The UMBC Poll finds a third of those surveyed name the cost of living as the most important issue facing Maryland. Taxes and energy costs also rank high. The poll also finds many Marylanders say they are worried about the future.
As gas prices top $4 per gallon in Maryland, a new poll out Tuesday morning shows a lot of anxiety about the economy.
A UMBC Institute of Politics poll of 804 Maryland adults find 33% name cost of living, affordability and prices as the most important issue facing the state. Fifteen percent rank taxes, spending or the state budget as the most important issue, while 8% rank the economy or jobs as most important and 6% name energy or utility costs.
“People are angry and concerned. They’re angry and they’re worried and they recognize that it’s more expensive this year than they were last year, said UMBC Institute of Politics Director Mileah Kromer.
Of non-economic issues, 15% named politicians, President Donald Trump, state or local government as the most important issue, while 6% named crime or public safety.
Kromer said that the poll found most Marylanders say their basic expenses cost more than they did last year.
“72 percent say that groceries are less affordable than they were last year, 71 percent say the same thing about gasoline. About 74 percent say electricity is less affordable. Housing less affordable at 65 percent,” Kromer said.
The poll asked Marylanders to describe their electric bills in their own words.
UMBC Institute of Politics Poll Director Mileah Kromer talks with WBAL’s Robert Lang
One respondent said of their bill, “It’s been going up consistently.”
Kromer said 13% of the respondents said they were angry about their electric bills.
“Angry and confused. I don’t know why it’s suddenly so much higher despite my usage being the same,” was another respondent’s reaction.
Kromer said the poll also found that most Marylanders are worried about costs in the future.
The poll found 50% of respondents were either “very worried” or “extremely worried” about health care and medical costs, while 46% were worried about saving enough for retirement, 40% were worried about saving enough to buy a home, 39% were worried about affording groceries and food and 39% were worried about utility bills.
The poll results were released as the Maryland General Assembly is considering a number of bills to help lower utility prices and limit food price increases.
The poll was also released as AAA-Mid Atlantic announced Monday that the average gasoline price in Maryland rose to $4 per gallon. It is the first time gasoline prices have reached that level since August 2022. Gasoline prices have risen by $1.06 since U.S. attacks on Iran began Feb. 28.
The UMBC Poll surveyed 804 Maryland adults, including 731 registered voters, from March 17-22.
The poll was conducted by landline, cellphone and text-to-web.
It has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3.5%
This is the first of three sections of the UMBC poll to be released this week.
On Wednesday, the poll results measuring Gov. Wes Moore’s approval rating will be released.
On Thursday, the poll results measuring preferences for news sources and Major League Baseball teams will be released.