Fall 2011 Keystone Business Climate Survey
[b]Response Summary:[eb]
Total Started Survey: 94
Total Completed Survey: 84 (89.4%)
[b]Section I: Business Climate[eb]
[b]1. In general, do you think business conditions in Pennsylvania are better, the same, or worse than they were SIX MONTHS AGO?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Better[etd][td] [etd][td]11.9%[etd][td]10[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]Same[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]50.0%[etd][td]42[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Worse[etd][td] [etd][td]35.7%[etd][td]30[etd][etr]
[tr][td]No Opinion[etd][td] [etd][td]2.4%[etd][td]2[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]84[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]10[etd][etr][etable][b]2. LOOKING AHEAD SIX MONTHS, do you think business conditions will be better, the same, or worse than they are now?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Better[etd][td] [etd][td]21.7%[etd][td]18[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]Same[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]45.8%[etd][td]38[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Worse[etd][td] [etd][td]28.9%[etd][td]24[etd][etr]
[tr][td]No Opinion[etd][td] [etd][td]3.6%[etd][td]3[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]83[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]11[etd][etr][etable][b]3. Are employment levels at your company higher, the same, or lower, than they were SIX MONTHS AGO?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Higher[etd][td] [etd][td]24.4%[etd][td]20[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]Same[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]47.6%[etd][td]39[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Lower[etd][td] [etd][td]26.8%[etd][td]22[etd][etr]
[tr][td]No Opinion[etd][td] [etd][td]1.2%[etd][td]1[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]82[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]12[etd][etr][etable][b]4. LOOKING AHEAD SIX MONTHS, do you anticipate that employment levels at your company will be higher, stay the same, or be lower?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Higher[etd][td] [etd][td]20.5%[etd][td]17[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]Same[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]60.2%[etd][td]50[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Lower[etd][td] [etd][td]14.5%[etd][td]12[etd][etr]
[tr][td]No Opinion[etd][td] [etd][td]4.8%[etd][td]4[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]83[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]11[etd][etr][etable][b]5. Have your company’s sales increased, stayed relatively the same, or decreased during the PAST SIX MONTHS?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Increased[etd][td] [etd][td]28.8%[etd][td]23[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]Same[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]36.3%[etd][td]29[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Decreased[etd][td] [etd][td]28.8%[etd][td]23[etd][etr]
[tr][td]No Opinion[etd][td] [etd][td]6.3%[etd][td]5[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]80[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]14[etd][etr][etable][b]6. Do you expect your company’s sales to increase, stay relatively the same, or decrease during the COMING SIX MONTHS?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Increase[etd][td] [etd][td]32.1%[etd][td]26[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]Same[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]46.9%[etd][td]38[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Decrease[etd][td] [etd][td]13.6%[etd][td]11[etd][etr]
[tr][td]No Opinion[etd][td] [etd][td]7.4%[etd][td]6[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]81[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]13[etd][etr][etable][b]7. At any point in the PAST SIX MONTHS has your company considered moving all or part of its Pennsylvania operations to another state?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Did move some operations[etd][td] [etd][td]2.4%[etd][td]2[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Considered moving some operations[etd][td] [etd][td]9.6%[etd][td]8[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Considered moving all operations[etd][td] [etd][td]0.0%[etd][td]0[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Moved operations into Pennsylvania[etd][td] [etd][td]1.2%[etd][td]1[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]Didn’t consider any moves[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]86.7%[etd][td]72[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]83[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]11[etd][etr][etable][b]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?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td]May move all operations[etd][td] [etd][td]4.8%[etd][td]4[etd][etr]
[tr][td]May move some operations[etd][td] [etd][td]8.4%[etd][td]7[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]Not considering any moves[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]85.5%[etd][td]71[etd][etr]
[tr][td]May move operations INTO Pennsylvania[etd][td] [etd][td]1.2%[etd][td]1[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]83[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]11[etd][etr][etable][b]9. In general, do you have a POSITIVE, NEGATIVE or NO OPINION of the job performance of the following individuals?[eb]
