Mark Baldassare
Mark Baldassare
change governor key looking measures moved negative public sign support voters
There's still a long way to go, but the governor is still looking to find the key to what will change public opinion. While his measures may not have moved in a negative direction, there's no sign that voters have any more inclination to support his package.
ballot connects current voters
Voters see little on the ballot that connects to their current concerns.
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It's an unfortunate irony that state leaders were unable to reconcile their differences, while voters - who are often deeply split along partisan lines - were very much in agreement. This was an opportunity to give the public something it collectively wanted.
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This would be unprecedented. I think it will be a real challenge to explain to voters a plan of this magnitude.
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This is a real test for the governor. If they are able to reach an agreement on a bond measure and a consensus on what type of budget to pass, voters will think differently about this governor. If they are not able to do that, voters will question what kind of leadership the governor is able to provide.
appears bond deal last seemed stake understand unlike viewed voters willing year
He's being viewed as someone with a lot at stake in the bond deal but one who was willing to compromise. Unlike last year when he seemed to be saying, 'My way or the highway,' this year he appears to be conciliatory. He seemed to be willing to settle, and voters understand that.
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It has huge implications for how campaigns are going to operate if 40 percent of voters are going to make up their minds before the media blitz that occurs right before an election.
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The public's frustration with the state of education is palpable. They see lots of rhetoric but little progress.
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The public is frustrated and disappointed with what they see as a lack of progress in improving the quality of education. Because the issue is so important to them, (voters) want to see officials at all levels engaged, even if they're not directly involved (in education).
attitudes deep ignore run
These attitudes run deep and wide. To ignore them could be politically perilous.
ballot competing headed june plans
Essentially, all of these competing plans that were headed for the June ballot were very popular.
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People are very concerned about the direction of the economy, rising gasoline prices and the ability of the government to respond to the terrible things that are happening around us, such as natural disasters. They're looking to this special election and they really can't draw a connection between what concerns them the most and what seems to be the purpose and the emphasis of the special election.
borrowing resolve short term
Borrowing in the short term has become the way to resolve these impasses.
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I think I'm most surprised at the degree to which people are pessimistic about education and the extent to which they lack confidence and trust in state government in general. This is one of the reasons -- at the state level at least -- that people are reluctant to raise their own taxes.