A contingent of business organizations, including the PA Chamber, representing nearly 5 million non-farm, non-government private sector jobs assembled in the state Capitol Rotunda on Groundhog Day to say, "we don't want to wake up morning after morning to the same news in 2010!" The Groundhog Day reference to the Bill Murray movie that made Punxsutawney world famous was used by business leaders to remind lawmakers and Governor Ed Rendell that another late budget with increased spending and higher taxes would harm businesses, jobs and the state's economy.

The 2009-10 state budget was enacted 101 days after the constitutionally required June 30 deadline. The additional business taxes included in the budget will ultimately cost job creators about $2 billion over five years before modest reforms that were also part of the budget take effect.

Holding the line on taxes in the upcoming budget in order to bolster job and economic growth was a central message at the press event.

"Pennsylvania taxpayers ... face the 11th highest overall tax burden in the nation … [and] cannot be expected to continue to fund state government's ballooning rate of growth," stressed Gene Barr, PA Chamber vice president of government and public affairs.

He also referenced a 2009 study that revealed that 78 percent of the burden of any increase in business taxes in Pennsylvania would ultimately be paid by workers through fewer and lower-paying jobs and by consumers through higher prices.

Barr commended lawmakers who opposed many other proposed tax increaases in 2009 and called on policymakers to understand that higher taxes and bigger government hurt Pennsylvania's ability to compete.

Robert Wonderling, president and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, said, "For Pennsylvania to weather the economic downturn and emerge a stronger, more vibrant Commonwealth, leaders in the public and private sectors must work together to address the challenges we face with the determination to make responsible choices, and the fortitude to move Pennsylvania ahead."

Wonderling, a former state senator, said the business community hopes to work with state policymakers "to create a more competitive business tax climate that will promote business growth and job creation. Business leaders in our region and across Pennsylvania agree that tax competitiveness is a key element to the state's economic recovery and resurgence."

The business leaders outlined eight steps that state policymakers should take to increase the number and quality of jobs in the Commonwealth:

1. Don't increase taxes on the job creators.
2. Cut spending now to get our budget in line with our revenues.
3. Empower a "Grace Commission" to address costs.
4. Limit General Fund spending growth over the long-term.
5. Limit the issuance and use of irresponsible debt.
6. Adopt zero-based budgeting.
7. Reinstate "sunset" review and termination.
8. Conduct performance audits of existing programs.

Groups supporting the sentiments discussed at the news conference include:

• Allegheny Conference and Affiliates
• Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc., Keystone Chapter
• Associated PA Constructors
• Associated Petroleum Industries of PA
• Broadband Cable Association of Pennsylvania
• Electric Power Generation Association
• Energy Association of Pennsylvania
• Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
• NFIB/Pennsylvania
• PA Newspaper Association
• PennAg Industries Association
• Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
• Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers
• Pennsylvania Automotive Association
• Pennsylvania Bio
• Pennsylvania Builders Association
• Pennsylvania Business Council
• Pennsylvania Chemical Industry Council
• Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association
• Pennsylvania Coal Association
• Pennsylvania Credit Union Association
• Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association
• Pennsylvania Institute of CPA's
• Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association
• Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Association
• Pennsylvania Restaurant Association
• Pennsylvania Retailers' Association
• Pennsylvania Telephone Association