[table][tr][td] [etd][td]Positive[etd][td]Negative[etd][td]No Opinion[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td]President Barack Obama[etd][td]24.4% (20)[etd][td]67.1% (55)[etd][td]8.5% (7)[etd][td]82[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke[etd][td]19.5% (16)[etd][td]46.3% (38)[etd][td]34.1% (28)[etd][td]82[etd][etr]
[tr][td]U.S. Senator Pat Toomey[etd][td]28.0% (23)[etd][td]37.8% (31)[etd][td]34.1% (28)[etd][td]82[etd][etr]
[tr][td]U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr.[etd][td]17.1% (14)[etd][td]53.7% (44)[etd][td]29.3% (24)[etd][td]82[etd][etr]
[tr][td]U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner[etd][td]14.6% (12)[etd][td]57.3% (47)[etd][td]28.0% (23)[etd][td]82[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Governor Tom Corbett[etd][td]46.9% (38)[etd][td]30.9% (25)[etd][td]22.2% (18)[etd][td]81[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Auditor General Jack Wagner[etd][td]25.6% (21)[etd][td]14.6% (12)[etd][td]59.8% (49)[etd][td]82[etd][etr]
[tr][td]State Treasurer Rob McCord[etd][td]17.1% (14)[etd][td]15.9% (13)[etd][td]67.1% (55)[etd][td]82[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c3]answered question[etd][td][b]82[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c3]skipped question[etd][td]12[etd][etr][etable][b]10. In general, do you have a POSITIVE, NEGATIVE, or NO OPINION of the job performance of the following institutions?[eb]
[table][tr][td] [etd][td]Positive[etd][td]Negative[etd][td]No Opinion[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td]United States Senate[etd][td]7.3% (6)[etd][td]86.6% (71)[etd][td]6.1% (5)[etd][td]82[etd][etr]
[tr][td]United States House of Representatives[etd][td]20.7% (17)[etd][td]74.4% (61)[etd][td]4.9% (4)[etd][td]82[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Pennsylvania Senate[etd][td]13.4% (11)[etd][td]59.8% (49)[etd][td]26.8% (22)[etd][td]82[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Pennsylvania House of Representatives[etd][td]13.0% (12)[etd][td]51.1% (47)[etd][td]35.9% (33)[etd][td]92[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c3]answered question[etd][td][b]92[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c3]skipped question[etd][td]2[etd][etr][etable]
[b]Section II: Issues[eb]
[b]1. Do you think the economy is currently entering another recession, or do you think the economy continues to slowly recover from the 2008-2010 recession?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]ENTERING A NEW RECESSION[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]48.1%[etd][td]39[etd][etr]
[tr][td]SLOWLY RECOVERING FROM LAST RECESSION[etd][td] [etd][td]45.7%[etd][td]37[etd][etr]
[tr][td]REFUSED/NO OPINION[etd][td] [etd][td]6.2%[etd][td]5[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]81[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]13[etd][etr][etable][b]2. Generally speaking, do you think the FEDERAL government is spending TOO MUCH, ABOUT THE RIGHT AMOUNT, or NOT ENOUGH money on economic stimulus programs?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]TOO MUCH[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]53.1%[etd][td]43[etd][etr]
[tr][td]ABOUT THE RIGHT AMOUNT[etd][td] [etd][td]9.9%[etd][td]8[etd][etr]
[tr][td]NOT ENOUGH[etd][td] [etd][td]32.1%[etd][td]26[etd][etr]
[tr][td]REFUSED/NO OPINION[etd][td] [etd][td]4.9%[etd][td]4[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]81[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]13[etd][etr][etable][b]3. In your opinion, what is the main reason why job creation continues to remain stagnant?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]74[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td c2]* Taxes and health insurance premiums are too high.
* uncertainty
* A lot is because of the unions i this country and the policies that the current congress and the president are voting for.
* Taxes too high on corporations causing businesses to locate in more tax-friendly countries.
* it is not up to the government to create jobs, It is up to business. There is too much government regulation
* Economic uncertainties caused by (i) uncertainty regarding when US will significantly recover from recession, (ii) the effects of the European debt crisis and (iii) the poisonous no compromise posture prevailing in the Republican Party as illustrated by Republican refusal to consider raising taxes $1 even if accompanied by $10 of budget cuts.
* Because the spending by the Federal Government is in the wrong places. There are immediate and long term returns on putting money into the infrastructure, which badly needs it. The President’s plan is payback to the teachers, unions and specific groups he needs for reelection. His plans are more about next year’s campaign than this years pain being endured by all citizens. Until the economy gets meaningful economic infusion, people (the consumers) are going to withhold spending. The government can’t have it both ways. On the one hand the berate the taxpayer for having so much debt and not saving. Then when consumers start paying off their debt and putting money into savings, the same government group, including the President and the Senate, condemn them for doing so, and want to tax those savings which they previously encouraged folks to do. This administration is the one who killed a number of jobs in the Aerospace and Defense industry by killing over 50 Defense programs shortly after they came into office. They have no vision or plan to replace the shuttle any time soon, and all those workers have been laid off. Yet they want to increase regulation and hire bureaucrats to enforce them. The real jobs are being killed by this administration.
