PENNSYLVANIA CHAMBER OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY

THE PA CHAMBER SERVES AS THE FRONTLINE ADVOCATE FOR BUSINESS IN PENNSYLVANIA. OUR HIGHLY VISIBLE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS TEAM TAKES ACTION TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICY AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL AND WORKS TO ENSURE THAT THE CONCERNS OF OUR MEMBERS ARE BEING HEARD BY ELECTED OFFICIALS. THROUGH LOBBYING, TESTIFYING AND SUBMITTING COMMENTS TO STANDING LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES, DEVELOPING KEY RELATIONSHIPS, ENGAGING IN GRASSROOTS ACTIVITIES, AND TRACKING BILLS AND REGULATIONS, THE PA CHAMBER PROMOTES PRO-BUSINESS LEGISLATION AND FIGHTS ANTI-BUSINESS LEGISLATION WITH ONE GOAL IN MIND: IMPROVING THE BUSINESS CLIMATE AND CREATING A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR EVERY PENNSYLVANIAN. LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES ON BEHALF OF OUR MEMBERSIN 2023, THE PA CHAMBER WORKED DILIGENTLY TO ADVOCATE FOR A STRONGER BUSINESS CLIMATE IN PENNSYLVANIA, WITH A FOCUS ON SECURING PRO-GROWTH WINS IN TAX REFORM, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND PERMITTING REFORM. WE SUCCESSFULLY WORKED IN A BIPARTISAN WAY WITH A DIVIDED STATE LEGISLATURE TO ENACT TWO SIGNIFICANT WORKFORCE REFORM LAWS: ACT 36 OF 2023, WHICH EXPANDS THE CLEAN SLATE LAW AND WIDENS THE POOL OF WORKERS TO THOSE WHO HAVE COMMITTED CERTAIN LOW-LEVEL, NON-VIOLENT DRUG FELONIES; AND ACT 44 OF 2023, WHICH LIMITS RESTRICTIONS ON REENTRANTS IN PROBATION TO HELP THEM OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT. ANOTHER WIN FOR BUSINESS ACT 42 OF 2023 SETS UP AN OFFICE OF ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME THEFT WITHIN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE TO ADDRESS RISING OCCURRENCES OF RETAIL THEFT AND ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME. IN ADDITION, THE PA CHAMBER CELEBRATED A 2023-24 STATE BUDGET THAT INCLUDED NO NEW TAXES ON EMPLOYERS, MAINTAINED THE PLANNED PHASE-DOWN OF THE COMMONWEALTH'S CORPORATE NET INCOME TAX (WHICH CURRENTLY STANDS AT 8.49 PERCENT); AND MADE KEY INVESTMENTS IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES (INCLUDING CHILDCARE AND CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION) THAT WILL HELP FILL OPEN POSITIONS. BEYOND LEGISLATION THAT WAS ULTIMATELY ENACTED, THERE CONTINUES TO BE BIPARTISAN MOMENTUM FOR TAX AND PERMITTING REFORM, AS BILLS THAT ADDRESS BOTH OF THESE HIGH-PRIORITY ISSUES HAVE ADVANCED IN THE LEGISLATURE THIS SESSION.

IN MID-DECEMBER 2023, THE PA CHAMBER WELCOMED A NEAR-SELL-OUT CROWD OF BUSINESS LEADERS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS TO THE HERSHEY LODGE FOR THE 39TH ANNUAL CHAMBER DINNER. THE THEME, "A CELEBRATION OF PENNSYLVANIA," SHOWCASED THE COMMONWEALTH'S EXCELLENCE AS IT WELCOMED TWO FAMOUS NATIVES ACADEMY AWARD-NOMINATED ACTOR, DIRECTOR, WRITER, AND PRODUCER BRADLEY COOPER, WHO WAS THE EVENING'S KEYNOTE SPEAKER; AND AWARD-WINNING, MULTI-PLATINUM RECORDING ARTIST GABBY BARRETT, WHO PERFORMED THE FIRST-EVER CHAMBER DINNER CONCERT AS THE EVENING GOT UNDERWAY. IN ADDITION TO ATTRACTING 1,800 GUESTS, THE EVENT ALSO PROVIDED A HIGH VALUE TO SPONSORS, GENERATING A RECORD-SETTING AMOUNT IN SPONSORSHIP REVENUE. IN ADDITION TO THE STAR POWER OFFERED BY BRADLEY COOPER AND GABBY BARRETT, THE EVENING ALSO FEATURED A DIALOGUE BETWEEN SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE KIM WARD AND HOUSE SPEAKER JOANNA MCCLINTON THAT WAS MODERATED BY ABC27 ANCHOR DENNIS OWENS. THE LAWMAKERS OFFERED A GLIMPSE INTO THEIR COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT AND POSITIVE PROSPECTS FOR BIPARTISAN, PRO-BUSINESS POLICY ADVANCEMENT. THE PA CHAMBER WAS GRATEFUL TO THE GENEROUS SPONSORS, PARTNERS, AND GUESTS FOR MAKING THE 39TH ANNUAL DINNER AN UNFORGETTABLE AND WELL-RECEIVED EXPERIENCE.