February 6, 2026

Gov. Shapiro Taps Rainy Day Fund to Balance $53B Proposed Budget for Next Fiscal Year

Tracy Rozens, Pennsylvania Business Report

February 3, 2026

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Tuesday unveiled a $53.3 billion budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026-27 that relies on taking $4.6 billion out of the state's Rainy Day Fund for emergencies and on revenues that may not materialize. The budget plan represents an increase of $2.72 billion, or 5.4%, over the current fiscal year. Shapiro's budget proposal includes approximately $2 billion in revenues from taxing skills games and legalizing recreational marijuana - initiatives that previously died in the Legislature. The Democratic governor told the General Assembly during his budget address that he has made historic investments in education, strengthened public safety, and driven economic development that has created over 21,500 good-paying jobs and attracted more than $39 billion in private-sector investment across the Commonwealth. But Republican lawmakers and financial experts issued warnings that massive tax increases could be on the horizon if the government keeps spending billions of dollars a year more than it is bringing in. To continue reading this article, please click here.

February 3, 2026

Harrisburg, PA - Today, Governor Josh Shapiro delivered his 2026-27 Budget Address to the General Assembly and to the people of Pennsylvania. To read the Governor's Budget Address, please click here.

PA Chamber Statement on Gov. Shapiro's FY 2026-27 Budget Address

Harrisburg - Today, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President & CEO Luke Bernstein issued the following statement in response to Gov. Josh Shapiro's Fiscal Year 2026-27 state budget address:

"The governor's budget address is the first step in a long and important process. As this process advances, we remain focused on proposals that improve Pennsylvania's ability to increase and attract investment, create jobs, and grow our economy. Our collective goal should be to make Pennsylvania the best state in the country to do business.

"Recent bipartisan efforts have advanced our competitiveness through tax reforms, improved permitting, encouraging energy generation, and workforce initiatives that help employers find and train talent. These results demonstrate what is possible when the Administration and General Assembly prioritize making Pennsylvania a stronger environment for business growth.

"Pennsylvania has made meaningful progress in many key areas, but other states are also working aggressively to attract jobs and investment. As the budget process moves forward, we urge caution against measures that would undermine our competitiveness - like adding complexity to our tax laws, creating new barriers to investment, committing the Commonwealth to unsustainable spending, and government overreach into the private sector.

We look forward to working with the governor and policymakers in the months ahead to ensure Pennsylvania continues moving in the right direction."

For a synopsis of the address prepared by the PA Chamber of Business and Industry, please click here.

Minimum Wage Gets Renewed Focus In Pennsylvania

Christen Smith, The Center Square

February 5, 2026

Pennsylvania's minimum hourly wage has been unchanged for 16 years, even as its neighboring states have climbed into the double-digits. Unlike years past, however, Gov. Josh Shapiro's budget proposal on Tuesday places a strong emphasis on finally bringing the rate from $7.25 to $15, highlighting it as key to economic growth, entitlement reform, and population security. "Listen, if you aren't going to do this because it's the right thing to do or because it would let more families put food on the table for their kids," Shapiro said, "then do it because it's going to save us $300 million and shrink our entitlement budget by growing our workforce and putting more money back in our workers' pockets." The "you" in the governor's comments refers to Republican legislators, who have been remiss in raising the rate too high for fear of collapsing the job market for low-income workers. Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, R-Indiana, one of the Legislature's key budget negotiators, said even at $15, minimum wage workers will be unable to "effectuate the American dream." "We are willing to have a conversation about minimum wage and to see if we can come to a compromise, but based on the way the governor delivered that message, I think he's more interested in the political talking point than actually getting something done on the issue," he said.

To continue reading this article, please click here.

