PA Chamber: New Occupational Licensure Law Will Help Address Workforce Challenges
July 2, 2020 | Lindsay Andrews
PA Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement after Gov. Tom Wolf signed S.B. 637, legislation that helps Pennsylvanians with criminal records re-enter the workforce by reforming the process by which they can obtain an occupational license:
Read MorePennsylvania Chambers of Commerce Urge Safe Harbor Protections for Business
June 17, 2020 | Lindsay Andrews
PA Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement after a coalition of 80 chambers of commerce throughout the Commonwealth sent a letter to Pennsylvania’s federal and state lawmakers urging support for safe harbor protections for employers related to COVID-19 in the pandemic era:
Read MorePA Chamber Appoints Mary Oliveira as Organization’s Chief Membership Officer
June 9, 2020 | Lindsay Andrews
The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry today announced that Mary Oliveira has been appointed as Chief Membership Officer. In this role, she spearheads the organization’s member-centric approach to deepening and broadening member relationships, while recruiting and onboarding new members to the PA Chamber. She also leads the marketing team in the strategic planning and execution of all marketing campaigns, events and initiatives.
Read MorePA Chamber Supports H.R. 836, Says Businesses Should be Trusted to Safely Re-Open
May 29, 2020 | Lindsay Andrews
PA Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement after the House’s adoption of H.R. 836, which would vacate a portion of Gov. Tom Wolf’s emergency declaration regarding the COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to business closures in Pennsylvania:
Read MoreLegislature Adopts Overtime Disapproval Resolution; PA Chamber Urges Governor to Let It Take Effect
May 27, 2020 | Lindsay Andrews
HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President Gene Barr issued the following statement after the Senate adopted House Concurrent Regulatory Review Resolution 1, disapproving the state Department of Labor and Industry’s proposal to significantly expand overtime eligibility standards.
Read MoreChamberPAC Endorses Devlin Robinson for the 37th Senatorial District
May 19, 2020 | Lindsay Andrews
ChamberPAC, the political arm of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, today announced its endorsement of Devlin Robinson for the 37th state Senatorial District in the upcoming Primary Election, which will take place on Tuesday, June 2. The 37th Senatorial District includes parts of Allegheny and Washington counties.
Read MorePA Chamber: Governor’s Liability Protections Don’t Go Far Enough
May 6, 2020 | Tricia Harris
PA Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement regarding the need for liability protections for employers and the healthcare industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic:
Read MorePA Chamber Launches ‘Bringing PA Back’ Initiative Website
May 5, 2020 | Tricia Harris
As part of its bold new initiative to help businesses safely re-open their facilities and jumpstart the economy, the PA Chamber today announced the launch of the ‘Bringing PA Back’ website.
Read MorePA Chamber Applauds Sen. Toomey for Plan to Restart Economy, Encourages Collaboration on Recovery Efforts
April 23, 2020 | Tricia Harris
PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement regarding the COVID-19 economic recovery plan that was released today by U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-PA:
Read MorePA Chamber Applauds Decision to Allow Construction Projects to Proceed
April 23, 2020 | Tricia Harris
PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement following an announcement by Gov. Tom Wolf that construction work in the Commonwealth will be permitted to resume on Friday, May 1.
Read MorePA Chamber Statement on Governor’s Plan for Pennsylvania
April 20, 2020 | Tricia Harris
PA Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement on Gov. Tom Wolf’s “Plan for Pennsylvania,” which he announced last week as the Commonwealth looks to re-open its economy following the COVID-19 pandemic:
Read MorePA Chamber Announces ‘Bringing PA Back’ Initiative
April 17, 2020 | Tricia Harris
As the Commonwealth works to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, the PA Chamber is taking the lead on helping businesses re-open their facilities safely and jumpstart the economy through a new initiative, “Bringing PA Back.”
Read MorePA Chamber, The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia and Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce Joint Statement on Wolf Administration’s Modification of COVID-19 Emergency Order to Close “Non-Life-Sustaining” Businesses
March 20, 2020 | Tricia Harris
Today, the Wolf administration announced it was modifying the list of businesses considered to be “non-life-sustaining” as it relates to the governor’s emergency order for all such businesses in the Commonwealth to close their physical locations. The administration’s modified guidelines can be found here. PA Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr, The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia President and CEO Rob Wonderling and Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce President Matt Smith issued the following joint statement regarding the update:
Read MorePA Chamber: New Study Reveals Impact Inadequate Childcare Options Have on Pennsylvania’s Workforce, Economy
February 28, 2020 | Tricia Harris
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation today released a report examining the impact of childcare issues on Pennsylvania’s state economy. The report is part of a broader “Untapped Potential” study of four U.S. states – Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania – that reveals the cost of childcare challenges in each state and provides opportunities to unlock economic potential for states and employers.
