California Business and Economic Outlook Survey of Executives’ Attitudes March 17, 2011
Survey of Business Executives Survey of 874 California business executives February 22 - March 9, 2011 MOE @95% confidence is ±3.4% Sample generally reflective of size, location, industry mix of California businesses
Generally speaking, do you think that things in California are going in the right direction, or do you feel things have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track? Right Direction Wrong track
How would you currently rate California's economy?
What is your outlook for California’s economy over the next year?
What is the outlook for your own business over the next year?
Overall, has your company added or reduced jobs in California over the past year?
Does your company plan to add or reduce jobs in California over the next year?
My company only does business in California Would you say it is easier or harder to do business in California than in other states? Easier About the same Harder My company only does business in California
What would you say are the biggest challenges to doing business in California? 1st 2nd Combined Too much government regulation 39 18 57 High state and/or local taxes 13 17 30 High cost of health care 9 15 24 State budget deficit 12 9 21 High labor costs 8 9 17 Hiring and maintaining a qualified workforce 4 8 12 High cost of housing 4 6 10
What would you say are the biggest advantages to doing business in California? 1st 2nd Combined Climate/weather 31 28 59 Quality of Life 15 19 34 State is leader in many industries 14 12 26 Access to large and lucrative markets 13 8 21 Culture of innovation/R&D 8 9 17 Availability of qualified/skilled workers 9 7 16
Please select the issue you think elected officials in Sacramento should be paying most attention to? 1st 2nd Combined State budget deficit 30 16 46 Economy and job creation 28 17 45 Labor regulations 9 11 20 Illegal immigration 8 12 20 Taxes 6 9 15 Health care costs 4 11 15 Quality of public schools & higher ed 5 8 13
The state currently faces a $25 billion budget deficit The state currently faces a $25 billion budget deficit. How serious a problem do you think this is?
Do you think California state government should deal with the budget deficit through spending cuts, through tax increases, or through a mixture of both?
In dealing with the state budget, which of the following is the highest priority for elected officials?
Which of these reforms would be your top choice for dealing with the California state budget?