U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE


COURT UPHOLDS MOST OF THE NLRB ELECTION PROCEDURES RULE

JULY 8 - The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued on July 1 an order that expanded on a previous  ruling it had issued on May 30 striking down some elements of the National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB) election procedures rule. The more recent order upheld many aspects of the rule, which the AFL-CIO had challenged-to no one's surprise-with a  lawsuit.
As this blog  noted  last month, the NLRB in December 2019 released a final rule with changes to union representation election procedures designed to address the Obama-era Board's so-called "ambush election" rule. That rule had made significant changes to the procedures in representation cases that were designed to undermine employers' rights during the process and limit the ability of employees to hear from both sides in a unionization campaign. 
The thrust of the AFL-CIO's challenge was the fact that the NLRB had issued its final rule without first going through the so-called notice and comment period normally required under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). In most cases, federal agencies must issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and provide the public the opportunity to review the proposal and submit comments, but there are some narrow exceptions, which the NLRB cited as its justification for foregoing the NPRM. Its argument was that the regulation cente rs on procedural matters that fall under one of the APA exceptions.  To read the rest of the article, please visit  Court Upholds Most of the NLRB Election Procedures Rule
U.S. CHAMBER URGES CONGRESS TO PUT ASIDE PARTISAN ACTIONS AND PASS INFRASTRUCTURE LEGISLATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today  sent a letter to the House of Representatives, stating it cannot support the partisan Moving America Forward Act, HR 2, and instead urge bipartisan solutions to address the nation's urgent infrastructure needs. 
Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce states in the letter, "With historic unemployment and tremendous unmet infrastructure needs, now is clearly a time for bold and ambitious action. There is nothing bold, however, about voting on a bill that does not and will not have the bipartisan support needed to become law."

Bradley continues, "The Chamber is prepared to key vote and offer every measure of support for any effort designed to actually get a fiscally responsible infrastructure package enacted into law. H.R. 2 and the current process is not such an effort." To read the full article, please visit  U.S. Chamber Urges Congress to Put Aside Partisan Actions and Pass Needed Infrastructure Legislation


For more information from the US Chamber, please visit:  United State Chamber of Commerce
PENNSYLVANIA CHAMBER OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY


PA CHAMBER: NEW OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE LAW WILL HELP ADDRESS WORKFORCE CHALLENGES

HARRISBURG -  PA Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement after Gov. Tom Wolf signed S.B. 637, legislation that helps Pennsylvanians with criminal records re-enter the workforce by reforming the process by which they can obtain an occupational license:
 
"Pennsylvania oversees the administration of more than 250 types of processional licenses - that's 250 potential opportunities for individuals to find meaningful employment and help to close an existing jobs skills gap. Previously, the rules varied in terms of when a criminal record could prevent issuance of an occupational license and impede someone from entering into careers for which they were otherwise qualified. Under the new law, licenses may only be denied if the job applicant's record is related to the occupation they're pursuing - the same standard that employers follow if a job applicant has a criminal record. In addition, the new law requires agencies to determine and publicize the types of criminal records that relate to certain licenses - with language we suggested to ensure that the employer community's perspectives are being sought in the process." To read the press release, please visit  PA Chamber: New Occupational Licensure Law Will Help Address Workforce Challenges

PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE OKS BILL CURBING STATE'S ABILITY TO JOIN RGGI IN ONGOING DISPUTE WITH GOVERNOR
JULY 9 - In a July 7 letter to members of the Pennsylvania House, the chamber said it has "several outstanding concerns with respect to RGGI. We remain concerned over the potential leakage of power generation resources to neighboring states within the PJM grid who do not participate in RGGI," the letter said.

The chamber is "very concerned with the regulatory actions taken by some RGGI states to block pipeline development that would deliver Pennsylvania's natural gas to northeastern markets, as well as various regulatory petitions filed by these states to the Environmental Protection Agency asking for more punitive regulatory actions against our energy and manufacturing industries," the letter stated.  