Read MorePA Chamber Statement on Recent Announcement Regarding the Future of the Constitution Pipeline Project
February 25, 2020 | Tricia Harris
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement in response to the recent announcement that work on the Constitution Pipeline project has halted:
Read MorePA Chamber Educational Foundation, PA Bankers Association to Host Eighth Annual Economic Forecast and Business Leadership Summit
February 20, 2020 | Tricia Harris
The PA Chamber Educational Foundation and the Pennsylvania Bankers Association (PA Bankers) are again joining forces to present the Eighth Annual Economic Forecast and Business Leadership Summit on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey.
Read MorePA Chamber Applauds Wolf Budget Proposal’s Focus on Bipartisan Workforce Efforts; Encourages Pro-Growth Initiatives that Will Improve the Economy
February 4, 2020 | Tricia Harris
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement in regard to Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2020-21 budget address:
Read MorePA Chamber: Revised Overtime Eligibility Rules Will Have Far Reaching, Negative Impacts
January 31, 2020 | Tricia Harris
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement regarding the Independent Regulatory Review Commissions decision to move forward with a proposal by the Department of Labor & Industry to dramatically expand overtime eligibility rules in Pennsylvania:
Read MorePA Chamber: Aggressive Minimum Wage Hike, Overtime Rule Change Proposal and Severance Tax Would Increase Cost of Doing Business in PA; Hurt State’s Competitive Edge
January 28, 2020 | Tricia Harris
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement regarding Governor Tom Wolf’s renewed calls to double the state’s minimum wage rate to $15, significantly expand the state’s overtime eligibility rules and for an additional tax on the Commonwealth’s natural gas industry:
Read MorePA Chamber Launches Career Calculator to Help PA Students Maximize Career Options
January 16, 2020 | Tricia Harris
The Pennsylvania Chamber Educational Foundation is proud to launch "Your Career Starts HERE" – an online career calculator aimed at helping Pennsylvania students make informed post-secondary education decisions. As the next phase of the PA Chamber’s wide-ranging workforce initiative aimed at addressing the jobs skills gap, Start the Conversation HERE, the calculator pulls key Pennsylvania specific information – including starting salary, educational costs and potential loan payments upon graduation. This new website tool is designed to help Pennsylvania students determine the most productive career path.
Read MorePA Chamber: False Claims Act Will Incentivize Lawsuits; Negatively Impact State’s Legal Climate
January 13, 2020 | Tricia Harris
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement regarding calls from some elected officials to enact a False Claims Act in the Commonwealth:
Read MorePA Chamber Vice President Elected Chairman of Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council
January 9, 2020 | Tricia Harris
The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is pleased to announce that Vice President of Government Affairs Sam Denisco has been elected to serve as chairman of the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council.
Read MoreChamberPAC Endorses David Arnold for 48th Senatorial District
December 11, 2019 | Tricia Harris
ChamberPAC, the political arm of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, today announced its endorsement of Republican David Arnold for state senator of the 48th Senate District. The Special Election for the senate seat will take place on Tuesday, January 14, 2020. The 48th Senatorial District consists of Lebanon and parts of York and Dauphin Counties.
Read MorePA Chamber Welcomes New Members to Board of Directors
December 5, 2019 | Tricia Harris
The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry’s Board of Directors has added new business leaders to the board and set in place its leadership team for 2020. The elections took place at the PA Chamber’s Annual Membership Meeting, which was held on December 5 at the Blue Bell Country Club in Blue Bell, PA.
Read MorePA Chamber Pushes Back Against Mayor Peduto’s Anti-Jobs Comments
October 31, 2019 | Tricia Harris
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement in response to Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto’s comments against another petrochemical facility and the natural gas industry:
Read MorePA Chamber Statement on PA Department of Labor & Industry’s Revised Overtime Eligibility Proposal
October 17, 2019 | Tricia Harris
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement regarding the PA Department of Labor & Industry’s latest proposal to dramatically alter overtime eligibility rules in Pennsylvania.
