San Joaquin Valley Voters View Air as Serious Health Problem and Want Stronger Action Taken By State Government

But the numbers are even more impressive because it is in the Southern area of the San Joaquin Valley by far the most Republican (a 9.9% spread compared with a .8% advantage in the Northern subregion) that this issue is seen as a major one and one that demands aggressive, not weak action.

These numbers have both political and policy importance. Take for example, SB 240 by Democratic Senator Dean Florez which would fund increased action by the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District by allowing them to raise motor vehicle license fees by up to $30 per vehicle. That bill has passed the Senate, and recently passed the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on a 6-3 party line vote. One of the votes against it was from Republican Greg Aghazarian who represents the counties of San Joaquin and Stanislaus in the valley. As we will see from the numbers, even Republicans support increased activity in this area.

Here are the numbers from the PPIC survey:

• While 25% of Californians say that air pollution is a "big problem" in their regions, in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) that number if 56%, surpassing the Los Angeles and Inland Empire areas where the figure was 49% in each. Another 37% in the SJV say it is "somewhat of a problem," bringing the total that identify this as a problem to 84% of the region, as compared with 72% of the state as a whole. In the South SJV, the combined figure is 88% and it is 79% in the North sub region.

• 30% in the SJV say they are "very dissatisfied" with the air quality in their region (compared with 14% statewide) and another 25% are "somewhat dissatisfied, combining for 55% who are not satisfied. This surpasses Los Angeles (53%) and the Inland Empire (49%) as to dissatisfaction. The South SJV has by far the most "very dissatisfied" view with 38% of its residents in this category as opposed to 18% in the North.

• 35% of SJV adults say that air pollution is a "very serious" health threat to them and their immediate family compared with 25% in the state. The number rises to 42% in the South SJV and is the statewide average, 25% in the North SJV. All in all, 72% of the SJV views this a either a very serious or somewhat serious health threat, significantly higher than the statewide average of 59%.

• 52% of SJV residents report that they or a family member suffer from asthma or other respiratory problems (55% in the South and 48% in the North) versus 40% for the state as a whole.

• Where by a 50% to 42% margin, Californians think that air pollution is a more serious health threat in lower-income areas than other areas in their region, SJV residents feel the contrary by a margin of 57% to 36% and there are no significant sub region differences in the SJV. This makes sense since in other areas of the state, especially coastal counties, it is possible to escape air pollution by living on the coast or closer to it than the inland areas, given prevailing wind conditions.

• Most Californians and SJV residents want the state government to have the primary responsibility to set air quality standards in their region. Around 70% statewide do not know enough to say if they approve or disapprove of what their regional air district is doing and the remaining 30% are essentially split. The same is true for the Northern SJV, but in the South another story is emerging. By 21% to 12%, they disapprove of the regional air district's actions.

But here are the numbers that are most revealing. In a region where agriculture and farming is by far the biggest industry (Only in Madera County is it exceeded by mineral mining), thee is nonetheless strong support for tougher standards on agriculture. 50% of all SJV adults say they want this, even if it increases the cost for agriculture to operate, another 7% says yes, but only if it is not more costly, and 35% are not in favor. The statewide numbers are a point or two different, but well within the margin of error of this poll.

And 48% of SJV Republicans want these tougher standards on agriculture even if it costs more! 59% of SJV Democrats and 585 of "independents" take this position and amongst all likely voters it is 51%.

When it comes to tougher standards on commercial and industrial activities, 62% of Republicans are in favor even with higher costs (versus 61% statewide). 77% of Democrats and 68% of independents favoring this, bring SJV voters as a whole to 67% to 20% in favor of this.

Bottom line: Air pollution is a big issue in the San Joaquin Valley and voters want stronger action from their state government. The population in this region is projected to double by 2040 according to Department of Finance figures. It is growing faster than the state. By time next census is taken in 2010(read reapportionment), it is expected to have in excess of 4 million. Politicians had better take notice when powerful special interest oppose the steps needed to clean the air, and side with the voters--if not for their own hides, for the good of public policy in the state.