FYI. Amineh


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:33:11 -0700
From: BuRSST for Prosperity <BuRSST@...>
To: BuRSST for Prosperity <BuRSST@...>
Subject: Local Poll: Washington Residents Economic Concerns - Yet,
Still Hopeful



> April Electronic Memo
> <<...OLE_Obj...>>
>
> Washingtonians worry their paychecks won't cover
> basic costs in 2008 -
> yet they stay hopeful of local improvements
>
> Nearly eight of 10 people say they will take their
> concerns to the voting booth this November
>
> Renton, WA (April 16, 2008) - A nationwide survey
> released today by the Northwest Area Foundation reveals more than
> one-quarter of Washingtonians worry that their total family income will
> not be enough to meet their family's expenses and bills in 2008. While
> Washington's economy has remained steady compared to other states
> nationally, access to family-wage jobs, default of subprime loans, higher
> gas prices, and stagnant wages has, according to the NWAF survey, almost
> half of our state's residents rating the local economy as fair or poor.
> Nearly two-thirds say they are worried the economy will get worse this
> year. The poll numbers show:
>
> - Twenty-six percent worry most or all of the time
> their total family income won't be enough to meet bills.
> - Forty-five percent rate the local economy as fair
> or poor.
> - Sixty percent say they are worried the economy
> might get worse in the next year.
>
> Washingtonians say they are aware of their
> neighbors' tough grind - 42 percent say they personally know someone who
> works two or more jobs yet still struggles to make ends meet. With the
> rising cost of living in King County, a strong majority of Washington
> residents say it takes twice the federal poverty threshold, $21,027, to
> meet basic needs for a family of four: 76 percent say it takes at least
> $40,000 for a family of four, while 46 percent say it takes more than
> $40,000 for a family of four.
>
> Yet, Washington State residents still hold out hope
> and see opportunity - 81 percent feel the number of people struggling
> could be reduced. "Americans are fully aware that the struggle to make
> ends meet has become harder and more pervasive all around this country and
> in all kinds of communities - urban, rural and American Indian
> reservations," said Gary Cunningham, vice president of programs and chief
> program officer for the Northwest Area Foundation <http://www.nwaf.org/>.
> "As significantly, the hope and drive we've seen in communities to reduce
> poverty, build prosperity and take back their destinies, is also borne out
> in this national poll."
>
> Despite their own personal financial worries, 86
> percent of Washingtonians report they would like to do more to help those
> who are struggling to make ends meet. Among the steps residents are
> willing to take, 60 percent say they would pay $50 more per year in taxes
> if it would go to people in their community. Plus, a large majority (88
> percent) says it would be a good idea to hold a community discussion on
> helping those struggling. These sentiments and increasing public will
> over the last few years drove the Northwest Area Foundation to invest
> locally in a community-based program named BuRSST for Prosperity
> <http://www.bursst.org/> (details below).
>
> An overwhelming number of Washingtonians say their
> concerns about people struggling to make ends meet will be an issue in
> this year's elections: 86 percent think it is important for elected
> officials to help those who are struggling, while 76 percent say they will
> take that belief to the voting booth.
>
> "Circumstances that push families into poverty are
> very complex. To address issues of poverty it will require the leadership
> of committed elected officials, supported by their communities, to create
> the opportunities that will allow families to be economically successful,"
> said Carol Gregory, director of BuRSST for Prosperity, a local ten-year
> poverty-reduction initiative that connects low-income residents in South
> King County to the assets and services available in their own
> neighborhoods and communities.
> For full details on the national poll, including
> actions people are willing to take to help others, priorities for
> lawmakers, and optimism for the future, visit www.nwaf.org.
>
> The Northwest Area Foundation (NWAF) commissioned
> Lake Research Partners (LRP) to conduct a national tracking survey to
> explore the public's perception of poverty in one's own community,
> attitudes toward the roles of local elected officials, and ways in which
> to address the issue. The survey was conducted among 4,000 Americans age
> 18 and older, from February 8-29, 2008. Eight hundred interviews were
> conducted nationally, and oversamples of 400 were conducted in each of the
> following eight states: Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota,
> Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. The oversamples were weighted down
> to reflect their true proportion in the country. The margin of error is
> +/-3.5 percentage points for national and +/-5.0 points for state results.
> This is the third survey of its kind, replicating studies NWAF and LRP
> released in March 2006 and April 2007.
>
> -END-
>
> The Northwest Area Foundation is invested in helping
> communities in Washington State reduce poverty for the long term - one of
> those large investments is in a local community-based program named BuRSST
> for Prosperity.
>
> BuRSST for Prosperity <http://www.bursst.org/> is a
> ten-year venture designed to build prosperity and community assets in
> Burien, Renton, SeaTac, Skyway, and Tukwila (BuRSST). BuRSST is funded by
> the Northwest Area Foundation and sponsored by Children's Home Society of
> Washington.
>
> BuRSST for Prosperity's main areas of focus is
> engaging and mobilizing the community around economic development and
> education; working to build bridges within the community, develop
> community collaborations, and attract investments to the BuRSST area.
> Through cultivating local leadership, establishing critical partnerships
> and identifying and mitigating public policy barriers, BuRSST hopes to
> facilitate lasting change that improves the lives of low-income families.
>
> # # #
>
> Contact: Karan Gill, Government Relations & Communications
> BuRSST for Prosperity <http://www.bursst.org/>,
> (206) 527.3886
> Email: KaranG@...
>
>