Business Barometer

2007 Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Business Barometer
Annual Statewide Poll Reinforces Minnesota Chamber Priorities

Access to affordable health care is the leading business issue in Minnesota, and high taxes are the biggest barrier to creating jobs in this state, according to the fourth annual Minnesota Business Barometer Survey. Concern over lack of transportation infrastructure is growing in intensity, but funding remains a conflicted issue. 

The statewide poll of state’s business community once again reinforces that the Minnesota Chamber priorities fundamentally reflect the concerns of all businesses. The Business Barometer was co-sponsored by the Minnesota Chamber and Himle Horner. The statewide poll surveyed 350 businesses with at least five employees. It was conducted in June and July and has a plus-minus margin of error of for the full sample of 5.3 percent.  Findings from this research were released publicly on September 26, 2007.

ECONOMY: Mixed views

1. Profitability is improving, but it may not result in greater employment yet.
2. Businesses are more confident that Minnesota has a better business climate than other states.

TOP ISSUES:  Health care still No. 1

1. Access to affordable care ranked by 56 percent as either No. 1 or No. 2 issue.
2. 65 percent of businesses report providing health care as a benefit to employees.
3. Businesses will make changes to deal with rising costs as they see fewer choices in the market, but most unlikely to completely end coverage
4. Comparative figures for other top issues: Controlling taxes and spending – 43 percent; K-12 education – 38 percent; transportation – 26 percent

BARRIERS TO JOB CREATION: Taxes remain No. 1

1. Tax burden continues as No. 1 barrier, cited by 33 percent
2. Taxes biggest concern among small and medium businesses, those with declining revenues
3. Growing global competition biggest threat to companies with 50-plus employees
4. Other major barriers: worker shortages; government regulation

TRANSPORTATION: A conflicted issue

1. Issue is growing in importance; 30 percent say system worse than five years ago
2. Overwhelming support – 84 percent -  for new money for highways and transit
3. No consensus on the source of new revenue

WORKFORCE, K-12 EDUCATION: More resources spent on workforce development

1. Half of respondents regularly spending resources on training
2. Most of the spending – 87 percent – is on skills specific to industry

ENERGY: More base-load power and sensitive to environment

1. Energy concerns have lessened for businesses
2. Issue needs definition: 90 percent support reduced greenhouse gases, yet 56 percent support construction of a coal plant
3. Majority supports new nuclear plant – 56 percent – to meet base-load needs

AT THE CAPITOL: Improved confidence in Legislature

1. Nearly half – 46 percent – of respondents rate legislative performance as good or excellent
2. Still, almost 70 percent say lawmakers failed to address most important problems
3. Nearly 60 percent rate governor’s performance as good or excellent

BUDGET:  State must live within its means

1. Two-thirds say the projected $2.2 billion surplus was adequate to meet state’s needs
2. Three-fourths say inflation increases should not be automatic in budget forecasts

JUDICIAL ELECTIONS: Keep out the politics

1. Three-fourths say elections should focus on candidate qualifications, not political views
2. Only 5 percent believe judicial elections should include partisan activities

Download a copy of the PowerPoint (PDF)

Download a copy of the 2-page summary (PDF)