PAtownhall.com
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
PAtownhall.com
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
by Lincoln Institute
Total Started Survey: 245
Total Completed Survey: 232 (94.7%)
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 | 1.2% | 3 |
| Same | 33.1% | 81 |
| Worse | 64.9% | 159 |
| No Opinion | 0.8% | 2 |
| Answered Question | 245 | |
| Skipped Question | 0 |
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 | 13.1% | 32 |
| Same | 32.4% | 79 |
| Worse | 50.4% | 123 |
| No Opinion | 4.1% | 10 |
| Answered Question | 244 | |
| 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 | 11.1% | 27 |
| Same | 60.7% | 148 |
| Lower | 25.0% | 61 |
| No Opinion | 3.3% | 8 |
| Answered Question | 244 | |
| Skipped Question | 1 |
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 | 14.8% | 36 |
| Same | 63.0% | 153 |
| Lower | 18.1% | 44 |
| No Opinion | 4.1% | 10 |
| Answered Question | 243 | |
| Skipped Question | 2 |
5. Have your company's sales increased, stayed relatively the same, or decreased during the PAST SIX MONTHS?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
|---|---|---|
| Increased | 18.1% | 44 |
| Same | 35.0% | 85 |
| Decreased | 44.9% | 109 |
| No Opinion | 2.1% | 5 |
| Answered Question | 243 | |
| Skipped Question | 2 |
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 | 22.6% | 55 |
| Same | 39.1% | 95 |
| Decrease | 32.9% | 80 |
| No Opinion | 5.3% | 13 |
| Answered Question | 243 | |
| Skipped Question | 2 |
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 | 2.1% | 5 |
| Considered moving some operations | 2.9% | 7 |
| Considered moving all operations | 5.0% | 12 |
| Moved operations into Pennsylvania | 0.0% | 0 |
| Didn't consider any moves | 90.0% | 217 |
| Answered Question | 241 | |
| Skipped Question | 4 |
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 | 2.9% | 7 |
| May move some operations | 2.5% | 6 |
| Not considering any moves | 93.3% | 224 |
| May move operations INTO Pennsylvania | 1.3% | 3 |
| Answered Question | 240 | |
| Skipped Question | 5 |
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 George W. Bush | 33.3% (81) | 56.4% (137) | 10.3% (25) | 243 |
| Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke | 24.9% (60) | 47.7% (115) | 27.4% (66) | 241 |
| U.S. Senator Arlen Specter | 30.6% (74) | 46.3% (112) | 23.1% (56) | 242 |
| U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. | 19.3% (47) | 52.3% (127) | 28.4% (69) | 243 |
| U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson | 19.9% (48) | 53.9% (130) | 26.1% (63) | 241 |
| Governor Ed Rendell | 19.2% (46) | 72.5% (174) | 8.3% (20) | 240 |
| Attorney General Tom Corbett | 30.6% (74) | 15.3% (37) | 54.1% (131) | 242 |
| Auditor General Jack Wagner | 10.0% (24) | 15.5% (37) | 74.5% (178) | 239 |
| Answered Question | 243 | |||
| 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 | 8.3% (20) | 83.0% (200) | 8.7% (21) | 241 |
| United States House of Representatives | 4.1% (10) | 87.2% (212) | 8.6% (21) | 243 |
| Pennsylvania Senate | 13.2% (32) | 62.6% (152) | 24.3% (59) | 243 |
| Pennsylvania House of Representatives | 13.2% (32) | 62.4% (151) | 24.4% (59) | 242 |
| Answered Question | 243 | |||
| Skipped Question | 2 | |||
Section II: Issues
11. The state legislature is considering legislation to require employers to offer seven days of paid sick leave. How would this mandate affect your business operation? (Check all that apply.)
