SCCCC Pro Business E-News: The Reporter Vol. 3 Issue 9

U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

U.S. Chamber Proxy Season Survey Finds Companies Welcome Ability to Participate in Proxy Process, While Ability to Communicate with Proxy Advisory Firms Remains a Challenge

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness (CCMC) in conjunction with Nasdaq today released its annual proxy season survey, intended to help policymakers and the general public understand the relationship between public companies and proxy advisory firms.

The findings from the 2020 Proxy Season Survey show public companies are prepared to participate in the new SEC process, specifically welcoming the ability to “review and comment” on draft proxy advisory firm recommendations and confirming it would not cause delays or confusion. The new SEC rule takes on more importance given the survey also found that responsiveness and transparency of proxy advisory firms continues to decline and conflicts of interest still largely exist.

“Proxy voting should enhance the long-term performance of public companies. However, the unregulated proxy advisory industry has operated for years with a number of serious deficiencies including lack of transparency and conflicts of interest,” said U.S. Chamber Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness Executive Vice President Tom Quaadman. “Recent reforms implemented by the SEC and proposed by DOL will help enhance transparency within the proxy advisory industry and ensure that proxy voting is tied to economic returns and strengthens investor protection. We will continue working with policymakers to push for further reform where needed so that the proxy advisory system is improved.” To read the press release, please visit U.S. Chamber Proxy Season Survey Finds Companies Welcome Ability to Participate in Proxy Process

U.S. Chamber Calls Antitrust Report a Deeply Flawed Basis for Any Legislative Conversation

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Suzanne Clark issued the following statement today in response to the majority staff report released by the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law:

“The U.S. Chamber has long supported vigorous enforcement of antitrust laws to promote a competitive and innovative American economy. While Congress has an important oversight role to play in keeping a watchful eye on the federal antitrust agencies, it must do so without politicizing any investigation. For more than a year, the underlying efforts of the Subcommittee have been driven by a predetermined outcome—a misguided belief that we need to change our antitrust laws.

“It is a flawed premise that our antitrust laws no longer work and that the outcome in the market is better guided by government, not consumers. Any contemplated changes to our antitrust laws will impact all sectors of our economy. We urge members of Congress to refrain from relying on this one-sided staff report to guide future legislation.” To read the press release, please visit U.S. Chamber Calls Antitrust Report a Deeply Flawed Basis for Any Legislative Conversation

U.S. Chamber Responds to India and South Africa’s Request for World Trade Organization

to Ease Intellectual Property Rights

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC) Senior Vice President, Patrick Kilbride, issued the following statement regarding India and South Africa’s request for the World Trade Organization (WTO) to ease intellectual property (IP) rights.

“India and South Africa waiving intellectual property rights in response to the pandemic, while well intentioned, could actually hinder the production and delivery COVID-related solutions to frontline healthcare workers and patients.

“The WTO has existing agreements in place to provide nations all the necessary tools to work alongside rights holders and ensure patient access to treatments.

“The pandemic provides evidence the global IP system is working. Currently, a worldwide, cross-industry effort is underway involving our brightest scientific minds, most innovative companies, and the world’s leading universities—all working together toward the common goal of leading the global community out of this crisis.” To read the press release, please visit U.S. Chamber Responds to India and South Africa’s Request for World Trade Organization to Ease Intellectual Property Rights

For more information from the US Chamber, please visit: United State Chamber of Commerce

PA CHAMBER OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY

PA CHAMBER URGES GOVERNOR TO HOLD OFF ON HARMFUL OVERTIME RULE

HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President Gene Barr issued the following statement in response to an announcement that the Wolf Administration plans to move forward with a divisive overtime expansion proposal that could harm both employers and employees at a time when they can least afford it.

“This proposal has been controversial since a federal version from President Obama was opposed by a large and diverse coalition and ultimately struck down by an Obama-appointed judge. An equally broad coalition of Pennsylvania employers spoke out when Gov. Wolf advanced a similar proposal.

“We urge the Governor to recognize that this policy cannot be considered in a vacuum: many employers most adversely impacted - including nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, restaurants and small retailers - are also among those who have been hit hardest by the pandemic, business shutdown and economic fallout. Imposing additional costs and removing workplace flexibility is detrimental to employers already struggling and just adds one more obstacle on Pennsylvania’s path to economic recovery.

To continue reading, please visit PA CHAMBER URGES GOVERNOR TO HOLD OFF ON HARMFUL OVERTIME RULE

PA CHAMBER UNVEILS NEW INTERACTIVE ONLINE LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD

HARRISBURG - With the 2020 General Election right around the corner, the PA Chamber is proud to unveil its online Legislative Scorecard. This interactive tool highlights how members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly voted on key pieces of legislation impacting the Commonwealth’s business community over the course of the 2019-20 legislative session; and also shows their career voting record on such proposals.

“Our new Legislative Scorecard is a user-friendly tool to easily determine which elected officials have supported pro-business, pro-growth policies,” said PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr. “This November, all of the seats in the House and half of the seats in the Senate will be on the ballot. The outcome of this election will have a significant impact on how the state moves forward amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. It is critical to the Commonwealth’s economic recovery that we elect state lawmakers who will prioritize policies that encourage business investment and reinvestment while ensuring that businesses are operating in adherence to state and CDC-issued safety guidelines.”

