Small Town News

Poll shows North Dakotans have financial optimism

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North Dakotans have indicated the economy should be the country's top priority even though they feel good about their personal financial situations and the state's economy.

According to the latest Prairie Poll, 62 percent said they are greatly concerned about the mounting national deficit, but they are very optimistic about the health of North Dakota's economy and their own financial prospects for the future.

Fifty-five percent of people polled statewide said the economy should be the nation's top priority -- above health care reform and terrorism protection.

Sixty-two percent said they are more optimistic about North Dakota's financial future than they were a year ago, and just under half said their own financial picture has improved since last year.

But when it comes to the national economy, 56 percent said they have even less optimism than they did a year ago -- when the extent of the nation's financial woes were just becoming apparent.

Given the pessimism about the national economy, few back the expansion of government services. Nearly 70 percent of those polled said they see controlling taxes as more of a necessity.

People polled in the western part of the state appear more optimistic about North Dakota's economy than their counterparts elsewhere.

For instance, respondents in Stanley and Watford City, 78 and 76 percent respectively, said they are more optimistic about the state's economy now than they were a year ago. People polled in Lisbon were more pessimistic, with only one third assured of the state's future.

Respondents in the Rolla area had 56 percent optimistic, with 18 percent not and 26 percent undecided.

People in New Town are most optimistic about the future of their personal finances, with 70 percent saying their outlook is more positive than a year ago.

Conversely, people in Lisbon were most likely to say they are less optimistic about their personal finances. Rolla area opinion evened out at 50 percent happier this year.

People polled in Crosby are the most pessimistic when it comes to the national economy, with 74 percent saying they feel worse about the country's financial prospects now than they did a year ago. In the Rolla area, 46 percent said they are not optimistic about the nation's financial situation while 36 percent said they were.

People in Kenmare and Carring-ton see eye to eye on the need for controlling tax increases, with 82 percent of people polled in those towns saying controlling taxes is more important than expanding government services. Sixty-six percent of the respondents in The Star's area agreed with them, while 28 percent said they want more government services.

The towns with people voicing the highest degree of concern about the national deficit were Carrington, with 76 percent saying they are greatly concerned, and Watford City and Lisbon with 72 percent each.

In the The Star's area 44 percent voiced great concern, 40 percent indicated mild concern and 16 percent said they were not concerned at all.

The poll questioned people in 11 communities served by newspapers in New Town, Watford City, Stanley, Kenmare, Lisbon, Garrison, Carrington, Crosby, Napoleon, Grafton and Rolla.



Copyright 2009 Turtle Mountain Star, Rolla, North Dakota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 Turtle Mountain Star Rolla, North Dakota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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