LANSING – Michigan Business leaders see rising healthcare expenses as their greatest concern, while fewer expect the economy to improve very much over the next five years, contends a poll released Tuesday by the Detroit Regional Chamber.

The poll, traditionally released at the Chamber’s Mackinac Policy Conference, but this year will be used to drive the conference agenda, also showed concerns about the Michigan Business Tax, students unprepared for work, public transit and partisan politics.

The majority opinion among the business leaders is that the state economy, particularly in Southeast Michigan, continues to slide with no signs of recovery in sight. For the fifth year, the majority of business leaders contend the economy in the region continues to deteriorate, this year some 85 percent of the business leaders polled share that view.

But on the brighter side, some 66 percent expect the economy to improve in five years – down from 74 percent last year, but still better than expectations in .

Among those who said they are positive about the state’s economy, diversification and payoff from investments in redevelopment should drive growth. Those bearish on the economy cite the lack of governmental leadership, not enough diversification and too much union power.

But 29 percent also blamed partisan politics for inhibiting the state’s growth. More cooperation between the parties led suggestions for political reform, followed by 22 percent each for long-term spending reforms to control the state budget and at least longer term limits to allow legislators more time to learn the job.

Some 58 percent saw term limits as a failure, but only 27 percent would support abolishing term limits. Twenty-eight percent would extend them just for legislators and 20 percent would extend them for all limited offices. Only 16 percent would support a part-time legislature.

The new MBT was the top tax concern for 39 percent of business leaders, followed by the personal property tax at 22 percent. The poll did not specify what made those taxes of particular concern.

Among healthcare issues, 45 percent were most concerned about the cost of health insurance, followed by the impact of the uninsured on healthcare costs (24 percent) and the cost of prescription drugs (12 percent). Fewer business leaders were concerned about the lack of information on costs (11 percent) and access to healthcare (6 percent).

Regional transit was the biggest transportation issue, with 30 percent listing that as a top concern. Road condition was second at 25 percent and lack of funding third at 22 percent.

Business leaders were pretty close on education/workforce development concerns. The top concern for 28 percent was inadequate student preparation, but 25 percent saw attraction and retention of young talent as the top issue and 21 percent were most concerned about lack of early childhood programs. Fewer, 17 percent, were concerned about the cost of education.

As for the 2010 gubernatorial election, the largest group with a choice would vote for former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer (15 percent) and 2006 Republican candidate Dick DeVos (13 percent). Forty-six percent were undecided.

The poll was conducted by John Bailey and Associates Public Relations in Lansing of 200 business leaders in the Southeast Michigan region in March and had a margin of error of 7 percent.

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