaders have said that they have a “laser-focus on addressing inflation, just like I am.”