FROM THE DESK OF THE COMMUNITY & GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
Dear Members and Friends,
Back in February, I was thrilled to be able to once again chair the Chamber's Community and Government Relations Committee. I was looking forward to a world of possibility for this committee and eager to work with the group to set goals and priorities for the year. Then, the world changed. Our community, along with others around the world, were now faced with a new enemy that impacted every single one of us. Priorities changed immediately, uncertainty became an instant norm to daily operations, and answers were not available for so many of the questions that were asked. We had no playbook for what hit us, and it is hard to forecast the long-term impact of the last three months.
It's clear the landscape of what we once knew has changed. Individuals have lost jobs, businesses ceased operations, and in-person meetings were shifted to virtual meetings. The connectedness we all shared every day took a complete shift as w e lost face-to-face contact with co-workers, friends and families. Many of us have known individuals who contracted COVID, and even some whose lives were lost, and I want to acknowledge all those impacted directly by the virus. Genesis said goodbye to its founder, Mike Walker, who not only dedicated his life to serving the needs of the elderly, but was so instrumental for the revitalization of Kennett Square in the 1990s. It has taken a toll on us, and I think it's important to acknowledge what we have gone through. MICHAEL R. WALKER OBITUARY
It's also important to recognize the moments of strength and resilience we have witnessed as well. Thank you to all our workers on the front lines. Thank you, Jim Turner and Cheryl Kuhn, for your leadership in this time. The Chamber communicated to members daily, advocated at all levels of government to promote the needs of the business community, and provided support in as many ways as possible to help us navigate this time of uncertainty. I saw creativity from many of our business owners in order to try new ways of doing things, community organizations try unique on-line and virtual fundraising efforts to continue to meet the needs of so many. I saw the reestablished value of a face-to-face conversation or sharing a smile. In short, I saw what will bring us through one of the most challenging times in recent history.
So, as we embark on the next chapter of our collective story, know that the Chamber and the Community and Government Relations Committee are here to serve you. We will be establishing new goals and priorities as a committee, so let us know how your needs, both those that have remained, and those that are now necessary, can help us shape our Vision. Don't hesitate to reach out to the Chamber at 610-444-0774 or to me directly at 610-925-4206 if you have questions or comments.
Together in Community,
Doug Doerfler, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Committee Chairman
Community & Government Relations Committee
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
WHAT THE SABRE-FARELOGIX CASE TELLS US ABOUT THE FUTURE OF ANTITRUST LAW
May 27 - After surviving a merger challenge in U.S. court, Texas-based software companySabre announced
last month that it was abandoning its pursuit to acquire Florida-based airline software vendor Farelogix. Sabre's decision to throw in the towel was likely driven less by the fact that the travel industry is reeling from the global COVID-19 pandemic and more by the fact that the United Kingdom's competition authority decided to step in and block the transaction.
Th
e proposed acquisition had been labeled a "killer-acquisition" - one of the hottest topics in antitrust. Killer-acquisitions occur when a larger, more well-established player in a market targets a smaller, emerging company. Opponents of killer acquisitions argue that nascent competitors are being bought out before they can become a competitive threat. The fault with that logic is that it relies on prognosticating about future market structures, theorizing that these growing companies would undoubtedly mature into real competitors. Typically, antitrust analysis dismisses competition concerns that may arise years after the transaction is completed because it is near impossible to accurately forecast future market dynamics.
Unfortunately, today, too many leading antitrust jurisdictions around the world are actively contemplating making changes to their antitrust laws that would stray from reviewing mergers based on sound economics, instead favoring more subjective legal tests that allow antitrust enforcers to venture into the realm of fortune telling. Germany, France, the European Union, Australia, and Japan are all actively looking at changing their merger laws to include "killer acquisition" theories of harm. Another half-dozen countries, including the United States, have similar conversations underway. To read the full article, please visitWhat The Sabre-Farelogix Case Tells Us
LEGISLATURE ADOPTS OVERTIME DISAPPROVAL RESOLUTION; PA CHAMBER URGES GOVERNOR TO LET IT TAKE EFFECT
HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President Gene Barr issued the f
ollowing statement after the Senate adopted House Concurrent Regulatory Review Resolution 1, disapproving the state Department of Labor and Industry's proposal to significantly expand overtime eligibility standards.
"We thank House and Senate lawmakers for adopting this resolution, given the concerns that the Pennsylvania Chamber and a large and diverse coalition have raised for several years and are only exacerbated by the current healthcare and economic emergency. Many employers unable to absorb additional labor costs will be forced to shift salaried employees into hourly positions so that hours can be tracked and capped in order to avoid overtime costs. Employees may technically be eligible for overtime pay, yet they lose the flexibility and predictability that comes with earning a salary with no guarantee of additional wages." To read the full press release, please visitLegislature Adopts Disapproval Resolution.
