Spring 2009 Keystone Business Climate Survey: Numeric Results
Total Started Survey: 229
Total Completed Survey: 219 (95.6%)
Section I: Business Climate
1. In general, do you think business conditions in Pennsylvania are better, the same, or worse than they were SIX MONTHS AGO?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
Better | 4.0% | 9 |
Same | 19.9% | 45 |
Worse | 75.7% | 171 |
No Opinion | 0.4% | 1 |
2. LOOKING AHEAD SIX MONTHS, do you think business conditions will be better, the same, or worse than they are now?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
Better | 22.1% | 50 |
Same | 45.6% | 103 |
Worse | 29.2% | 66 |
No Opinion | 3.1% | 7 |
3. Are employment levels at your company higher, the same, or lower, than they were SIX MONTHS AGO?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
Higher | 4.4% | 10 |
Same | 54.0% | 122 |
Lower | 41.6% | 94 |
No Opinion | 0.0% | 0 |
4. LOOKING AHEAD SIX MONTHS, do you anticipate that employment levels at your company will be higher, stay the same, or be lower?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
Higher | 9.7% | 22 |
Same | 74.4% | 169 |
Lower | 12.8% | 29 |
No Opinion | 3.1% | 7 |
5. Have your company’s sales increased, stayed relatively the same, or decreased during the PAST SIX MONTHS?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
Increased | 13.3% | 30 |
Same | 24.3% | 55 |
Decreased | 61.5% | 139 |
No Opinion | 0.9% | 2 |
6. Do you expect your company’s sales to increase, stay relatively the same, or decrease during the COMING SIX MONTHS?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
Increase | 24.0% | 54 |
Same | 48.9% | 110 |
Decrease | 23.6% | 53 |
No Opinion | 3.6% | 8 |
7. At any point in the PAST SIX MONTHS has your company considered moving all or part of its Pennsylvania operations to another state?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
Did move some operations | 1.8% | 4 |
Considered moving some operations | 1.8% | 4 |
Considered moving all operations | 4.9% | 11 |
Moved operations into Pennsylvania | 0.0% | 0 |
Didn’t consider any moves | 91.5% | 204 |
8. Do you foresee at any point in the COMING SIX MONTHS your company considering moving all or part of its Pennsylvania operations to another state?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
May move all operations | 4.9% | 11 |
May move some operations | 4.5% | 10 |
Not considering any moves | 90.6% | 203 |
May move operations INTO Pennsylvania | 0.0% | 0 |
9. In general, do you have a POSITIVE, NEGATIVE or NO OPINION of the job performance of the following individuals?
Positive | Negative | No Opinion | Response Count |
|
President Barack Obama | 26.4% (60) | 63.4% (144) | 10.1% (23) | 227 |
Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke | 22.0% (50) | 49.3% (112) | 28.6% (65) | 227 |
U.S. Senator Arlen Specter | 24.4% (55) | 60.0% (135) | 15.6% (35) | 225 |
U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. | 13.8% (31) | 54.2% (122) | 32.0% (72) | 225 |
U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner | 15.0% (34) | 63.3% (143) | 21.7% (49) | 226 |