The Legislative Scorecard homepage lists the sitting state legislators, along with their 2019-20 legislative session and career voting scores. A more detailed analysis – including an overview of all bills that were meaningful enough to the business community to be “scored” by the PA Chamber – can be found by clicking on the lawmakers’ name and viewing their individual profile. Users can easily identify the PA Chamber’s position on the respective bill, as well as how the lawmaker voted. The PA Chamber communicated its position to legislators prior to votes taken on the bills that were used to calculate the overall lawmakers’ score. Read the full article, PA CHAMBER UNVEILS NEW INTERACTIVE ONLINE LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD

PA CHAMBER ISSUES STATEMENT ON SENATE PASSAGE OF GREENHOUSE GAS LEGISLATION

HARRISBURG - PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement in regards to the Senate’s passage of H.B. 2025; legislation that requires a more deliberative process with respect to the state’s potential participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

“With bipartisan votes in the House and Senate for House Bill 2025, members of both parties have voted in support of a process that broadens the opportunity for legislative and stakeholder input on the issue of addressing greenhouse gas emissions. It bears emphasizing that the legislature has only legislated directly on the issues of greenhouse gas emissions twice: through the passage of the Climate Change Act of 2008, which required the state Department of Environmental Protection to develop reports on estimated impacts and possible action steps to reduce emissions, and Act 175 of 2015, which required legislative review of the state’s plan to implement the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan.

“The governor’s decision to direct DEP to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a cap-and-trade program for the power generation sector, could have a sweeping impact on the state’s energy and manufacturing sectors. As we have noted before, Pennsylvania would not be well-served if, as a result of this policy, the generation of electricity simply moves to a non-RGGI state, leaving us with less economic activity but no net change in emissions on a regional basis. Further, as a matter of good rulemaking, costs and benefits must be clearly defined, and policymakers must also, per the Regulatory Review Act, evaluate alternative approaches so as to minimize the impact on small businesses. Read the full article, PA CHAMBER ISSUES STATEMENT ON SENATE PASSAGE OF GREENHOUSE GAS LEGISLATION

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

FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF PHILADELPHIA

ECONOMIC NEWS

WEEKLY LABOR MARKET INFORMATION RELEASED

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia has released its weekly labor market information for Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Read the report: https://www.philadelphiafed.org/research-and-data/regional-economy/covid19-economic-impacts

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

PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION (PMA)

PMA PERSPECTIVE: Conversation with Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff

In this episode... PMA’s David N. Taylor conducts a wide-ranging newsmaker interview with Representative Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin), the Majority Leader in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives. To watch the video, please visit PMA Perspective: Conversation with Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff

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

TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

ASSOCIATION OF CHESTER COUNTY (TMACC)

We've Got the Cure For Your Traffic Headaches!

Have you ever sat in traffic, and wished you had a crystal ball that could tell you how long until you reach your exit? Or wished you could banish traffic congestion on your daily commute?

With the installation of an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), you won’t need that crystal ball. PennDOT is installing the ITS in advance of a future traffic improvement project, along the Route 30 bypass from Coatesville to Downingtown.

Tim Phelps, Executive Director of TMACC, recently sat down with Manny Anastasiadas, Senior Manager, Division of Traffic Operations, PennDOT, District 6, and Keven Hunt, Project Manager, Gannett Fleming.

Watch the interview here to learn more about this exciting project!

DVRPC Is Making Trails Happen In Chester County!

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission announced an exciting funding opportunity to help construct eligible trail projects in DVRPC's nine-county region. What does this mean for Chester County?

With generous support from the William Penn Foundation, this means that Chester County is eligible for up to $300,000 in funding.

The open call for applications closes on Friday, November 13, 2020, so hurry, visit the DVRPC website here to learn more about this amazing opportunity!

Transportation Update

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

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)

SBA Proposes Small Business Size Standard Revisions in Eight Industrial Sectors to Increase

Small Business Eligibility for Contracting and Loan Programs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration is seeking public comments on two proposed rules that would revise the small business size standards for businesses in eight North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) sectors to increase small business eligibility for SBA’s loan and contracting programs.

The NAICS sectors reviewed in the first proposed rule are: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting; Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction; Utilities; and Construction. The NAICS sectors reviewed in the second proposed rule are: Transportation and Warehousing; Information; Finance and Insurance; and Real Estate and Rental and Leasing. The SBA proposes to increase size standards for 113 industries in those sectors. The following table includes the number of industries reviewed and the number of industries with proposed increases in size standards by NAICS sector. This is the first time the SBA established size standards for all agricultural enterprises as other industries, as required by the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2017. To read the press release, please visit SBA Proposes Small Business Size Standard Revisions in Eight Industrial Sectors to Increase Small Business Eligibility for Contracting and Loan Programs

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

CHESTER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

CENSUS UPDATE

In recent weeks there have been changes to the schedule of Census 2020 outreach efforts. The October schedule has now been fully resolved due to a court ruling, and the last day of field operations will be October 31, 2020. View the Census Bureau press release.

From now until October 31st, Chester County residents can be counted in the 2020 Census in three ways:

Fill out a form online at 2020census.gov, which can be done with a Census ID number or simply by entering a mailing address.
Fill out the census over the phone by calling 844-330-2020.
Fill out the form with the assistance of one of the census workers (known as "enumerators") who will be visiting non-responding households in person

To learn more and take the Census, please visit Census Update