Last week, members of our government affairs team spoke to employers, advocates, and chambers of commerce across Pennsylvania to share the PA Chamber’s pro-growth, pro-business message and offer an overview of our top legislative priorities as budget negotiation season draws near.

PA Chamber Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Alex Halper joined the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce for a discussion on proposals within the PA General Assembly and by Governor Shapiro to increase the state’s minimum wage.

The PA Chamber has long resisted calls for excessive government-mandated minimum wage increases, which nonpartisan studies have shown often lead to reduced employee hours, job losses, and a higher cost for goods and services.

During the conversation, Halper and Anselm Sauter, Vice President of Regional Advocacy for the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, discussed the role of chambers as this policy is debated and the impact of a higher minimum wage, particularly on small businesses and nonprofits. Halper recently spoke to WITF on this issue in light of legislation recently introduced by state Senator Christina Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia).

Halper also spoke at the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce legislative roundtable held at Leonhardt Manufacturing.  The event featured welcome remarks from Hanover Chamber President Sarah Messer and a panel discussion with state Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill, and state Reps. Kate Klunk and Seth Grove.  Halper described the state of Pennsylvania’s economy, the PA Chamber’s top legislative priorities, and our longstanding partnership with chambers of commerce, including the Hanover Chamber, which has been a member of the PA Chamber since 1936.

PA Chamber Vice President and General Counsel Megan Martin visited Schuylkill County last week to deliver the keynote address at the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Luncheon. Martin spoke about her background and career, the PA Chamber’s agenda, and the important partnerships that empower our state’s chamber community to impact meaningful, positive change.

PA Chamber Director of Political Engagement Allison Coccia spoke to the incoming class of the Anne B. Anstine Excellence in Public Service Series at the Harrisburg Capitol Building. The Anstine Series is an annual training program for Republican women in Pennsylvania that prepares women to be more effective leaders in government, politics, and in the community. Participants each have a goal to increase their level of involvement in public life as party leaders, elected or appointed officials, as grassroots activists, and/or as community leaders. Allison spoke about how businesses and the private sector generally can positively impact public policy in the Commonwealth.

PA Chamber Manager of Government Affairs Aaron Riggleman also spoke at the Harrisburg Regional Chamber’s “Policy Pulse” speaker series, a monthly forum where leaders and representatives from business advocacy groups meet to discuss the current public policy landscape in Pennsylvania. Riggleman offered a breakdown of the recent Primary Election and shared an overview of the PA Chamber’s top priorities heading into budget negotiations.

PA Chamber Vice President of Membership Bill Miller attended the Butler County Chamber of Commerce State of the County Breakfast last week, which featured presentations by numerous lawmakers and public officials.  Chamber Executive Director Jordan Grady was kind enough to include in the event program PA Chamber materials outlining some of our top legislative priorities.