PENNSYLVANIA CHAMBER OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY


PA CHAMBER STATEMENT ON PA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR & INDUSTRY'S REVISED OVERTIME ELIGIBILITY PROPOSAL

HARRISBURG -  Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement regarding the PA Department of Labor & Industry's latest proposal to dramatically alter overtime eligibility rules in Pennsylvania.

"This proposal is only minimally different from the Department's initial proposal, which the PA Chamber opposed along with a broad range of stakeholders including nonprofits, higher education, local governments, small businesses among many others who described unsustainable cost increases and harm to workplace morale as employees are forced to be shifted from guaranteed salaries to hourly clock-in, clock-out positions.  Hundreds of opposition comments were submitted to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission, which ultimately echoed many of the same concerns and directed the Department to re-engage with stakeholders.

"As part of the rulemaking process the PA Chamber and a number of local chambers of commerce, at the request of the Department, convened roundtable meetings around the Commonwealth with employers from different sectors of the economy who shared their perspective on the unintended, but profoundly harmful, impact of this proposal.  This included publicly-funded nonprofits who can't raise prices and would likely be forced to cut services to vulnerable residents.

"Unfortunately, these concerns were largely disregarded in the Department's latest version of the rule.  We urge the Independent Regulatory Review Commission and lawmakers to consider the true impact of this proposal and reject it."

STATE TAX REFORMS NEEDED TO HELP BOOST PA'S COMPETITIVENESS IN THE GLOBAL MARKET

Pennsylvania is full of economic potential. Our prime location, ample natural resources, world-class educational institutions, diverse industry base and strong work ethic provide a host of opportunities for the Commonwealth's private sector. And yet, we are often overlooked for new investment opportunities. In July 2019, the financial ratings website WalletHub rated Pennsylvania a very dismal 45th in the nation when analyzing the best states in which to start a business.  Our state also ranked third from the bottom in terms of its overall business environment.  And, last year, Amazon's decision to pass over Pennsylvania as the site for its HQ2 headquarters - an announcement that the PA Chamber met with great disappointment  - was another missed opportunity that necessitated a strong examination of why the Commonwealth wasn't chosen.  One of the most glaring factors hurting Pennsylvania's overall business climate is something the PA Chamber has pointed out for decades puts the state at a great disadvantage - an uncompetitive and overly complicated Tax Code...  Complete article available here:  PA Chamber - Other State Taxes


For more information from the PA Chamber, please visit:  PA Chamber of Business and Industry


FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF PHILADELPHIA
ECONOMIC NEWS

OCTOBER 2019 MANUFACTURING BUSINESS OUTLOOK SURVEY

Manufacturing activity in the region continued to grow, according to results from the October Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey. The survey's broad indicators remained positive, although their movements were mixed this month: The general activity and shipments indicators decreased from their readings last month, but the indicators for new orders and employment increased. The survey's future activity indexes remained positive, suggesting continued optimism about growth for the next six months. Continue reading the report here:  October 2019 Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey

ANALYSIS: OCTOBER UNEMPLOYMENT RATE NOWCASTS

November 1, 2019 - Unemployment rates for October are expected to decrease in New Jersey, remain unchanged in Pennsylvania, and increase in Delaware, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's nowcasts. Read the report here: October Unemploymemt Rate Nowcasts


For more information from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, please visit:  Philadephia Fed

 
PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION

PA'S ENERGY SECTOR: BUILDING COMMUNITIES

PMA Perspective profiles Cabot Oil & Gas and the economic, educational, and community work they are doing in Northeast PA. David N. Taylor interviews George Stark, Cabot's Director of External Affairs, about the company's ongoing efforts to train the next generation of the natural gas workforce and to support Susquehanna County and the surrounding communities. Watch the video here: PMA - Building Communities


For more information from Pennsylvania Manufacturer's Association, please visit:  PMA

 
TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT
ASSOCIATION OF CHESTER COUNTY

ALTERNATIVE FUELS EVENT

This Friday, November 8th, join TMACC to learn more about building a clean energy transportation infrastructure. For more information or to register, please visit:  TMACC Bulding a Clean Energy Transportation Infrastructure Event

