Fall 2009 Keystone Business Climate Survey
Response Summary
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 | 8.7% | 15 |
| Same | 28.5% | 49 |
| Worse | 62.2% | 107 |
| No Opinion | 0.6% | 1 |
| answered question | 172 | |
| skipped question | 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 | 18.6% | 32 |
| Same | 44.8% | 77 |
| Worse | 34.3% | 59 |
| No Opinion | 2.3% | 4 |
| answered question | 172 | |
| skipped question | 1 |
3. Are employment levels at your company higher, the same, or lower, than they were SIX MONTHS AGO?
| Response Percent | Response Count |
|
| Higher | 5.4% | 9 |
| Same | 49.4% | 83 |
| Lower | 42.3% | 71 |
| No Opinion | 3.0% | 5 |
| answered question | 168 | |
| skipped question | 5 |
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 | 13.0% | 22 |
| Same | 60.4% | 102 |
| Lower | 21.9% | 37 |
| No Opinion | 4.7% | 8 |
| answered question | 169 | |
| skipped question | 4 |
5. Have your company's sales increased, stayed relatively the same, or decreased during the PAST SIX MONTHS?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| Increased | 11.8% | 20 |
| Same | 27.8% | 47 |
| Decreased | 56.2% | 95 |
| No Opinion | 4.1% | 7 |
| answered question | 169 | |
| skipped question | 4 |
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 | 27.8% | 47 |
| Same | 37.9% | 64 |
| Decrease | 27.8% | 47 |
| No Opinion | 6.5% | 11 |
| answered question | 169 | |
| skipped question | 4 |
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 | 2.4% | 4 |
| Considered moving some operations | 4.8% | 8 |
| Considered moving all operations | 4.8% | 8 |
| Moved operations into Pennsylvania | 0.0% | 0 |
| Didn't consider any moves | 88.0% | 146 |
| answered question | 166 | |
| skipped question | 7 |
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 | 5.5% | 9 |
| May move some operations | 5.5% | 9 |
| Not considering any moves | 89.0% | 146 |
| May move operations INTO Pennsylvania | 0.0% | 0 |
| answered question | 164 | |
| skipped question | 9 |
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 | 11.8% (20) | 81.2% (138) | 7.1% (12) | 170 |
| Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke | 21.3% (36) | 52.1% (88) | 26.6% (45) | 169 |
| U.S. Senator Arlen Specter | 4.7% (8) | 87.7% (150) | 7.6% (13) | 171 |
| U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. | 10.1% (17) | 65.7% (111) | 24.3% (41) | 169 |
| U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner | 8.9% (15) | 66.9% (113) | 24.3% (41) | 169 |
| Governor Ed Rendell | 10.6% (18) | 85.9% (146) | 3.5% (6) | 170 |
| Attorney General Tom Corbett | 32.1% (54) | 15.5% (26) | 52.4% (88) | 168 |
| Auditor General Jack Wagner | 12.5% (21) | 13.1% (22) | 74.4% (125) | 168 |
| State Treasurer Rob McCord | 3.0% (5) | 14.3% (24) | 82.7% (139) | 168 |
| answered question | 171 | |||
| skipped question | 2 |
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 | 1.8% (3) | 89.3% (151) | 8.9% (15) | 169 |
| United States House of Representatives | 1.8% (3) | 89.9% (152) | 8.3% (14) | 169 |
| Pennsylvania Senate | 16.4% (28) | 65.5% (112) | 18.1% (31) | 171 |
| Pennsylvania House of Representatives | 8.3% (14) | 76.9% (130) | 14.8% (25) | 169 |
| answered question | 171 | |||
| skipped question | 2 |
Section II: Issues
11. It appears the new state budget will call for spending about $400 million less than in the last fiscal year. Do you think that reduction in spending is too small, about right, or too much?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| TOO SMALL | 71.4% | 115 |
| ABOUT RIGHT | 15.5% | 25 |
| TOO MUCH | 1.9% | 3 |
| REFUSED/NO OPINION | 11.2% | 18 |
| answered question | 161 | |
| skipped question | 12 |
12. If you were told last year's state budget ended with a $3.2 billion deficit, and the new budget cuts projected spending by $400 million, would you say the spending reduction is too small, about right or too much?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| TOO SMALL | 86.3% | 138 |
