Business leaders from across the Lehigh Valley met last week in Easton with Congressman Ryan Mackenzie to discuss how recent federal tax reforms are affecting investment and hiring decisions.

The roundtable discussion was held at Crayola, a PA Chamber Investor member, and hosted in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. The event also included a tour of Crayola’s crayon manufacturing facility.

PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein and Director of Government Affairs Neal Lesher participated in the discussion alongside Crayola officials and local business leaders.

The discussion focused on several tax provisions enacted last year, including full expensing for capital investments, the restoration of immediate research and development deductions, and the continuation of the Qualified Business Income deduction for pass-through entities.

Bernstein said employers are beginning to act on those changes.

“Pennsylvania employers are already putting last summer’s pro-growth tax reforms to work — investing, growing payrolls, and planning with greater certainty,” he said. “Congressman Mackenzie played a key role in getting that across the finish line, and we appreciate his continued engagement with employers here in the Lehigh Valley.”

Mackenzie emphasized that the changes are intended to provide more predictability for businesses and increase take-home pay for workers.

Local business leaders used the roundtable to share feedback on how the tax code is affecting operations, hiring plans, and long-term investment decisions. Several participants said clarity in federal tax policy remains a key factor in whether companies expand.

The event was part of a broader effort by the U.S. Chamber to convene similar discussions across the country on maintaining a competitive tax structure. For the PA Chamber, the roundtable was one of several recent regional events aimed at connecting employers with policymakers at the state and federal levels.