A LOOK AHEAD AT THE WEEK OF JUNE 8
House and Senate lawmakers will both convene in session next week, and the PA Chamber is watching movement on various bills of importance to the employer community. To read more, please visit A Look Ahead - June 8
For more information from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, please visit:Philadephia Fed
PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION (PMA)
PMA PERSPECTIVE: CHINA'S "STEALTH WAR": A DISCUSSION WITH
BRIG. GEN. ROBERT SPALDING (USAF RET.)
PMA's David N. Taylor interviews Brig. Gen. Robert Spalding (USAF Ret.) about his new book "Stealth War" and Beijing's campaign of economic warfare and influence operations against the United States.To watch the video, please visit: PMA Perspective: China's "Stealth War".
For more information from Pennsylvania Manufacturer's Association, please visit:PMA
TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT
ASSOCIATION OF CHESTER COUNTY (TMACC)
SEPTA UPDATES
With ridership expected to increase as the region moves into the Yellow Phase of Pennsylvania's COVID-19 recovery plan, SEPTA will require all riders to wear a face covering starting Monday, June 8.
The face-covering requirement is consistent with policies put into place by the Commonwealth, the City of Philadelphia and local businesses. Also, SEPTA customers have made it clear that requiring everyone to wear face coverings would help make them feel safe returning to transit. SEPTA employees will constructively engage customers to remind them about the requirement starting Monday.
Driving alone in a Single Occupant Vehicle? Experiencing construction or traffic delays along your commute? Public transportation and carpooling are two opportunities to help reduce congestion and improve Chester County's air quality. Even one day of sharing a ride reduces congestion.
For more information from Transportation Management Association of Chester County, please visit: TMACC
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
FOR GREATER PHILADELPHIA
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES: A WEEKLY ROUNDUP OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL ACTIONS
KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Below is a legislative update of recent activity including Key Takeaways for Your Business.
This represents our best knowledge of the situation as of 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 4, 2020.
Federal
The Senate will consider legislation to modify the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) by extending the period of time borrowers have to expend the funds received under the program.
The Senate passed legislation that had cleared the House last week to modify the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) by extending forgiveness for expenses to 24 weeks and adjusting the limitations on non-payroll expenses to 40% of loan proceeds.
As of May 23, the Small Business Administration had approved 4.4 million PPP loans totaling more than $511 billion. At that time, about $138 billion in PPP funds remained available for additional lending.
The Senate is expected to begin drafting its version of an additional economic relief and assistance package, commonly referred to as Phase 4.
The Chamber and its CEO Council for Growth issued a statement this week calling for an additional legislative package to include both business liability protections together with aid to state and local governments.
The House leadership is laying plans to pass its 12 FY2021 appropriations bills before recessing in the month of August. The Senate expects to begin markups on Senate spending bills in the third week of June.
The House Democrats unveiled their surface transportation reauthorization bill, the INVEST Act, which provides $494 billion over five years for surface and rail transportation.
Last year, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee unanimously approved a five-year highway reauthorization bill (S. 2302) authorizing $287 billion in Highway Trust Fund contract authority and an additional $5.7 billion from the U.S. Department of the Treasury general fund.
The Chamber and its CEO Council support passage of a long-term surface transportation reauthorization designed to meet our nation's current and future infrastructure needs.
State
Pennsylvania held its Primary Election amid a pandemic and continued civil unrest on Tuesday, June 2.
Candidates were nominated for the statewide offices of attorney general, treasurer, and auditor general, the 18 congressional districts, all 203 House seats, and the 25 odd-numbered Senate seats.
Approximately 1.8 million Pennsylvania voters applied for and were approved to vote by mail-in and absentee ballot. Governor Wolf ordered six counties to count ballots that arrive by mail for seven days after Tuesday's 8 p.m. deadline.
Read the full legislative update for primary results and details on races to be declared.
The only contested statewide primary was for the Democratic nominee for auditor general, with six candidates seeking the party's nomination in the General Election. Michael Lamb is favored to win at press time.
On Monday, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue reported that May's General Fund revenues were $439.7 million, or 17.3 percent, less than expected.
The Chamber will be hosting Representatives Kerry Benninghoff (June 12) and Jordan Harris (June 17) for virtual gatherings.
Local
Confirmed COVID-19 cases in Philadelphia exceed 23,000 with over 1,300 deaths.
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has recommenced participants in recent protest activities follow specific quarantining and testing recommendations due to the increased likelihood that they have been exposed to COVID-19.
