MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT) -- A new poll suggests Tennesseans are pessimistic about their future financial prospects, even though experts say the state’s economic future actually looks promising.
Middle Tennessee State University last week released a survey that asked 600 Tennesseans about their standard of living. Sixty-seven percent responded that they’re happy with their current buying power. But when asked about future earnings, only 34 percent thought their financial circumstances would continue to improve.
WMOT turned to mid-state economist Murrat Arik to ask if those fears were justified.
“The perception of individuals surveyed is kind of contrary to what we are experiencing currently in Tennessee. From the job creation and wage perspective I don’t see any reason to worry about the future.”
Dr. Arik says the only dark economic cloud on the state’s horizon at the moment is that too few Tennesseans are qualified to hold down the expected high-tech jobs of the future.
Arik says he thinks the chaotic politics of an election year, along with a drop in commodity prices and stock market values, may be to blame for the gloomy outlook.
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