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
|---|---|---|
| NO IMPACT | 27.6% | 62 |
| GO OUT OF BUSINESS | 4.0% | 9 |
| REDUCE THE NUMBER OF HOURS EMPLOYEES WORK | 17.3% | 39 |
| LAYOFF EMPLOYEES | 16.0% | 36 |
| DROP OR REDUCE HEALTH CARE BENEFITS | 20.9% | 47 |
| CUT NUMBER OF PAID VACATION DAYS | 40.4% | 91 |
| DELAY OR CANCEL PAY RAISES | 46.2% | 104 |
| ALREADY OFFER MORE THAN SEVEN DAYS, BUT WOULD REDUCE THEM TO THE STATE MANDATE | 4.9% | 11 |
| Other * don't know * No effect - seasonal business - all part time employees * WE GIVE EMPLOYEES [10] PAID VACATION/SICK DAYS * This will put a huge price increase on the restaurant industry as it has in California * we compensate sick days through year end bonus * I would have to hire another person to cover days off and that would mean more money out of pocket so not sure how much that would effect our bottomline. Something would have to suffer to pay for it. If they were paid for their sick time some would call in more than they do. * Would just mean we could possibly have less to share in year end profit sharing. * Cancel paid personal days * downsize operations * We do not recognize any holidays or sick days. We give employees 30 PTO days to use as they like * My business is down to 1 full-time employee already * It would be a hardship * WOuld hurt sales alot, my company needs our employees daily | 13 | |
| Answered Question | 225 | |
| Skipped Question | 20 | |
12. How would an automatic minimum wage COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment), tied to the Consumer Price Index, impact your business?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
|---|---|---|
| LAY-OFF EMPLOYEES | 10.3% | 24 |
| FREEZE HIRING | 19.8% | 46 |
| REDUCE HOURS | 16.4% | 38 |
| RAISE PRICES | 24.6% | 57 |
| COMBINATION OF THE ABOVE | 31.5% | 73 |
| NO IMPACT | 34.1% | 79 |
| REFUSED/NO OPINION | 3.9% | 9 |
| Other * Increase charge for services * It may put us out of business. * we would just match the increase to pricing which would in effect sooner or later cut business * As long as we're paid more by the state it may be ok. * revise wage program * take steps to go out of business * reduce wages of higher paid employees to offset higher costs of doing business with suppliers * be employee's raise * force me to raise prices | 3.9% | 9 |
| Answered Question | 232 | |
| Skipped Question | 13 |
13. What is the best role that state government can play to stimulate the economy and create jobs?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
|---|---|---|
| LOWER TAXES AND REDUCE REGULATION ON ALL BUSINESSES | 78.9% | 172 |
| PROVIDE TAX BREAKS AND INCENTIVES TO SELECTED COMPANIES | 11.9% | 26 |
| REFUSED/NO OPINION | 9.2% | 20 |
| Other * Monitor for waste and corruption * they need to stop taking pay raises and unnecessary spending and give it back to the country * It is not the role of government to create jobs. * Pennsylvania really needs to offer tax breaks and incentives for companies to stay in pa. Too many are being lured by southern states who are offering tax breaks. PA needs to recognize that the best citizens of this state are leaving for better opportunities in other states. We lose more of our educated individuals than any other state in the country. * More breaks to the little guy. * Adopt a state Fairtax end end all other incone related taxes. * Rescind no smoking ban * Government reduce unneccessary spending * provide tax breaks/incentives for ALL businesses * the smaller businessess need help with all the regs and taxes * REDUCE FUEL PRICES * Improve economic climate * STOP IMPORTING SO MUCH AND MAKE AT LEAST SOMETHING HERE * Provide tax breaks and incentives to small businesses. * Quit playing politics - reduce all budgets - stop waste * Cut the size of goverment. * Support Renewable Energy from top to bottom = JOBS * Get out of the way, please!!!!!! * Grant Money and Tax incentives for Research & Development * LOWER PRICE OF GAS!!!!!!!!! * control spending on unncessary items * Tax the polluters, heavily * Need to work with the cities to reduce taxes there | 23 | |
| Answered Question | 218 | |
| Skipped Question | 27 | |
14. Do you FAVOR or OPPOSE leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike to a private company?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
|---|---|---|
| STRONGLY FAVOR | 5.2% | 12 |
| SOMEWHAT FAVOR | 14.8% | 34 |
| SOMEWHAT OPPOSE | 14.8% | 34 |
| STRONGLY OPPOSE | 49.1% | 113 |
| DON'T KNOW | 13.5% | 31 |
| REFUSED/NO OPINION | 2.6% | 6 |
| Answered Question | 230 | |
| Skipped Question | 15 |
15. Governor Ed Rendell says Pennsylvania's highway infrastructure is in "crisis"and hundreds of millions more must be spent to upgrade roads and bridges. Which of the following options would you support for securing that funding? (You may check more than one option.)
