Poll: State economic optimism down

Optimism about the economy continued to evaporate during the first half of 2008, according to the latest Oklahoma Poll.

Only 4 percent of the 750 likely voters surveyed July 19-23 by SoonerPoll.com for the Tulsa World and KOTV, channel 6, said the national economy was improving, while more than 80 percent said it is getting worse.

In January, 11 percent said the national economy was improving, and 73 percent said it was declining.

Thirteen percent thought Oklahoma's economy was continuing to grow in the July survey, compared to 24 percent in January.

In July, 10 percent said their personal situations were improving, compared to 28 percent in January.

"I haven't had any problems yet, but if it keeps going I might," said poll respondent Charlene Baldwin of Tulsa. "Everything I read scares me."

In past surveys, Oklahomans have tended to view the state's economy more favorably than the nation's. That remained the case in the most recent poll, but just over half of those responding nevertheless thought Oklahoma's economy was deteriorating, too.

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