(7MetroNews WEST VIRGINIA Tuesday 9/3 Release RESEARCH AMERICA West Virginians less optimistic about the economy than the Nation as a whole West Virginia’s Economy National Economy 37% 49% 31% 30% Better Staying the Same 30% 21% Better Staying the Same Worse Worse n=501 Q: In your opinion is West Virginia’s economy getting better, worse or staying the same? Q: In your opinion is National economy getting better, worse or staying the same? Hiring workers who can pass a drug test is considered a major barrier by 59% of registered voters A MAJOR BARRIER A SMALL BARRIER NOT A BARRIER 28% 13% 59% n=501 Net Barrier = 87% Q: How much of a barrier are the following to economic development in West Virginia Hiring workers who can pass a drug test? Voters believe that finding qualified workers is the second largest barrier to economic development A MAJOR BARRIER A SMALL BARRIER NOT A BARRIER 45% 42% 13% n=501 Net Barrier = 87% Q: How much of a barrier are the following to economic development in West Virginia – Finding qualified workers? Half of registered voters consider finding workers who are educated and have training a small barrier A MAJOR BARRIER 39% A SMALL BARRIER 49% NOT A BARRIER 13% n=501 Net Barrier = 88% Q: How much of a barrier are the following to economic development in West Virginia – Finding workers who are educated and have training? Nearly 40% of voters believe getting workers to show up daily is a major barrier A MAJOR BARRIER 39% A SMALL BARRIER 39% NOT A BARRIER 22% n=501 Net Barrier = 78% Q: How much of a barrier are the following to economic development in West Virginia – Getting workers to show up daily at their place of employment? Environmental regulations are not considered a major barrier – 33% say it’s not a barrier A MAJOR BARRIER A SMALL BARRIER NOT A BARRIER 22% 46% 33% n=501 Net Barrier = 68% Q: How much of a barrier are the following to economic development in West Virginia – Environmental regulations such as West Virginia clean water regulations of streams and rivers?