"These are issues that can and must be resolved through a deliberative process that involves the legislature, the administration and the regulated community and that addresses long-needed reforms to the state's tax and energy regulatory policy." To read the full article, please visit  Pennsylvania House OKs bill curbing state's ability to join RGGI in ongoing dispute with governor


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

FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF PHILADELPHIA
ECONOMIC NEWS

Most Current Manufacturing Indicators Rebound in June

Manufacturing conditions in the region showed signs of improvement this month, according to firms responding to the June Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey. The diffusion index for current general activity increased from -43.1 in May to 27.5 this month. All future indicators improved, suggesting that the firms expect overall growth over the next six months. To read the full report, please visit  Most Current Manufacturing Indicators Rebound in June

TRI-STATE TRACKING

The Philadelphia Fed has updated its monthly Tri-State Tracking series that provides statewide summaries of economic conditions using monthly and quarterly data of employment, housing, and personal income. The latest update includes monthly data for employment, building permits, and mortgage delinquencies through May 2020 and quarterly data for house prices and personal income through the first quarter of 2020.  Read the reports:

May Tri-State Tracking: Delaware

May Tri-State Tracking: New Jersey

May Tri-State Tracking: Pennsylvania

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

 
PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION (PMA)

PMA PERSPECTIVE: Power PA Jobs - Consequences of RGGI

On this episode of PMA Perspective... PMA focuses on Governor Wolf's new carbon tax plan, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). PMA's Carl Marrara provides an overview of RGGI and outlines the consequences for PA's economy. David N. Taylor interviews PA State Sen. Joe Pittman and PA State Rep. Jim Struzzi about the impacts of RGGI on Indiana County and the commonwealth.  To watch the video, please visit:  PMA Perspective: Power PA Jobs - Consequences of RGGI .
 

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

 
TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT
ASSOCIATION OF CHESTER COUNTY (TMACC)

ROUTE 52 IS OPEN

Route 52 (Lenape Road), between Pocopson Road and Creek Road, is open to traffic again.  PennDOT completed a major construction project to rehabilitate the bridge over the Brandywine Creek floodplain in Birmingham Township. Contractors will be performing minor construction activities over the next few weeks, but this will not impact traffic.

THE SCHUYKILL RIVER TRAIL/MONT CLARE BRIDGE CONNECTOR IS NOW OPEN

While some minor work remains the SRT trail across the Route 29 Bridge from Phoenixville into Montgomery County is now open- featuring a protected trail lane, higher railings, and lighting, the bridge is now safer and easier to cross on foot or bike. 

SOUTHERN CHESTER COUNTY CIRCUIT TRAIL FEASIBILITY STUDY

Your input is needed to help determine where the best place would be to develop an off-road, multimodal trail to connect with already existing trails.  The Southern Chester County Circuit Trail Feasibility Study is looking to develop a continuous, multi-use trail to connect southern Chester County to the Brandywine Trail, and the Circuit (hundreds of miles of trails in the Greater Philadelphia area).

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

 
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 
FOR GREATER PHILADELPHIA

GROW PA UPDATE

Three years ago, we launched a collaborative effort to bring attention to the Commonwealth's shrinking workforce, stagnant population, and an underperforming economy. Since its conception, Grow PA has convened residents in urban corridors and rural communities across the state to devise solutions beyond short-term policymaking to reverse the state's trajectory, and help grow Pennsylvania.
 
Like other states across the nation, Pennsylvania is experiencing unprecedented economic uncertainty in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. If history is any guide, much like the recession, the economic and budgetary effects of the crisis will reign over the state for years to come.  
 
We recognize that our circumstances give Grow PA a renewed purpose to help Pennsylvania emerge from this crisis stronger than ever. We understand that we need innovative, pro-growth policies in Harrisburg that prioritize our infrastructure, health care, and post-secondary assets to meet the immediate economic needs for recovery while producing long-term assets that drive future economic growth.
 
