JCCI hosted Bruce Barcelo today for its monthly Issues and Answers lunchtime discussion, as he presented some of the fascinating results of the 5th Annual Sunshine State Survey. The Sunshine State Survey polls 1,220 residents across the state to examine what and why these residents think the way they do in terms of the quality of Florida.“Residents, residents, residents. Not necessarily voters,” Barcelo said. “We’re not just looking at the people who go to the polls on Election Day.”
And the results?
Floridians are diverse. Florida is the most representatively American state in the North American continent. Most residents of Florida have migrated from other states including Michigan, Indiana, and North Carolina. However, this diversity gives Florida a lack of togetherness as a state both culturally and politically. According to Barcelo, there are actually two Floridas.
Florida number one is mostly democratic, urban, and highly built. Florida number two is independent and suburban.
But there is one thing residents of both Floridas agree on.
There is no hope.
Forty-five percent of residents polled feel Florida is worse than it was five years ago and only 12 percent of residents polled feel that Florida will better in the next five years.
“This is not a positive thinking population!” Barcelo said.
Floridians are extremely pessimistic about quality of life improvements, they don’t agree with legislative policies. Floridians want to see that the state budget is allocated fairly between taxes and spending cuts, and that the elected officials they have put into office are human beings with integrity.
To be a Floridian means to push for meaningful results. Especially in areas concerning job growth and increasing teacher pay.
“$8 million allocated doesn’t mean anything to these people,” Barcelo said. “But show them a new high school curriculum, a good teacher in a classroom; these are things that make sense. Politic words don’t work.”
Floridians know they’re not getting what they want, but there is a huge rift between Floridian public opinion and Floridian public policy. Residents are skeptical that their tax dollars are being spent correctly, and they don’t know how to push for policies that will “get it done.”
Most Floridians disagree on what the best course of action is to arrive to the vision of a better Florida. The key is to come together to work toward a common goal. Diverse opinion is the spark that leads to great ideas.
“Florida is a great state,” said Barcelo.
JCCI was honored to have Bruce Barcelo share his data over the lunchtime hour on his birthday. A surprise birthday cookie was constructed for him by JCCI CEO Skip Cramer who drilled a candle successfully through a chocolate chip cookie. The group sang “Happy Birthday” to Barcelo as he munched on his cookie and thanked him for joining us today.
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