Most Important Problems

The economy trumped all other problems in 2010. It was listed as the most important problem by nearly half (49%) of the respondents.  No other issue comes close. This is in stark contrast to 2000, when it was listed 9th.  Schools and education came in second on both surveys. Immigration was listed 10th in 2000, but moved up to the third most frequently volunteered “most important problem” in 2010.  This would be consistent with the so-called “push-pull” thesis, which suggests that when the economy is doing well, we either encourage or at least are more tolerant of immigration (and therefore pull them in). But when the economy sours, we want to “push” them out, in this case across the border to Mexico.  “Taxes, Budget” was listed as fourth, reflecting the $20 billion budget deficit in Sacramento, and the hard times faced by all levels of government, and individuals.


Considering all the public policy issues in Orange County, what do you think is the most important problem today?

RANK Topic 2000 | Topic 2010
1 Crime, Gangs 24% | Jobs, Economy 49%
2 Schools, Education 17 | Schools, Education 12
3 Marine Corps Air Station El Toro 15 | Immigration 8
4 Traffic and Transportation 11 | Taxes, Budget and Spending 5
5 Housing Cost and Availability 6 | Traffic and Transportation 5
6 Growth, Population and Development 5 | Local Government 5
7 Other 5 | Other 3
8 Environment, Pollution 4 | Housing Cost & Availability 3
9 Jobs, Economy 4 | Growth, Population, Development 3
10 Immigration 2 | Political Corruption 3
11 Drugs, Drug Abuse 2 | Crime, Gangs 2
12 Morality, Values 2 | Morality, Values 2
13 Health Care 1 | Poverty, Poor, Welfare 0
14 Poverty, Poor, Welfare 1 | Environment, Pollution 0
15 Local Government 1 |