IE residents gloomy about economy

With a sagging housing market, rising unemployment and higher gas prices throwing the nationwide economy a curve ball, it's no wonder San Bernardino County residents are a bit gloomier than they were in 2006.

That's what the 2007 Inland Empire Annual Survey says -- a report released on Tuesday by the Institute of Applied Research and Policy Analysis at Cal State San Bernardino.

It also says the financial well-being of local residents is at an all-time low since the survey's inception, which was in 1997. A good deal of these residents live in the High Desert and Ontario area.

"43 percent (of respondents) expect to be better off financially a year from now. That figure was 51 percent in the 2006 survey," the report states.

The survey comprises the results of more than 2,300 respondents living in San Bernardino and Riverside counties who gave their thoughts about the economy, private and public services, environmental initiatives, water conservation and other issues.

You can find the report by visiting http://iar.csusb.edu/reports.htm.