1 has the economy changed what oregonians value?
TRANSCRIPT
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Has the economy changed what Oregonians value?
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Welcome
• Tim Hibbits, DHM Research Partner An economic survey of Oregonians sponsored by PGE and PBA
• Sandra McDonough, PBA President and CEO An Economic Health Checkup study for the Greater Portland Metropolitan Area
• Q&A
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About Portland General Electric
4,000-square-mile operating area
821,000 customers
43% of Oregonians depend on PGE
for electricity
52 cities served
Working continuously to improve service to your region:• More than $33 million in upgrades to
Washington County, Lake Oswego, Wilsonville area over past few years
• New Scholls and Cornell substations and feeders (2009-2012) $10.3 million
• Sunset Substation upgrades and 35kv feeders to new D1X Fab to support Intel Ronler Campus (2011-12) $9.8 million
• New Horizon bulk power substation (2011-12) $11 million
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Economic development
Long-term economic vitality of our region a top priority
We can’t be successful unless you are successful
Working with WEA, government and business to:
• Retain and grow existing companies • Attract new businesses to region• Merged Greenlight Greater Portland
and Regional Partners with support of Tom Hughes, Mayor Denny Doyle and Mayor Jerry Willey, and others
Westside enjoying fastest job growth in the region, with 4,900 jobs added 12 month period.
Intel Ronler Acres Campus
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Jointly sponsored and funded by PGE and PBA
Goal: Learn how Oregonians are responding to economy
Identify their key areas of concern
Survey overview
www.dhmresearch.com
Portland-Salem Area Voter Survey:Perceptions of and Priorities for Economic
Opportunities and Development
February 2011
Portland General ElectricPortland Business Association
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Research Objective
Purpose: To gauge voter opinions in the Portland-Salem area about the economic and job climate in the area.
This survey also assessed voter priorities and goals for future economic and job development, and where these rank against other quality of life priorities.
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Methodology
Telephone Survey o Scientific telephone surveyo Conducted February 4-7, 2011o 600 registered voters
• N=250 City of Portland• N=250 Multnomah County (outside City of Portland), Washington
County, and Clackamas County• N=100 Marion County
o Questionnaire length of 17 minuteso Quotas by age, gender, and area of city for a
representative sampleo Margin of error +/- 4.0% at the 95% confidence level
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Key Findings
General Attitudes and Awareness about the Area’s Economic Climate
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General Attitudes of and Awareness about the Area’s Economic Climate
Voters are lukewarm about the general direction of things in their area.
11Q1
N=600
Direction of the Portland-Salem Area
This lack of enthusiasm about the area’s direction is linked to their economic concerns, which a large plurality considers
to be the biggest issue facing the area.
12Q2
Top Issue to Address N=600Employment opportunities/job opportunities 38%
Educational funding 6%
Economy conditions – general 6%
Too much government spending 4%
Education/schools – general 4%
Lack of government financial planning/budgeting 3%
Taxes – general 3%
Improving infrastructure such as roads, bridges, highways, etc. 3%
Poor government leadership 2%
Crime – general 2%
Social/community services 2%
Cost of living 2%
Nothing/none/refused 2%
Don’t know 4%
Most Important Issue to Address in the Portland-Salem Area (Open-Ended)
What would you say is the biggest issue facing our area at this time? (open-ended)
13Q2
“We have a high level of unemployment and the economy is terrible.”
“The economy. No employment and the falling prices for houses. Many people have mortgages that are bigger than the house is worth.”
“Jobs. There are not many jobs out there that you can live on and when you do find a job, they are so far away.”
“Jobs and income. Our state is running out of money and people aren’t paying taxes because they don’t have an income.”
“The economic situation and the way it affects the revenue the government gets.”
Over five in ten think we are in a severe or mild recession, or worse.
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N=600
Q14
Current Condition of the Economy in This Area
Just under 5 in 10 think their household is worse off economically than it was two years ago.
15Q15
Worse off45%
About the same40%
Better off15%
N=600
General Economic Condition of Household Compared to Two Years Ago
Unaided concerns about the economy are validated when asked to rank their concern for 11 issues.
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N=600
Q3-13
Top Box (9+10)54%
47%
47%
45%
35%
26%
19%
24%
19%
12%
21%
Current Level of Concern Over Issues Facing the Area
No concern at all Very concerned
54% of voters rate their concern about the economy at the top of the scale (9+10).
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N=600
Q7
Current Level of Concern About the Economy
No concern at all Very concerned
Mean: 8.3
And just under five in ten (47%) give a top concern score for creating good wage jobs.
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N=600
Q13
Current Level of Concern About Creating Good Wage Jobs
No concern at all Very concerned
A plurality thinks incomes in the area are comparable to the national average.
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N=600
Q22
Incomes in the Portland-Salem Area are….
But when told its 10% lower than the national average, two-thirds express concern and dissatisfaction.
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N=600
Q24
I am concerned and not satisfied that this area has a lower income level than the national average.
Quality of life starts with having a good, family wage job. Having a lower average income level negatively affects the
area in many ways, including making it tougher for families to get ahead economically, and lower incomes means less funding for vital programs like education.
I am not really concerned that this area has a lower income level than the national average. Too many
cities and places do nothing but chase the dollar and give in to business interests too easily. We are different in that
respect and we have a quality of life that is second to none, and that is a fair tradeoff to make for having a
lower average income level.
Don’t know
Which Statements Comes Closest to Your Point of View?
And they point the cause at lack of economic development and job opportunities.
