04-20-10 EDC Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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blamed people 'at the top' who were too lenient in lending. Finally 6%stated that what is most -- needed is an improvement in the economy, followed by 5%who want a reduction in taxes. Of 737 respondents, 61%have not had their lender discuss any government programs that may help their business, and 2%stated that they do not discuss it and they do not ask, either. 27% of respondents stated that they do discuss this information with their lenders, 5%stated that they sometimes discuss it, and 1%discuss it if prompted. Only 2%stated that they do not want assistance, and 1%stated that they hear about lending from other sources (such as their Chamber of Commerce). Healthcare Businesses were asked the question 'Do you offer employer subsidized health insurance for your employees? Of the 1018 respondents, 49%stated they did, whereas 45%stated they did not. (Six percent were non-respondents). 397 respondents answered the question of why they offer employer subsidized healthcare. They stated overwhelmingly that it was important for recruitment, retention, and buy-in of the employees (53%),followed by an important right for employees, and a moral obligation that employers have to keep their co-workers healthy (44%). After that comes a steep decline, where 7%state they have already cut benefits, 4%state they only give benefits to full time employees, and 4%give a different plan to family members. Interestingly, 2% use these benefits as a tax-advantage, and 2% provide them only because they are a requirement. Respondents stated not giving health insurance as their firm is too small (37%),they do not have employees (14%), it is too expensive (12%), and they have independent contractors (9%). Seven percent state that they give extra money so employees can purchase their own, and 7%state that they only have part time and seasonal workers. More than half of respondents stated that purchasing health insurance for employees was difficult (51%vs. 36%). 428 respondents gave responses to why they do not offer healthcare. First, 71%state that it is too expensive,followed by 10%of respondents who state they are too small, 10%who state that mandates are prohibitive, 4%who state there is not enough competition, and 6%who state that it is too complex to figure out. Of the respondents commenting on why it is not difficult (126), 62%stated it is easily available, but prohibitively expensive. Following this, 15%stated that plans are available, 9%stated they had a good agent/options, 6%stated the rates were reasonable, 6%stated it's not too expensive, and 5%are self-insured. Respondents were asked what the state can do to make purchasing health insurance easier for small business. Of the 830 respondents, 26%stated that there should be increased competition (including opening up the state to other insurance companies). 23%stated they wanted a healthcare pool (perhaps created through the Chamber of Commerce or through joining several small businesses), 12%wanted a general reduction of cost, 12%stated they wanted no government intrusion, 10%wanted less mandates,and 9%wanted tort reform. Also, 5%wanted a single-payer system, 5%wanted tax incentives/subsidies, and 4%wanted better and more uniform regulation. What Can the Legislature Do? Finally, business were asked, 'What is the number one thing that the legislature could do to help small businesses succeed in Minnesota?What is the number one thing that the legislature should stop doing that impedes small businesses from succeeding in Minnesota?' Most business owners chose to discuss actions that the legislature should take (839 responses), rather