California Voters Skeptical of Lawmakers’ Promises on Affordability, New Poll Shows

TL/DR –

Californians are growing increasingly worried about their financial future, with nearly half feeling worse off than last year and 54% feeling less hopeful about their financial wellbeing, according to a recent UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll. The study also found that the issues of cost of living, housing affordability and homelessness are viewed as the most important for state leaders to address. Despite legislative efforts to tackle these issues, many Californians do not feel hopeful about their financial prospects due to increasing everyday expenses and wages not keeping pace with inflation.

SACRAMENTO — Voters in California voiced their concerns about the state’s high cost of living last November, prompting lawmakers to prioritize affordability issues. As the 2024-2025 legislative session started, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas acknowledged the urgency of the issue in his early December address.

However, despite proposed legislation, a new poll from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies reveals growing pessimism among voters about their economic future. The top issues identified were the cost of living, housing affordability, and homelessness, with almost half voters feeling financially worse off than in the previous year.

Mark DiCamillo, director of the IGS poll, attributes this sentiment to the political and economic climate, especially following President Trump’s re-election and the introduction of new tariffs. Among voters, Democrats outnumber Republicans almost two-to-one, and their optimism about their financial future dropped significantly after Trump’s election.

Democratic-led Legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom are attempting to address California’s high cost of living with new legislation. Despite these efforts, many Californians and Assembly Republican leader James Gallagher believe these measures are insufficient and do not address the core economic problems.

Furthermore, policy decisions during COVID-19 lockdowns have led to higher inflation and rising everyday expenses, causing increased financial strain. According to Sarah Bohn, vice president of the Public Policy Institute of California, inflation has reduced the net wage increase to just 2.9% since January 2020.

Adding to the economic stress is the state’s housing crisis, with housing costs and rent increases making California one of the most expensive states for homebuyers and tenants. Democrats have sought to address this issue through policies promoting new development, but high prices and stringent laws have hindered their efforts.

Policies such as Senate Bill 677 and Senate Bill 681 are being introduced to address the housing crisis and make the state more affordable. However, these are met with skepticism, including from Republicans who believe their own proposals, such as a bill to cut electricity rates by 30%, offer more practical solutions.

Criticizing the approach of Assembly committees, Gallagher called for urgent action to make the state more affordable, “Californians don’t need more government committees, they need real action that cuts their costs,” he stated.

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