North country voices worry over economy and policy impacts in JCC survey
WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) – Jefferson Community College has released its most recent survey that delved into what north country residents thought about current issues.
The survey from the Center for Community Studies takes a look what residents of Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence and Oswego counties think about local, state and national issues.
Jefferson Community College gets $4 million grant for training center
One of the main issues for area residents are 82-percent feel that something needs to be done about vacant and/or blighted properties.
A total of 53-percent of residents survey feel that Canadian tourism is important to the area's economy. Overwhelmingly, a total of 69-percent feel that tariffs will increase the cost of items purchased in Northern New York.
Other economic issues that were a concern was economy and jobs (77 percent) and inflation (76 percent).
New York Governor Kathy Hochul only showed a 16-percent favorability rating while 71-percent view her in a negative light.
North country residents said a 69-percent rate that New York State is headed in the wrong direction. A total of 45-percent think the country is going in the wrong direction.
A couple of things area residents weren't happy with was the recent handling of the prison guard strike with 67-percent saying the state didn't go a good job. A total of 70-percent don't approve of New York State paying for the health care of undocumented immigrants through Medicaid.
President Donald Trump still holds a high favorability rating in the north country with a 49-percent rating. However, 22-percent of Trump voters making less than $50,000 couldn't guarantee if they would vote for the President.
Further results of the survey can be found at www.sunyjefferson.edu/ccs.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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