Most Detroit business leaders think the region will be in better shape five years from now than it is today.

However, the percentage that thinks so -- 69 percent -- is down from 74 percent a year ago.

The Detroit Regional Chamber released results Tuesday from the annual survey taken before the Mackinac Policy Conference that business and political leaders will attend later this month. 

The phone poll asked 200 senior-level executives from Detroit-area businesses to weigh in on the most pressing issues facing the region and state. The research was conducted by John Bailey & Associates. This is the fifth consecutive year the Chamber and JB&A have partnered together on the poll.
  
"The goal was to gauge the opinions of business so we could narrow the list of topics on the Mackinac agenda to those that are the most important for building a stronger Michigan," said Leslie A. Murphy, president and CEO of Murphy Consulting and chair for the 2008 Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference.  "We achieved our objective by incorporating the issues the business community wants to address into our policy sessions on the island."

Other highlights from this year's business survey include:

* The high cost of health insurance is the biggest concern for businesses; regarding health care but they are not convinced a universal coverage plan is the right solution;
* Thirty-nine percent rate the Michigan Business Tax as the main state tax concern;
* The lack of regional public transportation remains an issue for business leaders;
* Poor student preparation for the workforce as well as attraction and retention of young talent are the biggest education and workforce issues for business leaders;
* Twenty-nine percent identified partisan politics as limiting Michigan's ability to transform its economy;
* Fifty-eight percent rate Michigan's term limit law a failure; amd
* Among potential candidates for governor in 2010, former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer received the most support from the business community.
 
"Each year, this research project gives us the insight into business leaders' opinions that help shape the policy conference and decisions into the coming years," said John Bailey, president and CEO of JB&A.  "The private sector needs to be leaders in turning some of our regional and state challenges into successes. Their opinions are valued and are taken to heart."

The phone-survey results were supplemented with an online survey and two focus groups with business leaders and entrepreneurs in order to fine tune the list of topics to be addressed during the Mackinac conference. The outcome includes issues such as term limits, health care, talent retention and alternative energy which are slated to be session topics when the state's top political, business and community leaders gather on Mackinac Island on May 28-30.

"The poll and focus groups were designed to make the Mackinac Policy Conference an interactive experience for the business community and provide a roadmap for developing a playbook to take action on these issues after the conference," Murphy said.

To view the final report for the 2008 Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference Survey, visit www.detroitchamber.com/MPC/main.asp?content_id=161.