Star Tribune 100: The survey questions

The mail survey, conducted by Star Tribune researchers in February and March, was sent to 121 publicly held, Minnesota-based companies. Fifty-one companies answered, for a response rate of 42 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.

Scale: 3=Very important; 2=Important; 1=Somewhat important; 0=Not at all important.

Economic recession2.64

Hiring / retaining workers2.55

Health care benefits2.36

Federal tax rates2.25

Education2.02

Wage rates2.00

Transportation1.41

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

Increase capital spending51%

Decrease capital spending12%

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

Increase headcount57%

Keep staffing levels about same39%

Decrease headcount4%

Some influence59%

Little or no influence35%

Significant influence6%

5. What's the single most important thing that federal and state government can do to help your company grow and add employees?

Lower taxes57%

Increase access to capital11%

Other11%

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

Scale: 3=Very important; 2=Important; 1=Somewhat important; 0=Not at all important.

The U.S. economy2.68

Health care2.02

Global competition1.98

Energy costs1.93

The Minnesota economy1.61

Housing slump1.54

Terrorism1.02

Climate change0.85

7. In the coming year what is the sales outlook for your company?

Better than last year83%

About the same as last year17%

8. The credit crisis that began in 2008 spurred federal bailouts and spread uncertainty in global credit markets. Compared with a year ago (2011), does your business or industry have more or less access to capital?

About the same76%

More access22%

Less access2%

9. The second half of 2011 was marked by volatile markets and political uncertainty. In response, did your company ...

Put hiring and spending on hold28%

Decrease spending and/or hiring22%

10. New types of health coverage, including high-deductible plans, have spread in recent years. Do you agree or disagree that these new plans are helping to reduce health care costs?

Agree70%

Disagree30%

Grow internally64%

Internal and acquisition growth 32%