Puerto Ricans concerned with economy, crime, status.

Univision Radio Public Opinion reveals failing grades for Fortuño, Cordero, Gregorat; Judicial Branch’s image at an all-time low, 44% of population wants to solve P.R. status 

Editor’s note: This weeks poll gauges the perception of Puerto Rico residents regarding what’s happening on the island. The opinion survey, commissioned by Univision Radio, provides potent insights into some of the most relevant issues and hot-button topics that impact the overall quality of life in Puerto Rico ranging from the economic crisis, expectations for the future, the public image of elected officials and the potential status plebiscite. The poll was conducted by Grupo Inmark P.R. 

The exclusive Univision Radio Public Opinion & Citizens Poll was conducted among registered voters from around the island last month from April 5-23. The survey, which consisted of 1,000 face-to-face interviews, asked participants to compare their perceptions of the economic crisis and the performance of top government agencies and elected officials more than a year after the Fortuño administration took office. 

The economy

Puerto Ricans have endured a local economic recession that seems to have no end in sight for many. A significant 57% of respondents offered a pessimistic view of the current economic crisis compared with a year ago. While the overall sentiment among island residents is that the economic situation is extremely difficult, there seems to be a slight improvement in the overall mood of islanders regarding this issue.

Interestingly, the negative opinion gap regarding the economy has consistently decreased over the past two years, going from a -77 in September 2008 to a -72 in September 2009 and then down again to a -48 in April 2010. That trend represents a 29-point improvement during the past 19 months, indicating perhaps that for many Puerto Ricans the worst that could happen to the economy has already happened. 

Although Puerto Ricans tend to judge the island’s overall economic situation harshly, when asked to compare it to other countries, opinions tend to be slightly favorable. In fact, 44% of those polled think the Puerto Rican economy is doing better or much better than other places. In contrast, only 24% of those asked said the island’s economy is worse or much worse.

An interesting outcome of the Univision Radio survey came when respondents were asked what they consider the main problems facing Puerto Rico. A whopping 41% said crime is by far the major concern. A staggering 80% cited crime among the top-three problems affecting the island. 

Economic-related issues came in a distant second at 62% with health as the third main area of concern at 53%. Interestingly, political corruption and education tied in fourth place, with 39% of respondents citing those issues among the island’s chief problem areas.

Nearly one-third of islanders (32%) blame an ailing global economy as the leading factor affecting Puerto Rico’s economy. The Health Reform and the government tied in second place as the main culprits of Puerto Rico’s economic doldrums. 

Government by numbers

A little over a year since Gov. Luis Fortuño took office, the overall impression of his administration is too close to call with 31% of those polled stating they can’t see the results of his work and another 9% who think the administration has done nothing at all. Another 31% of survey participants said the administration has done a fair job while 7% said it has done a good job.

When separating the governor from the rest of the administration, 55% of those polled gave him a failing grade of D or F in contrast to 43% of those who gave him either an A, B or C grade. 

Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi got the highest passing grade of all the members in the Fortuño administration with 59% of those polled giving him an A, B or C grade for his work in Congress. It is safe to say that Pierluisi has strategically stayed ahead of hot-button issues like the federal health reform, the issue of birth certificates for Puerto Ricans and most of the push by his statehood-supporting New Progressive Party for a congressionally sanctioned status plebiscite. 

Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority chief Miguel Cordero, Housing Secretary Yessef Cordero and Transportation Secretary Rubén Hernández  Gregorat received failing grades from 69% of those polled.
While the image of government agencies that deal with the general public has suffered during the past year or so, the legislative and judicial branches of the island’s government also slipped. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate received abysmal approval ratings in terms of their image.

The biggest surprise from the Univision Radio Public Opinion poll was the eroding image islanders have of the judicial branch, with 42% of those polled expressing a negative image of what historically has been the island’s most respected branch of government. The negative view of the judicial system comes after a spate of scandals, reversals, controversial decisions and investigations over the past year.  

The status issue

A significant 44% of respondents said solving the status problem is a matter of great importance and urgency. Asked how they would vote in a plebiscite, a significant 48% of those polled said they would cast ballots for statehood while 37% said they would vote for the current commonwealth status if the plebiscite were held today.

However, those favoring the current commonwealth or a more sovereign form of commonwealth combined represented 50% of the poll, still too close to call based on the study’s 3.1% +/-margin
of error.

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