* Business lack of confidence in government.
* A lack of demand for products.
* Demand
* Too much regulation, taxes, uncertainty, and unemployment compensation being paid for too long.
* regulation and uncertainty
* Excessive regulation, poor policy from the fed, unequal trade policy
* Uncertainty about regulations
* Jobs
* too much regulation and government red tape and no clear and consisie leadership or direction from any branch of Federal or State Government.
* Weak economy
* incentives are going to large corporations that don’t actually hire people
* Banks won’t lend, businesses cannot grow and therefore cannot hire. Old jobs won’t be replaced, as companies realize they can live without that level of staffing, so jobs must come from growth of businesses.
* Lack of growth in the manufacturing sector and the tight credit to consumers and small businesses.
* With unemployment at 9.1% people are NOT spending and cannot pay current bills.
* Governemnt interference
* No sign of improvement in commerce – businesses afraid to commit to more personnel
* Companies want to save money by expecting more from current employees.
* Corporations are sitting on money that could be used to create jobs. They would rather see us struuggle than qallow the Obama Administration to succeed.
* Companies, to balance the budget in light of lack of consumer spending, have no options but to control or reduce personnel to balance their budgets until such time spendin increases.
* Too much importing
* We don’t produce enough products that people want to buy.
* Fear.
* lack of manufacturing jobs – goes all the way back to NAFTA. In hindsight, that doesn’t seem to be a good thing.
* Until there are clear policies on the direction of health care reform and taxes, companies remain fearful to make any moves at this time. The banks purse strings are still tight and this has also contributed to companies inability to expand. With 2012 being an election year I do not see any decisions on policies being made, therefore I see things remaining the same for the next year or so..
* Obama!
* no confidence in leadership and their ability to make the right choices
* Confidence
* companies are not hiring
* no leadership
* housing industry hasn’t rebounded
* Consumer confidence and investor confidence is low due to excessive government spending, debt, looming tax increases, & weakening US dollar.
* Mega companies making huge profits and not putting them back into job creation.
* lack of confidence in the government
* At a time when government needs to spend to make up for the private sector, those in power are focused on cutting spending.
* One contributing factor is that banks have been very slow to release any financing for new construction, venture capital, leasing and other expansion projects that business may want to undertake.
* Too many restrictions for business owners
* Too much governmental regulations and too many taxes.
* ObamaCare and Federal Government Budget
* regulations and our tax structure
* Regulation Uncertainty
* Uncertainty and excessive regulations
* Lack of lending by banks, lousy return on investments,dismal state of manufacturing; We don’t make things anymore. Lousy construction market; we’re not building anymore.
* no new business comming
* Although I’m cautiously optimistic that we are in a slow recovery, I think we are still unwinding from the 2008 stock market/housing crash. I think 2008 created so many problems that it will take many years to eventually unwind and the unemployment rate will remain stubbornly high. With that being said, I really think Obama needs to staff his administration with successful entrepreneurs who actually started a company from scratch and know what effect overly burdensome laws and regulations have on small business. I think Obama has always been a pro union, anti business individual and his administation and his approach to business is a big reason the car will remain in the ditch.
* We continue to spend money without matching income. While wqaste needs to be trimmed, taxes must increase to pay for the programs which can’t be cut.
* Banks are not providing needed capital because of concern over mortgage liabilities. Cuts in spending has offst any stimulus
* WE are entering a new economic paradigm and we don’t really know how to create jobs in this new business climate. Times are changing and it will take time to figure out the job implications of an information economy.
* While business has become leaner the demand for mor products is not there yet to support growth.
* unions and overseas goods
* 1. It is very hard for small business corporations to get bank loans for expansion, yet small businesses drive job creation in this country. 2. Local or county government regulators do not care about seeing new businesses start-up and they enforce needless over-regulation and thereby cause roadblocks to entrepreneurs who suffer delays in getting established.
* Job creation needs to be done in the private sector, there isn’t enough being done in that area.
