(September 2, 2006) -- The Public Policy Institute of CA (PPIC), a San Francisco-based think-tank, has released the results of a survey indicating Californians question spending more money to promote growth, and doubt their state government's ability to provide leadership, leaving the outcome for a November's infrastructure bond package "up in the air."

Support for a proposed Port infrastructure expansion/transportation bond is only at 50% "yes" with 38% "no" [significant because it's before opponents begin pointing out its negatives]. Its the second-worst performing in the package of five bonds (four assembled behind closed doors by the legislature and Governor) facing taxpayers on the November ballot.

The survey also shows that the public's approval rating of the state legislature is lower now than it was two years ago.

"There is really a disconnect between Californians’ preferences and the choices they are being presented with," said PPIC survey director Mark Baldassare in a release. "The conversation took place without them, but they'll have the last word."

The PPIC release states in pertinent part:

And approval ratings for the state legislature is even lower than two years ago.

"Residents are more likely today than they were two years ago to say they disapprove of the way the state legislature (54% today from 47% in August 2004) and governor (46% today from 30% in 2004) are handling plans and policies for the state’s future. The state legislature fares poorly overall, with majorities of adults (53%) and likely voters (61%) unhappy with its performance," the release said.

The survey found that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's approval ratings have risen in recent months: "Residents are now as likely to approve as they are to disapprove (44% to 46%) of the job he is doing, an 8-point improvement since May. The governor’s approval rating among likely voters is also up by eight points, with 50 percent approving and 42 percent disapproving of his performance in office."

The survey indicates Governor Schwarzenegger leads Democrat challenger, State Treasurer Phil Angelides, by a 13-point margin among likely voters (45% to 32%). 82 percent of Republicans favor Schwarzenegger but only 58 percent of Democrats favor Angelides.

"Independents are choosing Schwarzenegger over Angelides by a wide margin (42% to 23%). Schwarzenegger’s lead in Republican-leaning areas is commanding -- 30 points in the Central Valley and 23 points in the Southern California counties outside of Los Angeles. Angelides’ performance in key Democratic enclaves is less convincing: He leads by 10 points in the San Francisco Bay Area, while Schwarzenegger actually enjoys a slight lead in Los Angeles (41% to 36%). And finally, Democrats (42%) are much less likely than Republicans (58%) to be satisfied with their gubernatorial choices."

Nearly two thirds of Democrats (65%), Republicans (63%), and likely voters generally (64%) say they're very or fairly closely following news about the coming November election...but "this level of interest is low by historical standards. In August 2002 -- prior to the last scheduled gubernatorial election -- 74 percent of likely voters were closely following election news. As a barometer of voter interest, this comparison is worrisome: The 2002 governor’s election had the lowest general election turnout of registered voters in the state’s history," the release said.

PPIC said its survey indicates Californians are disillusioned with government...and Californians want to be the deciders.

PPIC's survey on "Californians and the Future" is the first in a four-survey series made possible with funding from The James Irvine Foundation. "Findings of this survey are based on a telephone survey of 2,001 California adult residents interviewed between August 16 and August 23, 2006. Interviews were conducted in English or Spanish. The sampling error for the total sample is +/- 2% and for the 989 likely voters is +/- 3%," PPIC said in its release.

PPIC, a private, nonprofit entity, says it's "dedicated to improving public policy through objective, nonpartisan research on the economic, social, and political issues that affect Californians. The institute was established in 1994 with an endowment from William R. Hewlett. PPIC does not take or support positions on any ballot measure or on any local, state, or federal legislation, nor does it endorse, support, or oppose any political parties or candidates for public office."