 


2019 TRANSPORTATION INNOVATION FALL BREAKFAST

Join TMACC for an in-depth discussion on the future of 5G technology and how it relates to transportation: For more information or to register, please visit: TMACC Transportation Innovation Breakfast

 


For more information from Transportation Management Association of Chester County, please visit:  TMACC

 
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR GREATER PHILADELPHIA

GROW PA UPDATES

The State of Innovation: Generating Ideas to Grow PA Recap: Last week, some 150 business and civic leaders from around the Commonwealth participated in an event examining the current state of Pennsylvania's innovation economy and ways Pennsylvania can jumpstart innovation once again. Participants heard Brookings discuss their new report that showed that the state's innovation economy now faces a significant set of challenges, including the absence of a comprehensive state innovation strategy, below-average industry R&D, reduced investment in state resources for early-stage companies, and significant disparity between Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and State College from the rest of the state.

Governor Wolf Sign's HB 265: HB 265 Articulation Agreement Database was signed into law this past week. The bill includes several Grow PA workforce focused measures including language from SB 297 which requires the PA Department of Education to develop materials outlining workforce needs including training opportunities and future earning potential and HB 796 which creates a grant program incentivizing new apprenticeship programs.

 

SB 596 Passes out of Committee: The Senate Consumer Protection And Professional Licensure passed SB 596 Pennsylvania Clean Transportation Infrastructure Act out of committee. View the full bill: chmbr.biz/sb596ev

 

Chester County Grow PA Event: The Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry hosted a Grow PA gathering on October 31st to hear from Moody's about the state of the Commonwealth and discuss ideas to grow Pennsylvania's population and retain and attract young people. Moody's reported that Pennsylvania's population would further decline if the state does not begin to reverse its current trajectory.  The group also heard from Representative Martina White (R-Phila) about the need for further investments in the state's infrastructure. Rep. White is chair of the House Commission on Infrastructure, examining the need for statewide funding for transportation infrastructure.



  For more information from Grow PA - Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, please visit:  Grow PA

 

 
CHESTER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

SEPTA OFFICIAL HIGHLIGHTS CHESTER COUNTY PROJECTS

Elizabeth "Liz" Smith, assistant treasurer of strategic initiatives at Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), attended the Chester County Planning Commission's board meeting on Oct. 9 and discussed the role of her public transportation agency and its partnership with the county.  Smith said the biggest service that SEPTA has in Chester County is the Paoli-Thorndale Regional Rail service, which has 88 weekday trips and an average ridership of 19,600. SEPTA also offers eight bus routes in Chester County... Continue reading the article here: SEPTA Official Attends CCPC Board Meeting

LANDSCAPES3 EARNS MORE RECOGNITION

Landscapes3, Chester County's updated comprehensive plan, was recognized by the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) with the 2019 Award for Plans. The award was presented to Chester County at the APA annual conference on Oct. 21 in Reading, Berks County where other outstanding planning projects, planners, and public officials from across the state were recognized for achievements in planning.  Learn more about Landscapes3 here: Chester County Planning Commission Landscapes3


For more information from Chester County Planning Commission, please visit:  Chesco Planning

 
PA CAREERLINK OF CHESTER COUNTY



For more information from PA CareerLink of Chester County, please visit:  PA CareerLink

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The Reporter  is a pro-business e-publication developed by the Community and Government Relations Committee (CGRC) of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce (SCCCC)

The CGRC collaborates with business leaders, industry professionals and government officials on relevant topics that are mportant to our members' bottom line, serve to keep members informed on emerging issues at the local, state and federal levels, and benefit the broader business community. All information contained in this e-publication is being provided to Chamber membership and the business community for information purposes only and the CGRC and/or the SCCCC does not necessarily endorse or recommend any of the opinions or positions expressed therein.

Although every reasonable effort is made to present current and accurate information, the CGRC and the SCCCC makes no guarantees of any kind with respect to the information provided. We look forward to providing newsworthy and timely pro-business facts, figures and information to our readers. Questions can be directed to the Chamber at 610-444-0774 or CGRC Chairman.