Governor Ed Rendell | 13.8% (31) | 75.1% (169) | 11.1% (25) | 225 |
Attorney General Tom Corbett | 37.9% (85) | 12.9% (29) | 49.1% (110) | 224 |
Auditor General Jack Wagner | 13.8% (31) | 13.3% (30) | 72.9% (164) | 225 |
State Treasurer Rob McCord | 6.7% (15) | 15.2% (34) | 78.1% (175) | 224 |
10. In general, do you have a POSITIVE, NEGATIVE, or NO OPINION of the job performance of the following institutions?
Positive | Negative | No Opinion | Response Count |
|
United States Senate | 9.7% (22) | 80.1% (181) | 10.2% (23) | 226 |
United States House of Representatives | 6.6% (15) | 82.7% (187) | 10.6% (24) | 226 |
Pennsylvania Senate | 17.7% (40) | 57.1% (129) | 25.2% (57) | 226 |
Pennsylvania House of Representatives | 12.0% (27) | 62.7% (141) | 25.3% (57) | 225 |
Section II: Issues
11. Do you FAVOR or OPPOSE the Employee Free Choice Act, also known as "Card Check" which would eliminate a secret ballot when employees are voting on whether or not to unionize?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
STRONGLY FAVOR | 1.4% | 3 |
SOMEWHAT FAVOR | 1.8% | 4 |
SOMEWHAT OPPOSE | 8.7% | 19 |
STRONGLY OPPOSE | 80.8% | 177 |
REFUSED/NO OPINION | 7.8% | 17 |
12. Would you be MORE LIKELY or LESS LIKELY to vote to re-elect U.S. Senator Arlen Specter if he supports "Card Check" legislation?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
MUCH MORE LIKELY TO VOTE TO RE-ELECT | 1.8% | 4 |
SOMEWHAT MORE LIKELY TO VOTE TO RE-ELECT | 5.5% | 12 |
SOMEWHAT LESS LIKELY TO VOTE TO RE-ELECT | 7.8% | 17 |
MUCH LESS LIKELY TO VOTE TO RE-ELECT | 70.8% | 155 |
REFUSED/NO OPINION | 14.2% | 31 |
13. If the U.S. Congress enacts the "Card Check" bill (which would allow organization of a union without a private ballot, creates binding arbitration on businesses, and significantly increases penalties for violations of the law) would you be MORE LIKELY or LESS LIKELY to hire new/more employees?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
MUCH MORE LIKELY | 0.5% | 1 |
SOMEWHAT MORE LIKELY | 0.9% | 2 |
SOMEWHAT LESS LIKELY | 12.8% | 28 |
MUCH LESS LIKELY | 51.1% | 112 |
NO IMPACT | 28.8% | 63 |
REFUSED/NO OPINION | 5.9% | 13 |
14. Do you FAVOR or OPPOSE enactment of what is commonly referred to as a Right to Work law, whereby a worker cannot be compelled to join or pay fees to a labor union as a condition of employment?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
STRONGLY FAVOR | 72.0% | 157 |
SOMEWHAT FAVOR | 16.5% | 36 |
SOMEWHAT OPPOSE | 2.3% | 5 |
STRONGLY OPPOSE | 3.7% | 8 |
REFUSED/NO OPINION | 5.5% | 12 |
15. Generally speaking, do you have a POSITIVE or NEGATIVE opinion of the economic stimulus bill passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama in February?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
STRONLY POSITIVE | 3.3% | 7 |
SOMEWHAT POSITIVE | 19.1% | 41 |
SOMEWHAT NEGATIVE | 21.9% | 47 |
STRONGLY NEGATIVE | 54.4% | 117 |
REFUSED/NO OPINION | 1.4% | 3 |
16. Generally speaking, do you think the policies of the Obama Administration will strengthen the U.S. economy and cause the resession to end sooner; or will the administration’s policies weaken the economy and prolong the recession?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
STRENGTHEN/END SOONER | 25.6% | 56 |
WEAKEN/PROLONG | 59.8% | 131 |
WILL HAVE NO IMPACT | 11.4% | 25 |
REFUSED/NO OPINION | 3.2% | 7 |
17. Are you concerned about whether or not your business will be able to survive the current economic crisis; ie: might you be forced out of business because of the recession?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
LIKELY MAY GO OUT OF BUSINESS | 4.2% | 9 |
POSSIBLE MAY GO OUT OF BUSINESS | 30.8% | 66 |
WELL POSITIONED TO SURVIVE THE RECESSION | 37.9% | 81 |
DON’T KNOW | 29.0% | 62 |
Other | 10 |
18. Do you FAVOR or OPPOSE the federal government spending billions of dollars more to keep the U.S. auto industry, specifically Chrysler and General Motors, in business?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
STRONGLY FAVOR | 0.9% | 2 |
SOMEWHAT FAVOR | 10.5% | 23 |
SOMEWHAT OPPOSE | 28.3% | 62 |
STRONGLY OPPOSE | 58.0% | 127 |
REFUSED/NO OPINION | 2.3% | 5 |
19. If Pennsylvania were to implement a limitation on CO2 emissions through a cap and trade program would you be MORE LIKELY or LESS LIKELY to invest in your business and to hire new/more employees?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
