More than 300 influential business leaders from PA Chamber Investor Member organizations joined lawmakers and policy experts in Harrisburg last week for the inaugural PA Chamber Policy Summit.
The Summit brought together these leaders for an in‑depth look at the issues shaping Pennsylvania’s economic future, while also serving as the first meeting for each of the PA Chamber’s 11 policy councils in 2026. Attendees engaged directly with fellow business leaders, PA Chamber staff, council leadership, and elected officials to discuss priorities, share expertise, and help guide the next phase of pro‑growth policy advocacy. The event also gave attendees a unique opportunity to “shop” the councils they were interested in learning more about or joining.
In opening remarks at the Summit, PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein highlighted how the PA Chamber’s policy councils have become a driving force behind meaningful legislative progress – translating member insights into tangible results that are strengthening Pennsylvania’s competitiveness.
Among the recent notable achievements Bernstein cited:
- The Environmental Policy Council’s role in helping to develop, pass, and launch the SPEED Program, which is improving permitting efficiency and bringing greater predictability to project timelines.
- The Tax Policy Council’s leadership in advancing significant business tax reform, including negotiating final details on legislation to lower the Corporate Net Income (CNI) tax rate and increase the Net Operating Loss cap.
- The Technology Policy Council’s development of concepts to improve data privacy legislation that have gained broad acceptance among state lawmakers and informed ongoing legislative discussions.
- The Labor and Employment Policy Council’s suggested amendments that facilitated passage of the Crown Act, a top priority for House Speaker McClinton, while addressing employer concerns.
“These successes are the direct result of member engagement,” Bernstein said. “Our policy councils give business leaders a seat at the table—and when members lean in, Pennsylvania moves forward.”
The Summit also featured remarks from Andy Bockis, Chair of the PA Chamber’s Environmental Policy Council, who attended on behalf of Presenting Sponsor Saul Ewing. Bockis reflected on his long‑standing involvement with the Chamber as a sponsor, speaker, and advocate, most recently serving on the steering committee for the PA Chamber Foundation’s Energy and Innovation Institute.
“The rapid growth and success of the policy councils really speak for themselves,” Bockis said. “They’ve taken off because they’re effective, they’re relevant, and they give members a direct channel to engage in the issues that matter most.”
A highlight of the event was an engaging panel discussion featuring the four co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Competitiveness Caucus, a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers committed to advancing policies that unlock the Commonwealth’s full economic potential. The panel was moderated by Bernstein and included Sen. Kristin Phillips‑Hill (R‑York), Sen. Lisa Boscola (D‑Lehigh), Rep. Paul Friel (D‑Chester), and Rep. Josh Kail (R‑Beaver), who shared insights on collaboration, competitiveness, and the role of the private sector in driving economic growth.
The PA Chamber extends its sincere thanks to the generous sponsors who helped make the inaugural Policy Summit a success:
- Exclusive Presenting Sponsor Saul Ewing
- Energy Sponsor ExxonMobil
- Environment Sponsor Manko Gold Katcher Fox
- Financial Services Sponsor JPMorgan Chase
- Healthcare Sponsor Highmark
- Higher Education Sponsor Penn State University
- Labor and Employment Sponsor McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC
- Legal Sponsor Obermayer
- Tax Sponsor KeyTax LLC
- Technology Sponsor Amazon
- Transportation and Infrastructure Sponsor HNTB
- Workers’ Compensation Sponsor Penn National Insurance
If you’re interested in becoming a PA Chamber Investor Member and an engaged member of these impactful Policy Councils, contact the PA Chamber’s dedicated membership team.