I am pleased to share that Grow PA will launch a new partnership with Penn State University (PSU) to deliver academic research that informs communities, businesses, civic leaders, and policymakers on solutions to advance economic development and innovation in Pennsylvania. 
 
As we shift our strategy, Grow PA will no longer host our monthly calls; however, we will continue to leverage our network across the state to champion innovative ideas, facilitate collaboration, and advance pro-growth solutions that help us recover, rebuild, and grow the Commonwealth. 
 
We will continue our commitment to organize gatherings with local chambers of commerce to share social and economic data of current and forecasted conditions, identify barriers and opportunities for growth, make recommendations, and engage with policymakers. 
 
Here is where we need your help: 
  •  Host a Grow PA gathering to share statewide economic data with your membership and examine barriers and opportunities for growth.
  • Provide input and ideas from your organization to support future research with PennState. In the coming weeks will share a survey to gather your feedback on our research agenda.
  • Share ideas about state legislation that will help your local community recover from the pandemic.
Please contact Liz Ferry at  lferry@chamberphl.com or (215)-356-8252 for information on getting involved. 


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

 
CHESTER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

JULY'S FEATURED eTOOL IS ADAPTIVE REUSE

Chester County's rich cultural heritage is evident through many of the historic structures and buildings that still exist today. One of the ways this is possible is through the process of adaptive reuse, which is this month's highlighted eTool.

Adaptive reuse is the process of repurposing buildings to address present-day needs and modern functions. The new functions are not what the building may have originally been intended or used for, however they are sensitive to the building's character-defining features.

There are a number of potential benefits from the adaptive reuse of buildings, including: community revitalization, community character, cost savings, reduced energy consumption, smart growth opportunities, community resilience, increased property values, and tax advantages.
Some examples of adaptive reuse buildings throughout Chester County include the Four Dogs Tavern in Marshallton Village, the Downingtown STEM Academy, and the Sharples Works Apartments in West Chester, among others.  To read the full article, please visit July's Featured eTool is Adaptive Reuse
  
PLANNING COMMISSION HIGHLIGHTS AGRICULTURAL eTOOLS

Chester County ranks second among Pennsylvania's 67 counties in agricultural production, and 53 rd  out of the 3,000 counties in the nation. Because of this, the agricultural industry continues to play a vital role in Chester County's economy and culture. This month, our highlighted eTools focus on a few ways to support the agricultural industry within Chester County. To read the full article, please visit Planning Commission Highlights Agricultural eTools


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

 
WORLD TRADE CENTER OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA

HOW WORLD TRADE CENTERS WORK WITH SMALL BUSINESSES

PHILADELPHIA, PA., USA: Linda Conlin joins Jim Blasingame to report on the work that the 300 World Trade Centers do around the world to assist in global business for Main Street Businesses. To listen to the podcast, pl ease visit How World Trade Centers work with small businesses.


For more information from the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, please visit:  WTCGP

 
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

USMCA IS MORE BUSINESS FOR SMALL BUSINESS

WASHINGTON -  On July 1, 2020, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) enters into force, officially replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). USMCA is a ground-breaking achievement for U.S. small businesses and is the first trade agreement ever to include a full chapter dedicated to small business interests.

Supporting and expanding U.S. small business trade with Mexico and Canada is a top priority for me as the new Associate Administrator for SBA's Office of International Trade (OIT). SBA OIT has a team of talented trade finance specialists and finance products to help small businesses involved in international trade to access capital, purchase inventory as a manufacturer or supplier, and expand through trade. OIT helps ensure small businesses are adequately represented in trade negotiations led by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and educates U.S. small businesses on the wide range of federal and state resources that can increase their ability to compete in international trade.  To read the full article, please visit  USMCA is More Business for Small Business.

For more information from the U.S. Small Business Administration, please visit:  US SBA

Subscribe  to The Reporter
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).