2008 Star Tribune 100 Survey Questions

The mail survey was conducted by Star Tribune researchers in February and March and was sent to 141 publicly held Minnesota-based companies. Sixty companies responded for a response rate of 43 percent. Not all companies responded to all questions. Overall the views appear to represent the different industries in the state but might underrepresent the views of larger companies.

1. Please rate each of the following public policy issues according to how important it is to your business.

(Ranked from 0-3 with 3 being "very important.") Hiring/retaining workers 2.69

Education 2.45

Federal tax rates 2.40

Health care benefits 2.39

State tax rates 2.28

Transportation 1.61

Affordable housing 1.41

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

No significant changes 47%

Increase capital spending 41%

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

Increase head count 54%

Keep staffing levels about the same 44%

Decrease head count 2%

4. Oil prices averaged about $75 a barrel in 2007 and have soared above $100 in 2008. What effects have rising energy costs had on your business?

Little or no effect 22%

Profound effects 8%

5. Does your business plan assume oil prices will be higher or lower a year from now?

About the same 65%

Higher a year from now 33%

6. Proposals are in the Minnesota Legislature to increase the gas tax used to maintain roads and highways. It would be beneficial for business to

Keep it the same 53%

Lower the gas tax 27%

Raise the gas tax 20%

7. Businesses face pressure on many economic and political fronts. Please rank how significant these pressures are on your business.

Global competition 2.10

Increased regulatory enforcement 2.06

Energy costs 2.00

Interest rates 2.00

The Minnesota economy 1.94

Terrorism 1.40

Privacy regulations 1.37

Climate change 1.21

8. Consumer spending in the United States has slowed. What effect has this had on your business?

Little or no effect 47%

Significant effect 7%

9. Troubles in the subprime lending sector have caused uncertainty in global credit markets. Compared with a year ago, does your business or industry have more or less access to capital?

About the same 69%

Less access 24%

More access 7%

Yes 78%

No 22%

11. Is your company considering significant changes to employee health care benefits?

No 82%