Californians Discuss Economy

Most Californians think the state´s economy is in a slump but nearly half believe it will perk up next year.

A poll conducted by the Field Institute found that 51 percent of

Californians describe the state as being in economic bad times. Twenty-one percent feel the state is in economic good times, while a quarter think California is between good and bad times. 46 percent say the state is in a mild economic slowdown instead of a recession or depression, and residents are more optimistic now than earlier this year about an economic recovery, the survey found.

Forty-eight percent predict that the economy will improve over the next year, 30 percent say it will stay the same and 18 percent expect it to deteriorate.

In May, nearly half of those surveyed in the midst of the statewide energy crisis predicted the economy would erode in the coming year.