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
|---|---|---|
| LEASE THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE | 15.6% | 35 |
| RAISE GASOLINE TAXES | 14.7% | 33 |
| RAISE VEHICLE REGISTRATION/LICENSE RENEWAL FEES | 29.3% | 66 |
| RAISE STATE INCOME TAXES | 4.4% | 10 |
| REMOVE STATE POLICE FUNDING FROM THE MOTOR LICENSE FUND/MOVE FUNDS TO HIGHWAYS | 20.4% | 46 |
| ENTER INTO LONG-TERM DEBT (BOND ISSUE) | 17.3% | 39 |
| CUT SPENDING IN OTHER AREAS/MOVE FUNDS TO HIGHWAYS | 65.3% | 147 |
| CUT MASS TRANSIT FUNDING/MOVE FUNDS TO HIGHWAYS | 32.0% | 72 |
| Other * The Governor has not defined what "crisis" means. Futhermore, Pennsylvania should have the authority to establish tolls. * Impose a weight/ Distance fee system for all vehicles * Turnpike workers' wages seem too high - reduce them to ordinary standards - pay for skilled workers - toll takers are not skilled workers. * stop redirecting highway funds to bloated SEPTA * increase efficiency of PennDot crews- privatize!! * Stop funding highway projects where there is virtually NO flow of traffic ... particularly in rural areas * use a portion of the PA lottery monies * Raising gas tax would cut gas usage * raise tolls * Stop building Stadiums and non sense stuff * Eliminate the prevailing wage rates would cut costs by 25% or more * cut exhorbitant spending of elected officials who get MONTHS off, and expect them to pay AT LEAST half their own health insurance costs! * Use a combination of the above 5 * ASK THE PEOPLE THAT WANTED TO LEASE IT. THEY MUST KNOW SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T * Keep the tunrpike, increase profits for road repairs * have work done by contractor who will stand behind their work for more than one year. * Fire the people that run PennDOT * rather than lease the turnpike how about raising the rates on the turnpike and use that money for the highways. You could also use this additional revenue to pay back a long term bond * Raise toll fees to cover needed repairs - offer no tax bonds * quit sending highway funds to phila' * Cut the size of Goverment thus cutting cost. * take portion of pa lottery money! * Eliminate "prevailing wage" mandates; stick to roads and bridges - no more elaborate sound barriers where the only ears are ears of corn. * Eliminate Penndot and hire private companies with cost measures * Out source the administration overseeing these projects * TOO MUCH WASTED MONEY * Eliminate the prevailing wage/would save everyone $ * a minimum increase in the above 3 + funding the state policice as a seperate line item would be the most equitable way - Leasing the Tpk would be an option BUT I'd have to see the details. * Make everyone get an easy pass and put the millions of dollars into an escrow fund. Put the jobs of the toll personal into jobs to repair the roads. * combine PA DOT with PA Turnpike Commission reducing redundancy | 30 | |
| Answered Question | 225 | |
| Skipped Question | 20 | |
16. Do you think the U.S. economy is either currently in a recession or headed toward a recession?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
|---|---|---|
| ALREADY IN RECESSION | 50.2% | 116 |
| HEADED TOWARD RECESSION | 33.3% | 77 |
| IS NOT/WILL NOT BE IN RECESSION | 11.3% | 26 |
| DON'T KNOW | 5.2% | 12 |
| REFUSED/NO OPINION | 0.0% | 0 |
| Answered Question | 231 | |
| Skipped Question | 14 |
17. Do you think the federal take-over of mortgate companies Freddie MAC and Fannie MAE were a necessary move, or unwarranted government intrusion into the private sector?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
|---|---|---|
| NECESSARY MOVE | 57.6% | 133 |
| UNWARRANTED FEDERAL INTRUSION | 35.9% | 83 |
| REFUSED/NO OPINION | 6.5% | 15 |
| Answered Question | 231 | |
| Skipped Question | 14 |
18. Do you think the efforts to bail-out the financial services sector are a necessary step, or unwarranted government intervention in private markets?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
|---|---|---|
| NECESSARY STEP | 43.5% | 100 |
| UNWARRANTED GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION | 51.3% | 118 |
| REFUSED/NO OPINION | 5.2% | 12 |
| Answered Question | 230 | |
| Skipped Question | 15 |