Senate Panel Upholds Local Decisions on Data Centers

Robert Swift, Capitolwire

February 4, 2026

A Senate committee voted to uphold local decisions on data centers Wednesday by amending a fast-track approval bill. The Communications and Technology Committee voted unanimously for the amendment sponsored by Majority Chair Tracy Pennycuick, R-Bucks, to Senate Bill 939. Explaining the amendment, Penncuick said if local officials deny a data center project state officials should respect the decision. The amendment stipulates that data centers need to secure their own power sources, an idea heard in several places this week at the Capitol. The amendment removes bill provisions fast-tracking approval of data center projects and putting limits on the power of local ordinances to regulate them. The language struck from SB 939 said local data center ordinances can't be more stringent in such areas as height and noise than for industrial uses. SB 939 was introduced last July by Sen. Greg Rothman, R-Cumberland, and Pennycuick with the goal of approving data centers in a state-run fast track process and having uniform local zoning. Pennycuick said Wednesday that data centers can be important job creators, but there is discussion about where and how to site them. She said the bill would remain in her committee for more work as part of an evolving process.

To continue reading this article, please click here.

The Governor's Award for Safety Excellence (GASE) Review Committee is accepting nominations!

View a Message from Deputy Secretary Gerald Mullery

This award aims to recognize outstanding workplace health and safety programs and the superior efforts that make these programs so successful. Pennsylvania employers may nominate themselves or may be nominated by a third party.

• Use the Request for GASE Nomination Form to receive a link to the GASE Nomination Form and Worksheet.
• Use the worksheet to gather your information and prepare your responses.
• Copy and paste your collected responses from the worksheet to the nomination form.

The GASE Review Committee looks forward to learning about your exemplary safety program and the unique efforts you use to keep your employees healthy and safe.

Questions?

Contact the GASE Program Coordinator

RA-LIBWC-GASE@pa.gove or (717) 886-9118

2025 GASE Winners

Buckeye Corrugated Inc. d/b/a BCI Lancaster Division

Etzel Engineer and Build, Inc.

U.S. Facilities, Inc.

Zartman Construction, Inc.

DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS NEXT THURSDAY!

The Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau, Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce, Huntingdon County Business and Industry and Huntingdon County Arts Council are working together to promote "Raystaurant Week," February 21-March 1, 2026. To participate, a restaurant, food truck or caterer need not be a member or partner of any of the organizations, but must agree to participate in at least one of the theme days. Participation does not necessarily mean offering discounts, but rather featuring daily special menu items or partnering with another entity to do cross-promotion that fit the day's theme, as well as providing a check-in incentive provided through the campaign to your customers when they come to your restaurant during the week.

HCVB will be featuring paid advertisements for Raystaurant Week in The Daily News, WTAJ-TV, and on Seven Mountains Media and Quick Rock radio stations that will drive customers to a landing page on Raystown.org featuring all of the week's participants. Several of the media outlets will also offer opportunities for each participating restaurant to purchase advertisements at a cooperative discount rate to feature their own establishment.

This is the second year coordinating a restaurant week promotion, and our target market is locals and travelers within 50-100 miles of Huntingdon County. We know some of these questions might involve other members of your staff, so the form is set-up so you can come back to it and edit as needed.

If you own or represent multiple restaurant locations, please complete one form for each.

We're beyond thrilled to announce our inaugural Women's Conference presented by Geisinger, Leading As You Are: Confidence in Leadership and Life, focused on encouraging authenticity, confidence, and courage in leadership.

The conference will take place on Friday, March 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Ellis Hall Ballroom at Juniata College. (We thank Juniata College for their partnership on this event!)

As we prepare for this exciting event, we are seeking businesses and organizations interested in investing in the professional development of women. This conference will bring together women from across our community for a full day of inspiration, learning, and meaningful connection - and your support can help make a lasting impact.

We would the opportunity to partner with you and highlight your commitment to leadership, growth, and community engagement. Sponsorship opportunities offer visibility, connection, and the chance to directly support women as they lead in business, organizations, and life.

Thank you for considering being part of this impactful event. We look forward to connecting with you.

Please click here for the full pdf version of the investment package.

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.

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.

Contact Us

MacKenzie Huntsman

President/ CEO

mhuntsman@huntingdonchamber.com

Trinity Smith

Program Director

trinity@huntingdonchamber.com

500 Allegheny Street

Huntingdon, PA 16652

Phone: 814-643-1110

Fax: 814-643-1115

www.huntingdonchamber.com