1. 2006 Metro Residents Survey What citizens think about the region’s quality of life, leading regional issues, problems and solutions

2. Background An opinion poll – measuring and understanding public opinion Similar to Gallup Poll’s Soul of the City survey in 20 metro areas Provides a time-series – 1982-2006

3. Topics investigated Assets of the region – quality of place Major problems facing the region Transportation solutions The Metropolitan Council, its responsibilities and performance

4. Most attractive feature or asset

5. The most important problem facing the Twin Cities Transportation and traffic, 33%

6. taxes Most important problem: Economy and taxes

7. social Most important problem: Crime and social

8. Most important problem: Transportation and traffic

9. Concern over traffic and transportation Vehicle miles traveled have been growing steadily for years Roads filled – and congestion delays quickly doubled (1996-2000) Public concern erupted – transportation identified by 58% as most important problem (2003)

10. Still a concern? Some bottleneck relief Some drivers have become accustomed to the new commuting environment Congestion delays have not noticeably worsened since 2003

11. The most important problem facing the Twin Cities Transportation and traffic, 33%

12. Support for transportation solutions

13. Metropolitan Council name recognition and public opinion

14. Heard of the Metropolitan Council

15. Approve of performance

16. Importance of Council programs

17. All programs considered very or moderately important by 70–90%

18. 2006 Metro Residents Survey What citizens think about the region’s quality of life, leading regional issues, problems and solutions

19. Overall concern: Top 3 identified problems

20. A more diverse population benefits the region?

21. Where people live – and where they’d prefer to live?