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Shapiro's Proposed Budget Leaves Committee, Faces New Challenges
Brady Doran and Dennis Owens, Harrisburg ABC 27
March 25, 2026
A budget bill has started to move in the state legislature, and so has a proposal to reduce state income taxes. However, supporters have no reason to cheer yet. The state budget is due in July. Last year’s budget was not finalized until November. House Democrats want to get a jump on things and are moving forward with Governor Shapiro’s proposed budget. This isn’t the official budget, which still has to be negotiated and fought over. A fight hasn’t happened yet, but it will. Republicans oppose the $53 billion spending figure, which is about $4 million more than Pennsylvania collects. The move by Democrats symbolically shows that they want to get the process moving and will be able to say they introduced the budget in March. House Republicans, meanwhile, said they are focused on a series of affordability measures, including a six-month reduction in income taxes, from 3.07 to 2.99 percent.
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Women in Business to Publish
Top Non-Profit Female Leaders
To make your nomination, click here!
Pennsylvania Business Central’s Women in Business is excited to recognize the female nonprofit talent and leadership throughout our 23-county region with our annual Top Non-Profit Female Leaders list.
As we celebrate our 35th year of business coverage in 2026, Pennsylvania Business Central remains Central Pennsylvania’s #1 B2B media resource. The publication is distributed across a 23-county region to more than 35,000 business leaders, executives, and decision-makers. Our editorial board works closely with chambers of commerce, community leaders, and readers to identify the most dynamic and innovative non-profit female leaders throughout the region.
We are now seeking nominations for our 2026 Top Non-Profit Female Leaders edition which will be published in April. If you would like to nominate a Non-Profit Female Leader who is making a difference in their work place or community, simply complete the nomination form by using the link above. Every year, our editorial board reaches out to executives, chambers of commerce, community leaders and readers to send in nominations for selection.
We want to honor those individuals who have made a positive impact on central Pennsylvania business by consistently moving their non-profits forward, adapting to major changes and giving back to the community.
Nominations can be made anytime by using the link above, or by calling WIB Editor David Harry at 814-278-1323.
Deadline for submitting nominations is April 3, 2026.
Your input is vitally important to us. Help us honor those Non-Profit Female Leaders who are leading the way in central Pennsylvania – make a nomination! We want to hear from you!
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Pennsylvania State House Passes Bill That Would Raise Minimum Wage to $15 An Hour
Tom Lehman, Harrisburg WGAL 8
March 24, 2026
A bill raising Pennsylvania's minimum wage to $15 an hour has passed the state House. It would gradually increase the minimum wage in Pennsylvania to the $15 mark, which is more than double the current rate of $7.25 an hour. All of Pennsylvania's neighbors have a higher rate, with New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland all having an hourly minimum wage of at least $15. Opponents of the change have raised concerns about how it could affect small businesses, saying the number of people earning $7.25 an hour is low, and many employers are already paying well above $15 an hour. The bill passed by a 105-94 vote, as Republican Reps. Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny/Washington), Joe Emrick (R-Northampton), Joe Hogan (R-Bucks), and Kathleen Tomlinson (R-Bucks) joined the Democratic majority. Democratic Reps. Frank Burns (D-Cambria) and Chris Rabb (D-Philadelphia) voted no. The measure now heads to the Republican-controlled state Senate.
To continue reading this article, please click here.
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Milroy, PA - William J. Heath, chairman, MCS Bank Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Joseph (Joe) P. Harford Ph.D. to the bank’s board. Joe is an accomplished business leader, entrepreneur, educator, and community advocate with over 25 years of progressive executive experience spanning cybersecurity, enterprise risk, business operations, strategic development, and governance. He is the Founder and President of Reclamere, Inc., a Central Pennsylvania–based cybersecurity and IT asset risk management firm serving more than 400 clients across healthcare, financial services, education, and government sectors.
Dr. Harford’s academic credentials include a Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Workforce Education and Development from The Pennsylvania State University (2019). He also holds a Master of Science in Adult Education and a Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management from Penn State.
Dr. Harford’s governance experience extends beyond Reclamere. He served as an Adjunct Faculty member at Juniata College; he provided formal written testimony to the Pennsylvania House Majority Policy Committee on cybersecurity policy and public-private collaboration; and is an active community leader. His service roles have included Walker Township Supervisor; Board Member, and Secretary of Reach Cyber Charter School; facilitator of entrepreneurial mindset development; and business plan coach for the Prison Entrepreneurship Program.
In addition to professional leadership, Joe founded Farming2Freedom, a nonprofit focused on reducing recidivism and strengthening community reintegration pathways, reinforcing his commitment to societal impact and ethical leadership.
Joe and his wife Karen are the parents of two “fur-babies” Lacie and Remi. They reside in Huntingdon, PA.
