Californians are more likely to trust their state government than the feds, survey says

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CALIFORNIANS ARE MORE LIKELY TO TRUST THE STATE THAN THE FEDS

The late former President Ronald Reagan once famously said that the nine most terrifying words in the English language were “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.”

Turns out, those words aren’t so scary for many Californians — depending on which government you’re talking about.

The nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California in September surveyed Californians and found that 42% of them say they trust the state government to do what is right most or all of the time. Not a majority, but significantly more than those who trust the federal government (31%).

Trust in Sacramento has largely been on an uptick over the last decade, up substantially from the 2012 nadir when just 18% had faith in the state government.

Trust in the feds, too, has seen its share of ups and downs, with a lot of 20% in 2011 and a high of 45% in 2002 (when a good portion of the nation rallied around the flag following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001).

As ever, whether you trust in the government depends a lot on your partisan leanings, the survey found.

Two-thirds (66%) of Democrats trust their state government to do what’s right, while just 9% of Republicans do. Independents are more skeptical, with just 32% saying they believe California politicians will do the right thing.

Fewer Democrats favor the federal government, though, with only 40% saying they trust Washington, D.C. Interestingly, more Republicans trust the federal government (14%) than trust California’s government. Independents, as ever, remain skeptical of both, with just 22% saying they trust the feds.

The PPIC also looked at how support breaks down along racial lines.

It found that voters of color (African American, Asian American and Latino) are more likely to trust Sacramento (48% for each demographic) than D.C., where 47% of African Americans, 32% of Asian Americans and 37% of Latinos said they trust it. White voters in general are less trusting of the government, whether in California (34%) or the District of Columbia (24%).

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Today, as we are reminded of the forces of violence, displacement and oppression that tried and failed to eradicate Indigenous communities, I call on all Californians to find meaningful opportunities to uplift, validate and engage with Indigenous peoples and cultures on a global scale.”

- California Gov. Gavin Newsom, in his proclamation declaring Monday “Indigenous Peoples’ Day.”

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