19. Have you experienced any difficulty in obtaining needed credit as a result of the turmoil in the financial services sector?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
|---|---|---|
| YES | 16.5% | 38 |
| NO | 74.5% | 172 |
| REFUSED/NO OPINION | 9.1% | 21 |
| Answered Question | 231 | |
| Skipped Question | 14 |
20. Do you think more drilling for oil should be permitted of the shores of the United States?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
|---|---|---|
| YES | 87.7% | 200 |
| NO | 10.5% | 24 |
| REFUSED/NO OPINION | 1.8% | 4 |
| Answered Question | 228 | |
| Skipped Question | 17 |
21. Do you think oil drilling should be permitted in the Alaskan National Wildlife Reserve (ANWR)?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
|---|---|---|
| YES | 79.3% | 184 |
| NO | 17.2% | 40 |
| REFUSED/NO OPINION | 3.4% | 8 |
| Answered Question | 232 | |
| Skipped Question | 13 |
22. Westinghouse is building state-of-the-art nuclear reactors in China. Should Pennsylvania allow those reactors to be built here?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
|---|---|---|
| YES | 78.9% | 183 |
| NO | 10.3% | 24 |
| REFUSED/NO OPINION | 10.8% | 25 |
| Answered Question | 232 | |
| Skipped Question | 13 |
23. On a scale of one to five with one being the highest priority and five being the lowest priority, please rate the following methods of reducing America's dependence on foreign oil:
| ONE | TWO | THREE | FOUR | FIVE | Response Count | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MORE OFFSHORE DRILLING | 53.4% (118) | 13.1% (29) | 8.1% (18) | 6.8% (15) | 18.6% (41) | 221 |
| DRILLING IN ANWR | 43.2% (92) | 14.6% (31) | 13.1% (28) | 7.5% (16) | 21.6% (46) | 213 |
| CONSERVATION | 41.8% (94) | 15.6% (35) | 20.9% (47) | 8.9% (20) | 14.2% (32) | 225 |
| MORE NUCLEAR POWER GENERATION | 48.0% (106) | 17.6% (39) | 15.4% (34) | 7.7% (17) | 11.3% (25) | 221 |
| DEVELOPMENT OF SOLAR POWER | 46.2% (104) | 19.1% (43) | 15.1% (34) | 11.6% (26) | 8.9% (20) | 225 |
| DEVELOPMENT OF WIND POWER | 42.5% (96) | 18.6% (42) | 18.1% (41) | 9.3% (21) | 11.9% (27) | 226 |
| DEVELOPMENT OF TIDAL POWER | 27.4% (58) | 21.7% (46) | 24.5% (52) | 16.0% (34) | 10.8% (23) | 212 |
| DEVELOPMENT OF HYDROGEN POWERED VEHICLES | 34.2% (76) | 20.3% (45) | 24.3% (54) | 9.9% (22) | 11.7% (26) | 222 |
| DEVELOPMENT OF NATURAL GAS POWERED VEHICLES | 36.2% (80) | 23.1% (51) | 23.5% (52) | 11.3% (25) | 6.3% (14) | 221 |
| IMPROVED FUEL EFFICIENCY ON GASOLINE POWERED VEHICLES | 50.7% (116) | 17.5% (40) | 13.5% (31) | 7.4% (17) | 10.9% (25) | 229 |
| INCREASED MINING OF SHALE OIL RESERVES | 42.1% (93) | 23.1% (51) | 13.1% (29) | 7.7% (17) | 14.0% (31) | 221 |
| [td c5]Answered Question | 232 | |||||
| [td c5]Skipped Question | 13 |
24. IF the election for President of the United States were held today, would you vote for the Democratic ticket of Barack Obama and Joseph Biden, or would you vote for the Republican ticket of John McCain and Sarah Palin?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
|---|---|---|
| OBAMA/BIDEN | 16.5% | 38 |
| MCCAIN/PALIN | 70.6% | 163 |
| UNDECIDED | 13.0% | 30 |
| Answered Question | 231 | |
| Skipped Question | 14 |
25. In what part of Pennsylvania is your business located?
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest PA | 10.4% | 24 |
| Southwest PA | 11.7% | 27 |
| Northcentral PA | 9.6% | 22 |
| Altoona/Johnstown | 3.9% | 9 |
| Southcentral/Harrisburg | 13.5% | 31 |
| Southeastern PA | 36.5% | 84 |
| Lehigh Valley | 3.9% | 9 |
| Northeastern PA | 10.4% | 24 |
| Answered Question | 230 | |
| Skipped Question | 15 |
26. Which category best describes your position at the business in which your work:
| Response Percent | Response Count | |
|---|---|---|
| OWNER | 75.9% | 176 |
| CEO/COO/CFO | 11.2% | 26 |
| STATE MANAGER | 0.9% | 2 |
| LOCAL MANAGER | 4.7% | 11 |
| NO ANSWER/REFUSED | 3.4% | 8 |
| Other * The Governor has not defined what "crisis" means. Futhermore, Pennsylvania should have the authority to establish tolls. * Comment Text * Senior Admin. Asst. * Staff member * Employee * senior director * Consultant * marketing/publicity/outreach/development * VP of Operations * OFFICE MANAGER * Records Management/Quality Coordinator | 3.9% | 9 |
| Answered Question | 232 | |
| Skipped Question | 13 |
