POLL: Californians List Cost of Living As Their Top Concern, Elected Officials Bend to Special Interests

LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, the California Alliance (EnviroVoters, United Food and Commercial Workers, and Consumer Attorneys of California) released new polling in partnership with Tulchin Research. Californians across the state say rising costs for everyday essentials, including gas, groceries, housing, and utilities, are forcing families to make difficult tradeoffs just to stay afloat, with most voters identifying economic pressure as the single biggest challenge shaping their lives right now.

The rising cost of groceries and gas was listed as a top concern of 84% of voters, followed by housing costs (78%) and health care costs (77%), showing that affordability is the defining issue for many Californians. Frustration with government is nearly as strong as economic stress. Large majorities cite reducing corruption in government (78%) and protecting democracy and the rule of law (77%) as top priorities, reflecting a deep sense that the political system is not working for everyday people.

“Californians are frustrated because everyday voters are kept second to the corporate polluters who manipulate the system for themselves,” said Mike Young, Executive Director, California Environmental Voters. “Voters see government serving powerful and wealthy special interests who make a profit while communities suffer. This research makes clear that Californians are demanding leadership that puts them first, holds corporations accountable, and delivers real relief in the face of the affordability crisis.”

The research also found that corporate polluters’ messaging is falling flat with voters. Voters are steadfast over the last year that corporate accountability is the solution for affordability. They know the climate crisis is driving an affordability crisis and they know corporate greed is making it worse. Time and time again, voters are embracing values on clean energy, conservation, transitioning from fossil fuels and making corporate polluters pay their fair share. 

Reports show that Big Oil spent $34M on lobbying alone last year and what we saw was a legislative year marked significantly by delivering them their wishlist. This research shows that this is largely at odds from where voters really are and what they want and expect from their legislative representatives.

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