21Q23
Reasons for Lower Per Person Income than National Average N=600Economic development/bringing in industry 27%
Employment/job opportunities 25%
Lack of high paying jobs 19%
High taxes 11%
Too much government control/infringement 10%
Cost of living 8%
Unqualified workforce 5%
Lack of quality education 5%
Decline in logging/timber industry 3%
Housing market in decline 3%
Poor government leadership 3%
Majority of population is rural 3%
Lack of manufacturing jobs in area 3%
Illegal immigration 3%
Dependence of government services 3%
Businesses are outsourcing jobs elsewhere 3%
None/nothing/refused 4%
Don’t know 9%
Reasons for the Portland-Salem Area Having A Lower Income Per Person
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Economic Development Priorities
The area electorate does not rate elected officials well for addressing their top issue – the economy.
23Q17
N=600
Job Performance Rating of Local Elected Officials at Finding Ways to Improve the Economy
They think it’s more important to focus on jobs than the environment at this time, and don’t think elected officials
are doing that.
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N=600
Q26/ Q27
Preferred Focus vs. Perceived Focus
4 in 10 think the actions and policies of local governments haven't made a difference or have had a negative effect on
the business climate. Only 15% think they’ve had a positive effect.
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N=600
Q18
Effects of Local Government Actions and Policies Over Last Five Years
And although a narrow majority think it’s important to focus economic policies on bringing in larger businesses…
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N=600
Q25
It is good to have small, locally owned businesses, but that won’t cut it when it comes to creating enough
family wage jobs to have a health local economy. Our economic development priority should focus on
attracting, retaining, and expanding larger businesses that create large numbers of good wage
jobs.
This area can have a strong and sustainable economy based mainly on small, locally owned businesses. Our economic development priority ought to focus on creating more small locally owned businesses in the
area.
Don’t know
Economic Development Strategy Preferences
There are differences in opinions between Portland voters and those in the rest of the area.
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N=600
Q25
Our economic development priority should focus on attracting, retaining, and expanding
larger businesses that create large numbers of good wage jobs.
This area can have a strong and sustainable economy based mainly on small, locally owned
businesses.
Don’t know
Economic Development Strategy Preferences by Area
Voters across the area have some skepticism about the need to have of large businesses to have a healthy economy.
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N=600
Q16
48%
47%
Need for Locally Based Large Businesses and Corporations
Despite their skepticism of larger businesses, they want local governments to partner with them to improve the economy.
29
N=600
Q19
Local governments ought to be as helpful and cooperative as they can with the
business community, and partner with them as often as possible.
Local governments ought to deal with the business community in a cautious and
skeptical manner, and keep in mind that they have to regulate business and its
behavior.
Don’t know
Dealing with the Area Business Community
And they may have more trust in businesses than they do their elected officials.
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N=600
Q21
What Entity is More Likely to be Right About an Economic Issue?
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The Economic Image of the Portland Area
While there is agreement that the area can have a healthy economy based on sustainability and local, small
businesses…
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N=600
Q49/ Q54
In this area we are already a leader in the area of smart growth, sustainability and energy
conservation. Even if our economy is not doing well now, we need to be patient and stay the course because it may take some time for our
economic strategy to pay off in job growth.
Here in this area, we have already shown that we can create a healthy economy that is based locally on things like bicycle transportation and tourism, coffee shops, microbreweries, good restaurants,
and music and arts.
Agreement Levels: Local Economic Strategies
Strongly Agree Strongly Disagree
…they strongly agree that it is time to change our priorities.
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N=600
Q51/ Q58
Here in this area we need to change our priorities. It is time we focus more on creating more family wage jobs and less on issues like bike lanes, and other sustainability issues that have gotten so much attention in recent years.
The economy in this area is export driven, and we need to focus just as much on providing
industrial land for development and transportation infrastructure as we do on
density issues and alternative transportation.
Agreement Levels: Need For Change in Local Economic Strategies
Strongly Agree Strongly Disagree
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Future Economic Development Priorities
A diverse array of factors are important to voters’ quality of life, with good jobs, schools rating at the top.
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N=600
Q39-48
Importance Rating of Quality of Life Factors
Not Important At All Extremely Important
Voters want the area to be associated with a good economy and quality, attractive jobs.
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N=600
Q28-38
Preference for Area Reputation in Next Ten Years Top Tier
Do not want at all Very strongly should
As well as an area attractive to small business entrepreneurs and large corporations.
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N=600
Q28-38
Preference for Area Reputation in Next Ten Years:Middle Tier
Do not want at all Very strongly should
And although culture, small businesses, and sustainability are important, they rate lower than a strong economy.
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N=600
Q28-38
Preference for Area Reputation in Next Ten Years: Bottom Tier
Do not want at all Very strongly should
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Q & A
Follow us on Twitter at PortlandGeneral
A Check-up on thePortland-Region’sEconomic Health
Average Wage
Per Capita Income
School Funding
Jobs Summit Action PlanAgreement to redefine quality of life:
Quality of life starts with good jobs that support families and generate tax revenues to pay for important public services like schools, parks, public safety and human services.
Agreement on priorities:• Improve education outcomes• Improve business climate• Expand employment & land supply• Address tax policy issues• Improve access to capital
What You Can Do
• Adopt a strategy to support job growth
• Communicate with legislators and local elected officials about the importance of job creation and retention
• Communicate with fellow community leaders
• Wear a JOBS pin!
For more information:
www.valueofjobs.com