The City's Safer at Home plan and executive order outlines how Philadelphia will begin to reopen for business when the current Stay-at-Home Order is lifted, which is expected to occur on June 5. This includes industry-specific guidelines for reopening.
Due to the recent unrest, City Council did not hold budget hearings this week. All matters have been moved to next week.
The Committee on Law and Government will hold a hearing on Friday, June 12.
Amendments to the series of Bills seeking to regulate the landlord-tenant relationship are being considered by the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless.
The Chamber held a virtual City Hall Connector gathering with Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson on Wednesday, June 2.
For more information from Grow PA - Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, please visit: Grow PA
CHESTER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION IN HONEY BROOK TOWNSHIP
Honey Brook Township is positioned as one of the premier agricultural production areas in both Chester County and the state of Pennsylvania. Because of its rich farmland soils and a climate that allows agricultural production without the need for costly irrigation, 70% of the land in Honey Brook Township is used for farmland. Of that land, 35% of it (or 4,710 acres) has been preserved through the township's Open Space Program, in cooperation with state, county, and other agricultural programs.
The high number and concentration of Amish farmers in Honey Brook Township is one aspect of its farming community that makes it unique to much of Chester County. About 60%-70% of the farmers in Honey Brook Township are Amish, with many of them passing their farm down from one generation to the next. As the population continues to increase over the next few decades, farmland becomes a vital concern to meeting the need for increased food production in Honey Brook Township. Because of this, strong consideration must be given to continue preserving the township's farmland, agricultural heritage, and natural resources - as these assets provide food security into the future. To read the full article, please visitOpen Space Preservation
2020 TOWN TOURS AND VILLAGE WALKS
Planning is underway for a virtual Town Tours and Village Walks program for this summer. The program will be offered starting in mid-July and will be exploring the theme of Architecture, Artistry and Personal Expression. As in past years, each program will highlight a specific historic location and share its story - just in a virtual meeting format this year. As always, the program will benefit from the participation of host communities and the Chester County Historic Preservation Network. Thank you for your patience and stay tuned for more information, which we anticipate posting to our website and sharing in late May or June.Check our website for updates!
PLANNING COMMISSION OFFICE STATUS
Posted on As the County moves into the yellow phase, the Planning Commission office will be open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm, starting on Friday, June 5 for mandatory services. Please call 610-344-6285 or email the office at ccplanning@chesco.org to make an appointment for plan endorsements or plan submissions before you come in. Please note, temperature screening and security procedures will be in place for anyone entering the Government Services Building. Staff is primarily working from home and will continue to provide services and answer questions. To expedite the plan review submission process, visit the online portal.
For more information from the Chester County Planning Commission, please visit:
Chesco Planning
WORLD TRADE CENTER OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA
EVEN IN COVID-19 CRISIS, GREATER PHILLY IS WELL POSITIONED AS AN ATTRACTIVE MARKET FOR GLOBAL TRADE
PHILADELPHIA, PA., USA: With most of the world still on pause or just beginning to come back online, global trade has ultimately suffered a bit of a set back. Trade is vital to the health of any economy and the businesses therein, so the key is to continue to adapt and make this trade possible. This was Linda Conlin's, President of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, message to Abby Melone in regards to her organization's adaptation to the current time while continuing to promote international trade. She also voiced that Greater Philadelphia is well situated as an attractive market for international trade which will ultimately be a benefit to the region as we look at the future post-COVID-19. To watch the video, please visitEven in COVID-19 Crisis, Greater Philly is well positioned.
For more information from the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, please visit:WTCGP
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
SBA ANNOUNCES FIRST ONLINE VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURIAL TRAINING PROGRAM
WASHINGTON - The
U.S. Small Business Administration today announced the first online Veteran Entrepreneurial Training and Resource Network Streetwise MBA program to provide virtual training for veteran small business owners and their immediate families beginning in August 2020.
Thanks to the funding of $100,000 from President Donald Trump's donated salary, this will be the second cohort of the
Veteran Owned Small Business Growth Training Pilot Program, following the successful completion of the first cohort in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in March 2020.
The award-winning VETRN Streetwise MBA program, powered by Interise, was created exclusively for veterans to provide them with the skills, resources, mentoring, and networking necessary to grow their own small business. The program is free and open to veterans and family members of established small businesses in all New England States, New York, and New Jersey. To date, 57 VETRN participants have graduated from the program. To read the full article, please visit
SBA's First Online Veteran-Owned Small Business Training Program
For more information from the U.S. Small Business Administration, please visit:
US SBA
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 important 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, Doug Doerfler (Genesis).
