The Challenge
Pennsylvania faces some special challenges when it comes to maintaining good jobs, adequate tax revenues and economic vitality. These special challenges include a declining industrial base, a rapidly aging population, and a business tax, legal and regulatory environment that is out of line with other states. Although progress has been made in recent years, other states have improved as well. Although Pennsylvania enjoys tremendous access to surrounding states and their large metropolitan areas, "access" to these markets fails to achieve maximum benefit when Pennsylvania businesses are hobbled by tax and regulatory polices hindering competitiveness.
Why businesses think twice Making PA's Business Climate Competitive
Successful businesses are critical to jobs and economic vitality as well as tax revenues and support services offered throughout the state. Approximately 95% of all business revenues are used to pay employees' wages and benefits, to reimburse suppliers for materials and services and to pay taxes. Pennsylvania's citizens and communities, its public safety and health care services and its educational institutions all depend on a successful business sector for their support and survival. Accordingly, even in the face of difficult economic times and revenue pressures, Pennsylvania policymakers must continue to act to improve the competitiveness of Pennsylvania's business climate ---and the Regional Chamber Alliance and its chamber members must continue to dedicate itself to this end.
 
The Regional Chamber Alliance is a member of the PA Chamber of Business & Industry. Click here for current business priorities.
 
Public Policy Agenda
In Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Washington, DC, the regional chamber alliance strives to promote public policy decisions that will bolster economic growth and improve our competitiveness locally, nationally and globally. We urge a sense of urgency, cooperation and partnership among governments, the business and civic communities to achieve these goals.
 
Local Legislative Priorities
  • Continue to advocate for reductions in both wage and business taxes to assure a competitive business climate
  • Support efforts to complete the Mon Fayette Expressway
  • Work with appropriate parties on School Reform as a means of attracting new businesses and residents to the region. Advocate reform of our current public education system to improve student achievement through competition and accountability of all involved parties
  • Promote regionalization/consolidation/ privatization of government services and programs
  • Cease raising property taxes
State Legislative Priorities
  • Improve our region's business climate through corporate tax relief and legislative policies that promote our business competitiveness.
  • Work to stabilize health care costs so that quality medical care will remain affordable and available to Pennsylvania employers and their workers. Ideally, a system based on free market concepts, and emphasizes both quality of care and cost management.
  • Urge perseverance in efforts to end lawsuit abuse and create a uniform legal standard to bring personal responsibility, fairness and balance to Pennsylvania's entire civil justice.
  • Urge investment in transportation infrastructure and technology to reduce congestion and its associated costs throughout the region.
  • Promote environmental policies which do not exceed federal requirements, and which do not hinder the competitiveness of businesses in our region.
  • Develop a workforce development system that provides all basic competencies for trained and skilled workers, with continued upgrading to ensure appropriate workplace skills.
  • Promote unemployment compensation costs that are competitive with other states.
  • Stop teacher strikes.
Federal Legislative Priorities
  • Seek federal corporate tax relief and governmental policies that promote the growth and success of American business.
  • Urge congressional approval of funding for important local projects to promote Pennsylvania's competitiveness and economic development.
  • Work to address the healthcare crisis through federal remedies such as support for congressional consideration of a measure to cap non-economic damages in medical lawsuits.
  • Urge congressional support for trade measures which promote U. S. competitiveness in foreign markets.
  • Promote environmental laws and regulations which do not render American businesses unable to compete in the global marketplace.

Legislative Contacts