* corporate welfare via the tax code, a focus on useless wars, maintaining dependance on dirty energy, basically tolerating monopolistic behavior in many key industries, and using the US at great expense to protect corporate interests internationally while they export jobs yet continue to sell here all equals funneling money to very few individuals at the expense of the majority of americans. seriously. why are we lending banks money at a fraction of a percentage instead of directly to ourselves at teh same small percentage for student loans, mortgages and small business investment? I do not think that’s radical. it’s cutting out profiteering middlemen and investing in ourselves.
* Lack of certainty, low confidence in government
* Not enough incentives, tools or resources are been given to small business
* Uncertainty in rules & regulations and taxes
* Failure of the Fed and the President to have a solid recovery plan based on fact.
* Poor housing market due to glut of homes on the market (fallout from the subprime mortgage crisis)
* Infighting in Washington leading to lack of confidence in companies to invest.
* Not enough of the money is going into creating new jobs or improving infrastructure; too much is going to maintain inefficient government services that should be using the financial difficulties to reinvent how they deliver services. For example, look at the proliferation of municipalities and school districts and the redundancy of Penndot and the Pa Turnpike.
* No predictability in economy.
* Government overintervention, overtaxation and overregulation
* too many unemployed
* Uncertainty and a lack of confidence in our country’s leadership.
* Government at all levels continues to harass business. Federal government finds a new reason to sue an industry every month. Why not propose merging workers comp and healthcare that would save big$’s and eliminate a whole level of state government. Stop spending stupid money. 1.2B for a solar farm. Come on. Stupid
* Government has no clue about private sector, too concerned about reelection and not the real issues, generally all are out for themselves, not the country.
* Health care costs are out if site. Increase 2 years ago 46% last year 15%. This cost adder alone makes you not want to hire additional people. All other cost increases are reasonable. Tell me how to handle ñ˜˜ per month per family for decent health care in a small business.
* Taxes too high and regulation too much.[etd][td] [etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td]skipped question[etd][td]20[etd][etr][etable][b]4. Do you think President Obama’s proposed $447 billion jobs program will significantly lower the nation’s unemployment rate?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td]YES[etd][td] [etd][td]15.0%[etd][td]12[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]NO[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]72.5%[etd][td]58[etd][etr]
[tr][td]REFUSED/NO OPINION[etd][td] [etd][td]12.5%[etd][td]10[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]80[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]14[etd][etr][etable][b]5. Is a $4,000.00 per job created tax credit enough of an incentive to prompt your business to hire an additional employee or employees?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td]YES[etd][td] [etd][td]13.8%[etd][td]11[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]NO[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]76.3%[etd][td]61[etd][etr]
[tr][td]REFUSED/NO OPINION[etd][td] [etd][td]10.0%[etd][td]8[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]80[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]14[etd][etr][etable][b]6. Is cutting the rate of the employer’s share of FICA (Social Security) taxes by 50% enough of an incentive for you to hire an additional employee or employees?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td]YES[etd][td] [etd][td]14.3%[etd][td]11[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]NO[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]71.4%[etd][td]55[etd][etr]
[tr][td]REFUSED/NO OPINION[etd][td] [etd][td]14.3%[etd][td]11[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]77[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]17[etd][etr][etable][b]7. Is the combination of a $4,000 per employee tax credit AND a 50% cut in the employer’s share of FICA (Social Security) taxes enough of an incentive for your business to hire an additional employee or employees?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td]YES[etd][td] [etd][td]26.3%[etd][td]21[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]NO[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]63.8%[etd][td]51[etd][etr]
