Voters also believe business leaders need to have a greater say in regional decisions
The Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP) recently commissioned a poll of registered voters to Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties to gauge public opinion about various community issues. The poll questions aligned with the goals of the Partnership’s Orlando Vision 2045 which aims to build on Orlando’s position as a global, creative capital by helping the region become, (1) a Top 10 Innovation Hub, (2) a Region of 15-Minute Cities, and (3) the Number One Place to Live in America.
Some highlights of the results include:
- 88% believe Central Florida is a safe place to live and work.
- 87% feel the region is a good place to raise a family.
- 55% agree that downtown Orlando is a safe and enjoyable place to go to events, have dinner, or enjoy entertainment options.
- 78% believe traffic congestion has a negative impact on the economy.
- 89% stated that improving the region’s overall quality of life would help bring new investments and jobs.
- 72% believe attracting higher-paying jobs is a high priority.
Increasing housing supply and making homes more affordable was easily the top issue for voters when presented with a list of policy issues, including property taxes, schools, traffic congestion, crime, and the environment. Regarding the economy, 72% think attracting better-paying jobs to the region should be a high priority, and investing more in higher education was a high priority to 62% of respondents.
A large majority of those polled, 70%, feel that business leaders need to have a greater say in regional decisions. This result seemingly demonstrates a need for more engagement by the OEP and other business groups in issues that impact the economy and quality of life in Orlando.
While most questions focused on high-level economic or public policy issues, the poll did measure public opinion about the proposed expansion of SunRail service, which is a top priority of the Orlando Economic Partnership. 77% of those surveyed indicated they would likely ride SunRail if it connected to the Orlando International Airport and the theme parks, with 50% indicating they would be very likely. The strong support for expanded service was consistent across all three counties, which backs regional efforts to develop the Sunshine Corridor between the airport and Orlando’s theme parks.
In addition to measuring public opinion on key issues, the inaugural poll will establish baseline data from which the region can track trends across multiple topics. The Partnership intends to conduct the poll annually, with the next poll planned for the spring with results to be shared at the 2026 Regional Leadership Conference.
