HARRISBURG – PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement in regards to Pennsylvania’s burdensome regulatory environment and uncompetitive corporate tax climate driving investment out of the state:
“Last week President Joe Biden mused, ‘there’s no reason why wind turbine blades can’t be built in Pittsburgh.’ But it turns out there is – a concerted effort among environmental groups paired with obstruction by environmental regulators to undermine Pennsylvania’s ability to manufacture the goods needed to compete in a 21st century economy.
“The recent announcement by US Steel to cancel significant investment into its facilities because of this anti-growth, anti-jobs agenda is just the latest example of a missed opportunity for the Commonwealth. This came on the heels of the news Pennsylvania will lose another Congressional seat. Let there be no mistake: the states that have gained seats have more dynamic, competitive economies than those losing seats, because these winning states have by and large taken steps to improve their tax and regulatory environment. With those reforms have come more economic opportunity for their citizens and, as we are increasingly seeing, for graduates and young workers from other states who are leaving moribund local economies behind.
“Economic stagnation and decline are a direct result of the policy decisions our elected officials make. When Pennsylvania again loses out on significant new economic opportunities for investment and job growth, it is incumbent on these officials to become more motivated than ever to pursue policies that will transform Pennsylvania into a beacon for investment, growth and opportunity. Reforms that create a transparent, efficient, accountable regulatory process; a competitive tax structure; and a skilled and able workforce will bring about an equality of opportunity for all Pennsylvania residents. These are the pillars of our member-driven Bringing PA Back economic recovery initiative, and the PA Chamber will continue to advocate for making Pennsylvania a winning state for job growth and investment in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.”