[tr][td]REFUSED/NO OPINION[etd][td] [etd][td]10.0%[etd][td]8[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]80[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]14[etd][etr][etable][b]8. The General Assembly is considering a plan to end the state’s liquor store monopoly and place distribution and retail sales of wine and spirits in private hands. Do you APPROVE or DISAPPROVE of privatizing the state’s liquor stores?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]STRONGLY APPROVE[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]61.3%[etd][td]49[etd][etr]
[tr][td]SOMEWHAT APPROVE[etd][td] [etd][td]17.5%[etd][td]14[etd][etr]
[tr][td]SOMEWHAT DISAPPROVE[etd][td] [etd][td]7.5%[etd][td]6[etd][etr]
[tr][td]STRONGLY DISAPPROVE[etd][td] [etd][td]6.3%[etd][td]5[etd][etr]
[tr][td]REFUSED/NO OPINION[etd][td] [etd][td]7.5%[etd][td]6[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]80[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]14[etd][etr][etable][b]9. Do you SUPPORT or OPPOSE having state government allocate more money for the Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) that allows businesses to deduct a portion of money donated to K-12 educational institutions?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td]STRONGLY SUPPORT[etd][td] [etd][td]26.3%[etd][td]21[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]SOMEWHAT SUPPORT[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]28.8%[etd][td]23[etd][etr]
[tr][td]SOMEWHAT OPPOSE[etd][td] [etd][td]5.0%[etd][td]4[etd][etr]
[tr][td]STRONGLY OPPOSE[etd][td] [etd][td]11.3%[etd][td]9[etd][etr]
[tr][td]NEVER HEARD OF PROGRAM[etd][td] [etd][td]21.3%[etd][td]17[etd][etr]
[tr][td]REFUSED/NO OPINION[etd][td] [etd][td]7.5%[etd][td]6[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]80[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]14[etd][etr][etable][b]10. Do you FAVOR or OPPOSE giving parents of a student in failing public school the option of enrolling their child in another school?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]STRONGLY FAVOR[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]41.8%[etd][td]33[etd][etr]
[tr][td]SOMEWHAT FAVOR[etd][td] [etd][td]30.4%[etd][td]24[etd][etr]
[tr][td]SOMEWHAT OPPOSE[etd][td] [etd][td]10.1%[etd][td]8[etd][etr]
[tr][td]STRONGLY OPPOSE[etd][td] [etd][td]11.4%[etd][td]9[etd][etr]
[tr][td]REFUSED/NO OPINION[etd][td] [etd][td]6.3%[etd][td]5[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]79[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]15[etd][etr][etable][b]11. Generally speaking, do you FAVOR or OPPOSE "school choice," giving parents of public school children a voucher to send their their child to a PUBLIC SCHOOL in a district other than their district of residence?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]STRONGLY FAVOR[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]35.0%[etd][td]28[etd][etr]
[tr][td]SOMEWHAT FAVOR[etd][td] [etd][td]26.3%[etd][td]21[etd][etr]
[tr][td]SOMEWHAT OPPOSE[etd][td] [etd][td]17.5%[etd][td]14[etd][etr]
[tr][td]STRONGLY OPPOSE[etd][td] [etd][td]16.3%[etd][td]13[etd][etr]
[tr][td]REFUSED/NO OPINION[etd][td] [etd][td]5.0%[etd][td]4[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]80[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]14[etd][etr][etable][b]12. Generally speaking, do you FAVOR or OPPOSE "school choice," giving parents of public school children a voucher to send their their child to a PRIVATE, NON-RELIGIOUS school. [eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]STRONGLY FAVOR[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]37.5%[etd][td]30[etd][etr]
[tr][td]SOMEWHAT FAVOR[etd][td] [etd][td]20.0%[etd][td]16[etd][etr]
[tr][td]SOMEWHAT OPPOSE[etd][td] [etd][td]13.8%[etd][td]11[etd][etr]
[tr][td]STRONGLY OPPOSE[etd][td] [etd][td]21.3%[etd][td]17[etd][etr]
[tr][td]REFUSED/NO OPINION[etd][td] [etd][td]7.5%[etd][td]6[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]80[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]14[etd][etr][etable][b]13. Generally speaking, do you FAVOR or OPPOSE "school choice," giving parents of public school children a voucher to send their their child to PAROCHIAL school or to a school with a RELIGIOUS affiliation?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]STRONGLY FAVOR[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]35.4%[etd][td]28[etd][etr]
[tr][td]SOMEWHAT FAVOR[etd][td] [etd][td]20.3%[etd][td]16[etd][etr]
[tr][td]SOMEWHAT OPPOSE[etd][td] [etd][td]11.4%[etd][td]9[etd][etr]
[tr][td]STRONGLY OPPOSE[etd][td] [etd][td]24.1%[etd][td]19[etd][etr]
[tr][td]REFUSED/NO OPINION[etd][td] [etd][td]8.9%[etd][td]7[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]79[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]15[etd][etr][etable][b]14. Governor Tom Corbett has refused to levy additional taxes on companies drilling in the Marcellus Shale region. To you AGREE or DISAGREE with his decision not to increase or place additional taxes on the natural gas industry?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td]STRONGLY AGREE[etd][td] [etd][td]21.3%[etd][td]17[etd][etr]
[tr][td]SOMEWHAT AGREE[etd][td] [etd][td]11.3%[etd][td]9[etd][etr]
