Star Tribune 100: Survey shows companies' priorities

Again this year, we surveyed our Star Tribune 100 companies on several business climate issues. We conducted our survey in March and April, sending out 108 forms and receiving 33 responses; not all companies answered all questions. The return rate was 30.5 percent.

1. Please rate each of the following public policy issues according to how important it is to your business. (Zero is not at all important, 3 is very important.)

Hiring/retaining workers2.5

Federal tax rates 2.2

Economy 2.5

Health care benefits 2.1

Education 2.0

Wage rates 1.8

Transportation 1.5

2. What are your company's plans for capital spending in the next 12 months?

No significant changes 16

Decrease capital spending 3

3. What are your company's plans for hiring in the next 12 months?

Decrease head count 0

Keep staffing levels about the same15

Increase head count16

4. Does the cost of health care influence your decision to add employees?

Some influence 2

Significant influence19

5. How much does the current strength of the U.S. dollar affect your business?

Negative impact 16

No impact11

6. Businesses face pressure on many economic and political fronts. Please rank how significant these pressures are on your business. (Zero is not at all important, 3 is very important.)

U.S. economy 2.6

Increased regulatory enforcement2.2

Global competition 2.0

Health care 2.0

Digital security1.7

Energy costs1.6

Privacy regulations1.3

Housing slump 1.2

Climate change0.7

About the same 2

Better than 201423

Worse than 2014 2

8. Compared with a year ago, does your business or industry have more or less access to capital?

Less access0

More access 8

9. Oil prices are at the lowest levels since 2008. How much would sustained low oil prices affect your business?

Significant benefit 3

Neutral to no benefit 18

Adverse impact on business 5

Yes 22

No 5

11. Do you agree or disagree that wellness programs help to reduce health care costs?

Agree 25

Disagree 1