Louisiana Survey: Residents identify economy as most important problem
The top three problems respondents identified in the survey were economy, crime and education. Despite concerns about problems, data shows an upward trend in the public mood. Results from the online survey show an even split between those who believe the state is heading in the wrong direction and those who believe it is going in the right direction. In the telephone survey, 47% of respondents said the state is heading in the wrong direction, a drop from 68% in 2023.
'This year, we're seeing signs of optimism,' said Louisiana Survey Director Michael Henderson, Ph.D. 'A growing number of Louisianians now say the state is heading in the right direction. It's a modest shift, but a meaningful one, given how entrenched negative sentiment has been in recent years.'
Attitude toward state government has also seen an increase in confidence from respondents, with the report showing a growth of 14 percentage points from 2022 to 2025.
See which issues respondents named as the biggest in Louisiana.
Issue
Online Survey
Telephone Survey
Economy
27%
16%
Crime
12%
15%
Education
10%
15%
State budget, taxes, and spending
8%
7%
Infrastructure
6%
8%
Health care
5%
3%
Housing
4%
2%
Coast, environment, and severe weather
3%
4%
Insurance
2%
6%
Immigration
2%
<1%
Other social issues (e.g., abortion, guns)
4%
5%
Other issues
11%
15%
Don't know/Refused
4%
5%
Other survey findings:
Nearly half of the respondents said crime has increased in the last year.
Respondents said the state's criminal system isn't tough enough. The report shows 54% of online survey respondents and 39% of telephone survey respondents said it's not tough enough.
Most respondents are in support of the death penalty for those with murder convictions.
Results show the majority of respondents support marijuana legalization for personal use.
Respondents said the state income tax and state sales tax are too high.
Seventy percent who answered the online and telephone survey support more offshore drilling.
Two-thirds of respondents who have homeowners insurance said premiums went up in the past year.
A large majority of respondents support Louisiana raising salaries for public school teachers. Support dropped some when the question mentioned taxes to fund raises.
Click here to see the full report.
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Louisiana Survey: Residents identify economy as most important problem
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