[tr][td]SOMEWHAT DISAGREE[etd][td] [etd][td]20.0%[etd][td]16[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]STRONGLY DISAGREE[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]38.8%[etd][td]31[etd][etr]
[tr][td]REFUSED/NO OPINION[etd][td] [etd][td]8.8%[etd][td]7[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]80[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]14[etd][etr][etable][b]15. Do you think government (state, county, local or school district) should collect union dues via payroll deduction, or should unions be required to independenly bill their members?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td]GOVERNMENT COLLECT[etd][td] [etd][td]11.3%[etd][td]9[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]UNIONS INDEPENDENTLY BILL[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]75.0%[etd][td]60[etd][etr]
[tr][td]REFUSED/NO OPINION[etd][td] [etd][td]13.8%[etd][td]11[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]80[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]14[etd][etr][etable][b]16. Do you FAVOR or OPPOSE state government increasing the per gallon gasoline tax in order to raise additional revenue for road and bridge repairs?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td]STRONGLY FAVOR[etd][td] [etd][td]21.3%[etd][td]17[etd][etr]
[tr][td]SOMEWHAT FAVOR[etd][td] [etd][td]28.8%[etd][td]23[etd][etr]
[tr][td]SOMEWHAT OPPOSE[etd][td] [etd][td]15.0%[etd][td]12[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]STRONGLY OPPOSE[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]33.8%[etd][td]27[etd][etr]
[tr][td]REFUSED/NO OPINION[etd][td] [etd][td]1.3%[etd][td]1[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]80[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]14[etd][etr][etable][b]17. Do you FAVOR OR OPPOSE state government increasing vehicle registration and license renewal fees in order to raise additional revenue to pay for road and bridge repairs? [eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td]STRONGLY FAVOR[etd][td] [etd][td]22.8%[etd][td]18[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]SOMEWHAT FAVOR[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]43.0%[etd][td]34[etd][etr]
[tr][td]SOMEWHAT OPPOSE[etd][td] [etd][td]8.9%[etd][td]7[etd][etr]
[tr][td]STRONGLY OPPOSE[etd][td] [etd][td]24.1%[etd][td]19[etd][etr]
[tr][td]REFUSED/NO OPINION[etd][td] [etd][td]1.3%[etd][td]1[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]79[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]15[etd][etr][etable][b]18. In what part of Pennsylvania is your business located?[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Northwest PA[etd][td] [etd][td]5.1%[etd][td]4[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Southwest PA[etd][td] [etd][td]13.9%[etd][td]11[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Northcentral PA[etd][td] [etd][td]1.3%[etd][td]1[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Altoona/Johnstown[etd][td] [etd][td]6.3%[etd][td]5[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Southcentral/Harrisburg[etd][td] [etd][td]13.9%[etd][td]11[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]Southeastern PA[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]53.2%[etd][td]42[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Lehigh Valley[etd][td] [etd][td]0.0%[etd][td]0[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Northeastern PA[etd][td] [etd][td]6.3%[etd][td]5[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]79[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]15[etd][etr][etable][b]19. Which category best describes your position at the business in which your work:[eb]
[table][tr][td c2] [etd][td]Response
Percent[etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]OWNER[eb][etd][td] [etd][td]42.0%[etd][td]34[etd][etr]
[tr][td]CEO/COO/CFO[etd][td] [etd][td]32.1%[etd][td]26[etd][etr]
[tr][td]STATE MANAGER[etd][td] [etd][td]2.5%[etd][td]2[etd][etr]
[tr][td]LOCAL MANAGER[etd][td] [etd][td]9.9%[etd][td]8[etd][etr]
[tr][td]NO ANSWER/REFUSED[etd][td] [etd][td]4.9%[etd][td]4[etd][etr]
[tr][td]Other (please specify)
* I am involved in the reinventing of the business. I am also a Township Supervisor responsible for an annual budget of approximately $12M.
* General Manager
* EVP Senior Management
* School
* Secretary
* Sole Practitioner; Owner
* Director, HR[etd][td] [etd][td]8.6%[etd][td]7[etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]answered question[etd][td][b]81[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td] [etd][td c2]skipped question[etd][td]13[etd][etr][etable][b]20. Please feel free to make any additional comments or observations about Pennsylvania’s business climate. [eb]
[table][tr][td] [etd][td]Response
Count[etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]answered question[eb][etd][td][b]27[eb][etd][etr]
[tr][td]* I have moved my company to New Mexico because I could not afford health insurance premiums in Pennsylvania.