MCS Bank is headquartered in Milroy, PA with branches in Allensville, Belleville, Burnham, Lewistown, Milroy, Mount Union, and McClure. MCS Bank offers insurance through its affiliate, MCS Insurance Agency, LLC, mortgage services through MCS Mortgage, and investment services through MCS Financial Advisors.
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PA House Lawmakers Approve Data Center
Regulation Bill
Justin Sweitzer, City & State Pennsylvania
March 24, 2026
Lawmakers in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Tuesday voted 104-95 to approve legislation that would task the state Public Utility Commission with developing statewide regulations for data centers as local concerns grow over their effects on communities – and electricity bills. The legislation, House Bill 1834, would direct the PUC to develop temporary and permanent regulations for commercial data centers to curb the effects that power-hungry data centers could have on electricity rates. Among other provisions, the bill would require data center regulations developed by the PUC to bar electric companies from passing on costs of infrastructure updates and energy demands from data centers onto customers. HB 1834 would also require the PUC to ensure data centers are responsible for costs associated with regional transmission, network upgrades, grid reliability and PJM emergency capacity procurement caused by commercial data centers.
To continue reading this article, please click here.
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Excellence in Action
Join the Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau for lunch and the Huntingdon County state of the tourism update, educational sessions and the presentation of the annual Destination Excellence Awards.
Date and Time
- Tuesday, April 28 from Noon until 6 p.m.
- Huntingdon County Arts Center (313 12th Street, Huntingdon, PA 16652)
Agenda
- Noon: Lunch
- 1 p.m.: Education Sessions (More information to come soon!)
- 4 p.m.: Cocktail hour
- 5 p.m.: Destination Excellence Awards Ceremony
Tickets are $60 per person for the full day or $35 for the award ceremony. You can also purchase Award Sponsor Tickets for $175 while supplies last.
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Interested in advertising in our enews?
Contact MacKenzie at mhuntsman@huntingdonchamber.com.
The cost is $25.00; $10.00 for 501(3) organizations. Yearly rates are available.
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Seminar: Employee or
Independent Contractor
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m.
Huntingdon County Career & Technology Center
Administrative Professionals Event
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Location TBA
Ribbon Cutting
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Open House 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Ribbon Cutting - 12:00 noon
Greene Hill Manor House
HCCC & Bonney Forge Corp. Annual Golf Tournament
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Registration - 12:00 noon
Shotgun Start - 1:00 p.m.
Dinner - 5:30 p.m.
Huntingdon Country Club
Business After Hours
Thursday, June 25, 2026
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Lincoln Caverns, Inc.
Business After Hours
Thursday, June 25, 2026
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Lincoln Caverns, Inc.
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Chamber Night at The Playhouse at McConnellstown: Muffed Special Performance
Friday, June 26, 2026
Members Only Reception 6-7 p.m.
Show Begins: 7:30 p.m.
The Playhouse at McConnellstown
Annual Membership Luncheon
Thursday, August 13, 2026
11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Location TBA
Huntingdon County Night at the Altoona Curve to benefit HC United Way
Saturday, August 15, 2026
6:00 p.m. w/ Fireworks After
Altoona Curve
Chamber Trip: Iceland
August 22-29, 2026
Annual Sporting Clay Tournament
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Shenecoy Sportsmen Club
Annual Awards Gala
Thursday, October 1, 2026
5:30 p.m. Reception
6:00 p.m. Dinner & Awards
Location TBA
Small Business Saturday
Saturday, November 28, 2026
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MEMBERS ONLY: Download our logo to use on your website. Click the logo for more information. Feel free to link the image on your website to our website, huntingdonchamber.com.
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If you are hiring, please send position information to mhuntsman@huntingdonchamber.com or login to the member section of our website to post your jobs.
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Did you know........
Small businesses represent the largest segment by number of most local chamber membership rolls. Results in the research study by The Shapiro Group, Inc. and Market Street indicate the impact of local chamber membership on small businesses is very powerful. If a consumer knows a small business is a member of its local chamber, the business enjoys a 44 percent increase in its consumer favorability rating, a 51 percent increase in consumer awareness, a 57 percent increase in its local reputation and a 63 percent increase in the likelihood that consumers will patronize the business in the future.
Research indicates that chamber membership stimulates business-to-business commerce in the local community. Other businesses in town are more likely to do business with you and your company if you are a member of the local chamber. Because a major part of a small business typically comes from business-to-business services, it is essential to maintain a positive standing within the local business community.
MEMBERS may download our logo to use on your website. Click the logo for more information.
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Looking for more ways to promote your business?
| | Huntingdon, PA Promotions & Activities | | Looking to start an endowment or to support community efforts? Click the logo above to learn more about the Huntingdon County Foundation. | | | | |
