The annual Pennsylvania Society gathering held late last week united Pennsylvania’s business, government, and civic leaders in New York City for several days of gatherings, political and policy discussions, and celebrating the Commonwealth. And in the spirit of the Pennsylvania Society’s mission of bringing together Pennsylvanians from all backgrounds and recognizing the causes and the people that move the Commonwealth forward, the PA Chamber was proud to host the Bipartisan House and Senate Leaders Breakfast honoring the men and women elected to lead their respective caucuses in the General Assembly.
PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein welcomed attendees by highlighting many of the bipartisan successes we achieved together in the 2021-22 legislative session, including:
- The monumental business tax reform package that will cut Pennsylvania’s Corporate Net Income tax in half and provided important small business tax reform;
- Passing a balanced budget that invests in the future;
- Helping around 3,000 Pennsylvania businesses avoid an unfair unemployment compensation tax increase; and
- Enacting a regulatory framework for testing and deploying autonomous vehicles, further solidifying Pennsylvania’s status as an investment hub for this trillion-dollar industry.
These accomplishments occurred with strong bipartisan support in the General Assembly. As we prepare for the next legislative session and aim to build on these successes, the PA Chamber looks forward to working closely with House and Senate leaders in both parties to advance pro-business policies that will lead to job growth and investment.
Several of those legislative leaders spoke at Friday’s breakfast, including House Democratic Whip Jordan Harris (R-Philadelphia); House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington); Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny); Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-Indiana) and Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin (R-Lancaster).
PA Chamber and PA ChamberPAC Board of Directors in attendance included Stephen Fera of Independence Blue Cross; Bob Beard of UGI Utilities; Christina Marsh of Erie Insurance; Dan Onorato of Highmark, Inc.; Jeff Vrabel of Baker Tilly; Kevin Walker of Duquesne Light; Dan Wilson of Eat ‘n Park; Bill Ward, Jr. of Ward Transport & Logistics; Stephanie Raymond of PPL Electric Utilities; Nikki Jones of PPL; Mike Warfel of Highmark; Pam Witmer of UGI; as well as PA Chamber Advisor and Former President and CEO Gene Barr.
A special thank you to PA Chamber Director of Political Engagement Allison Coccia for her efforts in planning this year’s event and to our generous sponsors for making it a resounding success: Allegheny Conference on Community Development; Concentra; Customers Bank; Highmark, Inc.; Hospital and Healthsystem Association of PA; McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC; Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians; Pennsylvania Bankers Association; Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association; and PECO Energy.