MUCH MORE LIKELY | 0.5% | 1 |
SOMEWHAT MORE LIKELY | 0.9% | 2 |
SOMEWHAT LESS LIKELY | 9.1% | 20 |
MUCH LESS LIKELY | 31.1% | 68 |
NO IMPACT | 47.9% | 105 |
REFUSED/NO OPINION | 10.5% | 23 |
20. The Pennsylvania state budget deficit is projected to exceed $2 billion. Should lawmakers raise taxes, or cut spending to close this deficit?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
RAISE TAXES | 0.5% | 1 |
CUT SPENDING | 81.7% | 178 |
COMBINATION OF TAX HIKES AND SPENDING CUTS | 16.1% | 35 |
REFUSED/NO OPINION | 1.8% | 4 |
21. The Rendell Administration is proposing to levy a 2% tax on health insurance premiums paid by businesses and consumers. If such a tax is implemented what impact would it have on your business?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
STOP PROVIDING EMPLOYER-PAID HEALTH INSURANGE | 16.1% | 34 |
IMPLEMENT/RAISE EMPLOYEE CO-PAYS | 39.3% | 83 |
LAY-OFF EMPLOYEES TO OFF-SET THE COST OF THE TAX | 6.6% | 14 |
GO OUT OF BUSINESS | 2.8% | 6 |
CURRENTLY DO NOT PROVIDE EMPLOYER-PAID HEALTH INSURANCE | 21.3% | 45 |
NO IMPACT | 11.8% | 25 |
REFUSED/NO OPINION | 1.9% | 4 |
Other | 11 |
22. Would you FAVOR or OPPOSE raising taxes on tobacco products to help off-set the current state budget deficit?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
STRONGLY FAVOR | 24.8% | 54 |
SOMEWHAT FAVOR | 22.9% | 50 |
SOMEWHAT OPPOSE | 17.9% | 39 |
STRONGLY OPPOSE | 28.4% | 62 |
REFUSED/NO OPINION | 6.0% | 13 |
23. Would you FAVOR or OPPOSE raising the state SALES TAX to help off-set the current state budget deficit?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
STRONGLY FAVOR | 3.2% | 7 |
SOMEWHAT FAVOR | 18.7% | 41 |
SOMEWHAT OPPOSE | 16.9% | 37 |
STRONGLY OPPOSE | 60.7% | 133 |
REFUSED/NO OPINION | 0.5% | 1 |
24. Have you had to take any of the following actions to deal with the current economic recession:
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
LAY OFF EMPLOYEES | 40.9% | 72 |
REDUCE EMPLOYEE WORK HOURS | 53.4% | 94 |
CLOSE OR CONSOLIDATE FACILITIES | 4.5% | 8 |
REDUCE PRODUCT LINES | 13.6% | 24 |
RAISE PRICES | 29.5% | 52 |
CUT PRICES | 27.3% | 48 |
CLOSE YOUR BUSINESS | 1.1% | 2 |
Other | 32 |
25. As a result of the recent increase in the minimum wage are you: MORE LIKELY or LESS LIKELY to hire new/more employees?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
MUCH MORE LIKELY | 0.5% | 1 |
SOMEWHAT MORE LIKELY | 0.5% | 1 |
SOMEWHAT LESS LIKELY | 15.1% | 33 |
MUCH LESS LIKELY | 18.7% | 41 |
NO IMPACT | 63.5% | 139 |
REFUSED/NO OPINIONW | 1.8% | 4 |
26. What is your top business concern?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
ACCESS TO CREDIT | 8.6% | 18 |
LOST SALES | 42.4% | 89 |
TAXES | 22.9% | 48 |
COST OF HEALTH CARE COVERAGE | 19.5% | 41 |
ENERGY COSTS | 6.7% | 14 |
Other | 21 |
27. Tell us what steps you are taking in your business to survive the recession.
Response Count |
|
VIEW | 153 |
28. DEMOCRATS ONLY: IF the Democratic Primary for Governor of Pennsylvania were held today, would you vote for
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
Jack Wagner | 29.4% | 5 |
Dan Onorato | 23.5% | 4 |
Don Cunningham | 11.8% | 2 |
Tom Knox | 17.6% | 3 |
Bob Mellow | 17.6% | 3 |
Other | 28 |
29. REPUBLICANS ONLY: If the Republican Primary for Governor of Pennsylvania were held today, would you vote for:
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
TOM CORBETT | 72.2% | 78 |
PAT MEEHAN | 10.2% | 11 |
JIM GERLACH | 17.6% | 19 |
Other | 25 |
30. REPUBLICANS ONLY: IF the Republican Primary for U.S. Senator were held today, would you vote for Arlen Specter or Pat Toomey?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
ARLEN SPECTER | 15.3% | 24 |
PAT TOOMEY | 63.7% | 100 |
PEG LUKSIK | 4.5% | 7 |
REFUSED/NO OPINION | 16.6% | 26 |
Other | 15 |
31. In what part of Pennsylvania is your business located?
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
Northwest PA | 12.4% | 27 |
Southwest PA | 16.5% | 36 |
Northcentral PA | 7.8% | 17 |
Altoona/Johnstown | 2.3% | 5 |
Southcentral/Harrisburg | 16.5% | 36 |
Southeastern PA | 23.9% | 52 |
Lehigh Valley | 7.8% | 17 |
Northeastern PA | 12.8% | 28 |
32. Which category best describes your position at the business in which your work:
Response Percent |
Response Count |
|
OWNER | 80.3% | 175 |
CEO/COO/CFO | 9.6% | 21 |
STATE MANAGER | 0.0% | 0 |
LOCAL MANAGER | 4.6% | 10 |
NO ANSWER/REFUSED | 1.8% | 4 |
Other | 3.7% | 8 |