* The proposal to increase gasoline tax and motor vehicle fees could be supported if the extraneous uses (public transportation and rail) uses were removed. It is time that the special interest groups in this state found other sources of funding. Riders, especially SEPTA and the Pittsburgh system should be paying their way, instead of being subsidized by the motoring public. The gas tax should be used specifically for roads and bridges and nothing else. Also, the Turnpike commission should take a hard look at Colorado’s E470 and how the electronic epay system eliminated the toll boths and toll takers. It is time to bring Pennsylvanie into the 21st Century. Instead of keeping the unions happy, our government (federal, state, and county) should be addressing the needs and welfare of all of our residents.
* Stop the unemployment extensions. I can’t find the people I need to hire because they don’t want to go back to work! Applicants from the unemployments rolls don’t even return our calls after they have submitted their resume.
* Governor is "settling" on the status quo and not leading the debate on the serious solutions that need to be vetted to assure the future prosperity of all Pennsylvanians’. Somebody needs to be willing to do something every day; besides worry about reelection.
* The economy is horrible and the only thing most of our politicians care about are themselves. Maybe the politicians should have all their hefty paychecks and benefits they receive taken away from them and then give them a paycheck and benefits the working person is given. Then maybe they would see the light and start to worry about the right things for the good of people and not that of corporate America.
* I believe we should harness the oil located in the US and eliminate oil imports and thus change our system from an importer to exporter of the most expensive commodity we use at this time.
* none at this time
* Beside working for the school, I have a small private business. I answered the questions based on both experiences. I think it is a disgrace for Penn. not to collect taxes from the Marcellus Drilling. All other states do and we have a sure product in the natural gas.
* The state needs to find ways to increase revenue, other than additional taxes on the middle class. Businesses, specifically the natural gas industry, have to pay their share.
* None
* Reduce corporate taxes on businesses. Pave and repair all bridges and roads in Pennsylvania.
* cut the size of the legislature and the time they meet
* Eliminate prevailing wage for school construction Eliminate the Separations Act requirement for public school construction
* this is really not that hard….take the politics out of this and run it like a business in most areas that need stste help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* Our company is in the expedited transportation industry and I think we narrowly avoided a double dip this past spring. I was very concerned about the business activity during the spring but we have noticed a very nice turn around starting in June. If current September numbers hold we are looking at our best month sinse before the crash.
* thank you for ooportunity to comment
* PA’s business climate is not much different than any other place. My business is located in Ontario Canada, yet we have done business in PA for several years. Unfortunately, business in general is hurting, no matter where it is located.
* let’s get rid of state jobs better handled by private industry like state stores . . . let’s decriminalize and tax marijuana . . . let’s open the door to school choice . . let’s not tell anyone what to do with their body . . . let’s make sure we are not actively supporting the prison industry . . . let’s stop any campaign contribution over $200 from any individual and NO corporate donations . . . let’s not submit to the temptation of dirty energy processes. that’s a big challenge but they will NOT be here to clean up. let’s innovate and find a way to provide PRIMARY health care for folks outside the system to reduce long term costs, without affecting those currently in a system. Let’s get working immigrants on track even if it means state id’s and work permits like underage kids allowing them 2 years of work outside of minimum wage and taxation before citizenship and complete employment law conformity will be required. it’s a period of reconciliation for them AND the magnet employer who is AT least as guilty of breaking the law. After years of mushy enforcement a line has to be drawn and a process initiated. Thanks for listening.
* Cannot provide jobs, regardless of incentives, until workload increases
* Let the free enterprise system work. Government is butting its nose in way too much. Regulations and taxes are killing jobs at all levels.
* Still one of the worst in the nation!
* PA., as well as the US, must take advantage of the huge natural gas energy source & opportunity
* You asked about more $s for road taxes. Eliminate Davis Bacon and I wholehardily agree. With 7% of private business in unions why are we punishing ourselves.
* Eliminate state taxes, invest in the young
* Jobs created with government money are for high cost union labor and short term work projects.[etd][td] [etd][etr]
[tr][td][b]skipped question[eb][etd][td]67[etd][etr][table]