| ABOUT RIGHT | 6.9% | 11 |
| TOO MUCH | 2.5% | 4 |
| REFUSED/NO OPINION | 4.4% | 7 |
| answered question | 160 | |
| skipped question | 13 |
13. The phase-out of the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax has been delayed under terms of the current budget deal. What impact do you think that will have on the ability of businesses to create new jobs?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| SIGNIFICANT NEGATIVE IMPACT | 25.9% | 41 |
| MODERATE NEGATIVE IMPACT | 39.9% | 63 |
| NO IMPACT | 15.2% | 24 |
| MODERATE POSITIVE IMPACT | 5.1% | 8 |
| SIGNIFICANT POSITIVE IMPACT | 0.6% | 1 |
| REFUSED/NO OPINION | 13.3% | 21 |
| answered question | 158 | |
| skipped question | 15 |
14. Generally speaking, do you APPROVE or DISAPPROVE of the state budget deal?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| STRONGLY APPROVE | 1.3% | 2 |
| SOMEWHAT APPROVE | 16.1% | 25 |
| SOMEWHAT DISAPPROVE | 49.0% | 76 |
| STRONGLY DISAPPROVE | 33.5% | 52 |
| answered question | 155 | |
| skipped question | 18 |
15. Please indicated whether you agree or disagree with the the following methods of increasing state revenue:
| STRONGLY AGREE | SOMEWHAT AGREE | SOMEWHAT DISAGREE | STRONGLY DISAGREE | REFUSED/NO OPINION | Response Count | |
| Delay Capital Stock Phase-Out | 1.9% (3) | 14.3% (22) | 20.8% (32) | 39.0% (60) | 24.0% (37) | 154 |
| Increase Cigarette Taxes | 30.8% (49) | 24.5% (39) | 14.5% (23) | 26.4% (42) | 3.8% (6) | 159 |
| New Tax on Small Games of Chance | 27.7% (44) | 28.9% (46) | 16.4% (26) | 25.2% (40) | 1.9% (3) | 159 |
| New Sales Tax on Performing Arts Ticket Purchases | 10.1% (16) | 21.4% (34) | 22.0% (35) | 42.1% (67) | 4.4% (7) | 159 |
| Spending Most of the Rainy Day Fund | 6.3% (10) | 20.9% (33) | 24.1% (38) | 46.2% (73) | 2.5% (4) | 158 |
| Spending MCARE (Medical Malpractice Fund) Dollars | 5.7% (9) | 13.9% (22) | 25.9% (41) | 41.8% (66) | 12.7% (20) | 158 |
| Legalization of Table Gaming at State Casinos | 23.4% (37) | 30.4% (48) | 11.4% (18) | 31.6% (50) | 3.2% (5) | 158 |
| answered question | 160 | |||||
| skipped question | 13 |
16. Which level of government do you believe has the biggest impact (postitive or negative) on Pennsylvania's business climate?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| FEDERAL GOVERNMENT | 30.0% | 48 |
| STATE GOVERNMENT | 63.8% | 102 |
| COUNTY/LOCAL GOVERNMENTS | 5.0% | 8 |
| REFUSED/NO OPINION | 1.3% | 2 |
| answered question | 160 | |
| skipped question | 13 |
17. Generally speaking, do you view state government spending as a way to stimulate Pennsylvania's economy or do you believe state government spending is harmful to the commonwealth's business climate?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| SPENDING STIMULATES STATE ECONOMY | 13.0% | 21 |
| SPENDING HAS NO EFFECT ON STATE ECONOMY | 10.6% | 17 |
| SPENDING IS HARMFUL TO THE STATE ECONOMY | 65.8% | 106 |
| REFUSED/NO OPINION | 10.6% | 17 |
| answered question | 161 | |
| skipped question | 12 |
18. 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 | 78.8% | 126 |
| SOMEWHAT FAVOR | 9.4% | 15 |
| SOMEWHAT OPPOSE | 3.1% | 5 |
| STRONGLY OPPOSE | 6.9% | 11 |
| REFUSED/NO OPINION | 1.9% | 3 |
| answered question | 160 | |
| skipped question | 13 |
19. Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernake says he believes the economic recession has ended. Do you think the recession has come to an end?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| RECESSION HAS ENDED | 6.2% | 10 |
| RECESSION CONTINUES | 91.9% | 148 |
| REFUSED/NO OPINION | 1.9% | 3 |
| answered question | 161 | |
| skipped question | 12 |
20. Has the economy recovered to the point where you plan to hire additional workers over the coming three months?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| YES | 1.2% | 2 |
