As midterms approach, USF researchers release findings from Florida public opinion survey regarding impact of inflation

Researchers at the University of South Florida have released results from a statewide survey that measures public opinion on the impact of inflation and attitudes toward government responses to the rising costs of goods and services.   

Among the findings:

How inflation ranks heading into the Nov. 8 midterms:  When asked to identify the issues that will impact their votes this fall, inflation ranked at the top.

• Inflation                         52% 
• Economy/Jobs              48%
• Immigration                  32%
• Abortion                        28%
• Gun Violence/Crime    27%

Impact of inflation over the past year:

• 89% say that inflation has impacted their grocery spending.
• 88% say that inflation has impacted their discretionary spending.
• 68% say that inflation has impacted their travel plans.
• 67% say that inflation has forced them to draw down their savings.
• 65% say that inflation has impacted their ability to pay essential bills.

Floridians’ wages as they relate to inflation:  Among income earners, 80% say that their wages have not kept up with the rising cost of goods and services over the past year.

Inflation’s impact on financial security over the past year: 

• Just over 67% of Floridians say that they have less money available for a personal emergency than they did 12 months ago. 
• Only 7% say that they have more money available for a personal emergency than they did 12 months ago.

How Floridians feel about what is responsible for inflation: 

• More than a third of Floridians (35%) say that the Biden administration’s policies are primarily responsible for the rising costs of goods and services.
• 19% attribute inflation primarily to the COVID-19 pandemic
• 11% attribute inflation primarily to the war in Ukraine.  
• More than three-quarters (77%) say that they are either “somewhat” or “very dissatisfied” with the federal government’s response to the rising cost of goods and services.

The survey included a representative sample of 600 Floridians, fielded Oct. 14 - 23, 2022. Results are reported with a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error +/-4 %.

The complete survey results can be found here.