Montanans Support for Business at All-Time High

The results of the Montana Chamber's 2008 Legislative Power-base poll are in, and they show the strongest support yet from voters for business in the history of the poll.

The Power Base (P-Base) is an annual scientific poll of 600 Montana voters on a variety of business and political issues with a 4.1% margin of error. The poll has been commissioned by the Montana Chamber of Commerce since 1991 to determine what regular Montanans think about important economic issues facing our state. This poll was conducted November 11-14, 2008.

“The message from the survey is very clear: Montanans want to see the state move towards long-term, sustainable growth by increasing natural resource development, improving our business climate, and creating more good-paying jobs,” said Webb Brown, President/CEO of the Montana Chamber.

ECONOMY & LEGISLATURE
Voters are very positive about the direction of Montana’s economy. 55% of voters believe the state’s economy is on the right track, as opposed to 31% who think we are on the wrong track. Conversely, they are very negative about the direction of the nation. 81% said the national economy is on the wrong track.

The P-Base is a good opportunity to see what financial concerns are on the minds of voters. For the third straight year, health care costs continue to be a top concern at 24% and higher energy costs come in second at 15%. Additionally, job creation and increased wages are the top priority for the next legislative session at 31%. Put this together with the 19% who cited development and business growth and you get a full 50% of those surveyed who mention economic issues as their top legislative priority. All other concerns were in the single digits.

ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
As in prior surveys, the P-Base shows Montanans want to see more business growth, especially in high-wage businesses like the natural resource industries. For example, a record 75% of Montana voters want the state to encourage more timber, mining, oil & gas development while only 14% are opposed. 63% believe Montana’s environment is currently well protected with existing laws. Additionally, a strong 76% favor new development of coal-powered electrical generation to provide more long-term, low-cost energy for the state.

LABOR ISSUES
Strong majorities of voters believe businesses can be trusted to make important decisions in treating workers fairly when it comes to benefits, hiring & firing employees 63% to 23%.

Additionally, the poll asked about an issue that’s bound to be very controversial in 2009. When asked if they would support Congressional action to take away a worker’s right to a secret ballot in a union election (a provision in the so-called “Employee Free Choice Act”), an overwhelming 77% of Montana voters said no, while only 14% supported it.

GOOD GOVERNMENT REFORMS
The P-Base also regularly tests opinions on a variety of good government issues. This time, the Montana Chamber asked whether state government should be required by law to analyze the impacts of new laws and rules to small businesses. An overwhelming 70% said “yes.” In addition, a decisive 94% believe that all state and local government officials should be required to report all of their lobbying expenses just like other lobbyists.

“If we work with Montanans to create a strong economy, we can weather this storm of economic uncertainty and look forward to many years of prosperity,” said Brown.

For more information on the poll, please contact Jon Bennion, Government Relations Director for the Montana Chamber at (406) 442-2405, ext. 104, or at jon@montanachamber.com.

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2009 Business Days at the Capitol, January 5&6
Reserve your room early, call the Best Western Helena Great Northern Hotel at 406.457.5500
Webb Scott Brown, CAE, President/CEO
Montana Chamber of Commerce - your business advocate
incl.: Montana Justice Coalition, Montana Manufacturing Council, and Montana Assn. of Chamber Executives
900 Gibbon St / PO Box 1730
Helena, Montana 59624-1730
406-442-2405 ext. 101 / 406-442-2409 fax / 406-431-9508 cell
www.montanachamber.com / webb@montanachamber.com
or:
Webb Brown, Executive Vice President
Montana Chamber Foundation
incl.: Governors' Cup, High School Business Challenge
406-443-7888
PO Box 1162
Helena MT 59624-1162
also:
Montana Chamber Choices health insurance www.chamberchoices.com
Montana Chamber blog www.montanamainstreetblog.typepad.com

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