| NO | 88.2% | 142 |
| DON'T KNOW | 6.2% | 10 |
| REFUSED/NO OPINION | 4.3% | 7 |
| answered question | 161 | |
| skipped question | 12 |
21. Do you plan to make any machinery or equipment purchases over the coming three months.
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| YES | 16.0% | 25 |
| NO | 69.2% | 108 |
| DON'T KNOW | 10.9% | 17 |
| REFUSED/NO OPINION | 3.8% | 6 |
| answered question | 156 | |
| skipped question | 17 |
22. Do you plan to invest in any capital improvements, such as expanding or building new facilities, for your business over the coming three months?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| YES | 6.8% | 11 |
| NO | 85.1% | 137 |
| DON'T KNOW | 4.3% | 7 |
| REFUSED/NO OPINION | 3.7% | 6 |
| answered question | 161 | |
| skipped question | 12 |
23. Have you had to take any of the following actions to deal with the current economic recession:
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| LAY OFF EMPLOYEES | 49.2% | 64 |
| REDUCE EMPLOYEE WORK HOURS | 70.8% | 92 |
| CLOSE OR CONSOLIDATE FACILITIES | 4.6% | 6 |
| REDUCE PRODUCT LINES | 9.2% | 12 |
| RAISE PRICES | 13.8% | 18 |
| CUT PRICES | 40.0% | 52 |
| CLOSE YOUR BUSINESS | 1.5% | 2 |
| Other (VIEW) | 14 | |
| answered question | 130 | |
| skipped question | 43 |
24. What is your top business concern?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| ACCESS TO CREDIT | 5.3% | 8 |
| LOST SALES | 47.7% | 72 |
| TAXES | 20.5% | 31 |
| COST OF HEALTH CARE COVERAGE | 19.9% | 30 |
| ENERGY COSTS | 6.6% | 10 |
| Other (VIEW) | 8 | |
| answered question | 151 | |
| skipped question | 22 |
25. DEMOCRATS ONLY: IF the Democratic Primary for Governor of Pennsylvania were held today, would you vote for
| Response Percent | Response Count | ||
| JACK WAGNER | 66.7% | 8 | |
| DAN ONORATO | 0.0% | 0 | |
| CHRIS DOHERTY | 25.0% | 3 | |
| TOM KNOX | 0.0% | 0 | |
| JOE HOEFFEL | 8.3% | 1 | |
| Other (VIEW) | 1 | ||
| answered question | 12 | ||
| skipped question | 161 |
26. REPUBLICANS ONLY: If the Republican Primary for Governor of Pennsylvania were held today, would you vote for:
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| TOM CORBETT | 64.4% | 65 |
| JIM GERLACH | 20.8% | 21 |
| SAM ROHRER | 14.9% | 15 |
| Other (VIEW) | 8 | |
| answered question | 101 | |
| skipped question | 72 |
27. DEMOCRATS ONLY: IF the Democratic Primary for U.S. Senator were held today, would you vote for Arlen Specter or Joe Sestak?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| ARLEN SPECTER | 20.8% | 5 |
| JOE SESTAK | 37.5% | 9 |
| REFUSED/NO OPINION | 41.7% | 10 |
| Other (VIEW) | 1 | |
| answered question | 24 | |
| skipped question | 149 |
28. REPUBLICANS ONLY: If the Primary election for U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania were held today would you vote for Pat Toomey or Peg Luksik?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| PAT TOOMEY | 64.8% | 83 |
| PEG LUKSIK | 6.3% | 8 |
| REFUSED/NO OPINION | 28.9% | 37 |
| answered question | 128 | |
| skipped question | 45 |
29. In what part of Pennsylvania is your business located?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| Northwest PA | 15.8% | 25 |
| Southwest PA | 12.7% | 20 |
| Northcentral PA | 6.3% | 10 |
| Altoona/Johnstown | 3.8% | 6 |
| Southcentral/Harrisburg | 17.1% | 27 |
| Southeastern PA | 28.5% | 45 |
| Lehigh Valley | 8.2% | 13 |
| Northeastern PA | 7.6% | 12 |
| answered question | 158 | |
| skipped question | 15 |
30. Which category best describes your position at the business in which your work:
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
| OWNER | 71.1% | 113 |
| CEO/COO/CFO | 17.0% | 27 |
| STATE MANAGER | 1.3% | 2 |
| LOCAL MANAGER | 3.1% | 5 |
| NO ANSWER/REFUSED | 2.5% | 4 |
| Other (VIEW) | 5.0% | 8 |
| answered question | 159 | |
| skipped question | 14 |
