The MBA expresses sincere gratitude to all who completed the 2025Government Affairs Survey. Your answers help shape the Association’s legislative priorities and advocacy for a pro-business, pro-growth climate in Pennsylvania.
The MBA hopes it helps employers understand where they reside among their peers. Please note: Percentages refer to the number of respondents for each question. Not all questions received a response; therefore, totals may not equal 100.
Who took the survey and how many full- time employees do they have? Seven-eight percent were C Corporations or Sub- Chapter S-Corporations, and 18 percent were partnerships or Limited Liability Corporations. Forty-four percent have one to 19 employees; 36 percent have 20 to 99, and 16 percent have over 100 employees. The respondents included 41 manufacturers, 18 in professional services, and 12 from the nonprofit sector. Others were from various types of companies.
The response to “What Keeps You Up at Night?” was consistent with past surveys. Health insurance costs were tied with workforce as the No. 1 concern. Regulations, state and federal taxes, the cost of electricity and other forms of energy rounded out the top five concerns.
The perennial business pre-occupation with keeping health insurance costs manageable shows a split in approaches. Forty-six percent will share the cost increases with employees, and 41 percent will absorb the cost. Twenty-seven percent will move to a higher deductible plan.
Several questions were asked about workforce because there is a declining workforce-age population in the Commonwealth. Hiring plans are not as robust as previous years with 67 employers hiring just one to five entry level employees in 2025. Eleven employers may hire six to 10 workers, and seven may hire 11 or more workers. Fifty-seven employers required 10 applicants/interviews to find one worker, while 34 required anywhere from 20 to an astounding 50.
Of the “What are specific skills and/or positions you are looking for?” responses, there were three areas that rose to the top: 1) professional positions; 2) general labor, manufacturing skills, tradesmen; and 3) sales positions.
Some companies have changed attendance requirements or other aspects to meet worker retention and attraction. Fifty- three companies created a flexible work environment per employee request such as attending school events and medical appointments; 32 changed shift schedules to accommodate workers; and 25 companies implemented hybrid work arrangements. For the “What steps would you take if a $15.00/hour minimum wage is enacted?” responses, 62 percent would maintain the status quo; 24 percent would give all other employees raises due to the ripple effect of a high starting wage; and 23 percent would automate where applicable.
Regarding taxes, the bulk of the replies supported: 1) maintaining the Small Business Tax Deduction, part of the 2017 federal tax law, 2) A reduction in PA’s 3.07 percent personal income tax rate, and 3) elimination of the PA inheritance tax.
Ways to Increase the availability and affordability of different forms of energy garnered attention. Three top recommendations were: 1) permit the construction of natural gas infrastructure to move it where needed, 2) encourage and foster the development of nuclear energy and 3) educate the public on energy policy and what is involved in building out PA’s energy infrastructure.
For the first time transportation was included as an issue to gage how much employers know about how transportation impacts their workforce.
Several conclusions were drawn. Employers are generally not aware of transportation problems. All of the respondents said a personal vehicle was the primary mode of transportation. Employers who have a difficult time finding workers may understand that transportation is a workforce issue. Many employers believe it has little impact on worker recruitment yet simultaneously they believe better public transit routes and schedules would help.
Thank you to all who replied and supplied data for The MBA. We hear you!
Eileen Anderson is the director of Government Relations at The MBA. Contact her at 412/805-5707 or eileenanderson@ mbausa.org.
