LITTLE ROCK — Arkansans are concerned about the economy but are still optimistic about the direction of the state, according to a University of Arkansas-sponsored poll.
Results of the 13th annual Arkansas Poll were released Wednesday.
“We’re seeing concern about the economy at the highest levels by far in the 13-year history of the Arkansas Poll,” Janine Parry, professor of political science at the University of Arkansas, said in a news release. “The economy has led the list of problems for Arkansans since the 2007 poll, but this year’s results were striking. Fully 67 percent of all respondents and 70 percent of the ‘very likely’ voters named the economy the most important issue facing Arkansas.”
The poll also revealed:
- Five percent or fewer responders named education, taxes or health care and drugs as the state's most pressing issue.
- Sixty-three percent of all respondents and 65 percent of very likely voters favor a state bond issue directing existing fuel taxes to support highway improvements.
- Gov. Mike Beebe has an approval rating of 72 percent, while 44 percent of very likely voters approved of Sen. John Boozman and 48 percent approved of Sen. Mark Pryor.
- Thirty-one percent of very likely voters approve of Barack Obama's performance as president. That was the same rate as 2010, though disapproval ratings increased from 62 percent in 2010 to 64 percent in 2011.
The results were gathered through 800 telephone surveys among a random sample of adult Arkansans.