Read MorePA Chamber Statement on New Jersey Segment of Penn East Pipeline Project
October 16, 2019 | Tricia Harris
HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement regarding New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s announcement that he will refuse to issue pipeline permits to the Penn East pipeline project:
Read MorePA Chamber Statement on Governor’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Executive Order
October 3, 2019 | Tricia Harris
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement following Gov. Tom Wolf’s signing of an Executive Order to begin the process of entering the Commonwealth into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative:
Read MorePA Chamber Recognizes October as Local Chamber of Commerce Month
October 2, 2019 | Tricia Harris
The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is proud to join Gov. Tom Wolf in recognizing October 2019 as “Local Chamber of Commerce Month” in the Commonwealth.
Read MorePA Chamber’s 29th Economic Survey: Employers Report Record Sales Figures and Growth, But Concerns Over Skills Gap Remain
September 24, 2019 | Tricia Harris
Employers are feeling confident and positive about the economy, with many expecting to increase sales and grow their business over the coming months. Yet, despite this positive news, there remains a very real concern among the Commonwealth’s job creators with the status of the state’s workforce; with employers overwhelming stating that the jobs skills gap was the biggest challenge facing their business. These indicators were among the responses from the PA Chamber’s 29th Economic Survey, which was conducted in August 2019 by Susquehanna Polling and Research and was completed in partnership with The Initiative for Family Business and Entrepreneurship at Saint Joseph’s University.
Read MorePennsylvania Criminal Justice Reform Caucus Chairs Honored With ‘Allegheny College Prize for Civility in Public Life in Pennsylvania’ at 35th Annual Chamber Dinner
September 23, 2019 | Tricia Harris
At tonight’s 35th Annual Chamber Dinner, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry was proud to partner with Allegheny College to present the third annual “Allegheny College Prize for Civility in Public Life in Pennsylvania” award to the four chairs of the General Assembly’s Criminal Justice Reform Caucus – Senators Camera Bartolotta, R- Greene, and Art Haywood, D-Philadelphia, and Representatives Sheryl Delozier, R-Cumberland, and Jordan Harris, D-Philadelphia. The four legislators were presented with the prize for their efforts to build bipartisan consensus on reforms to the state’s criminal justice system; with the ultimate goal of reducing recidivism and helping individuals who have learned from past mistakes re-enter into the workforce.
Read MoreNational Counterintelligence and Security Center Director to Headline PA Chamber IT Security Conference
September 16, 2019 | Tricia Harris
With data breaches and malicious attacks from both external and internal sources continuing to be a top concern for information technology professionals and top management, the PA Chamber is proud to present its annual IT Security Conference on Wednesday, Sept 18. This year’s program will feature a keynote address by National Counterintelligence and Security Center Director William Evanina, who will discuss international cyber threats facing U.S. businesses.
Read MorePA Chamber Applauds Trump Administration Repeal and Replacement of “Waters of the United States” Regulation
September 12, 2019 | Tricia Harris
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement today regarding the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement that it will repeal the Obama administration’s controversial “Waters of the United States” rule with a new regulation:
Read MoreChamberPAC Endorses Judge Christylee Peck and Deputy District Attorney Megan McCarthy King for State Superior Court
September 12, 2019 | Tricia Harris
ChamberPAC, the political arm of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, today announced its endorsement of Judge Christylee Peck and Chester County Deputy District Attorney Megan McCarthy King for the Pennsylvania Superior Court in the upcoming 2019 General Election.
Read MorePA Chamber: Thousands of Dollars in Scholarship Funds Awarded to Pennsylvania Students Pursuing Careers in the Skilled Trades
August 20, 2019 | Tricia Harris
The Pennsylvania Chamber Educational Foundation is proud to announce that 24 Commonwealth students have been awarded a total of $75,000 in mikeroweWORKS Work Ethic Scholarships. The selected students are attending technical schools located within the Commonwealth to pursue careers in the skilled trades. As part of its ongoing commitment to address the Commonwealth’s job skills gap, the PA Chamber Educational Foundation has teamed up with the mikeroweWORKS Foundation for the past three years.
Read MoreChamberPAC Endorses David Rowe for Special State House Election
July 31, 2019 | Tricia Harris
ChamberPAC, the political arm of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, today announced its endorsement of Republican David Rowe for state representative of the 85th House District. The special election for the House seat will take place on Tuesday, August 20. The 85th House District comprises parts of Snyder and Union Counties.
Read MorePA Chamber: Patchwork Labor Policies Will Hurt Pennsylvania’s Business Climate
July 18, 2019 | Tricia Harris
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement regarding the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s 4-3 decision to overturn the Commonwealth and Allegheny County courts and uphold Pittsburgh’s controversial paid leave mandate.
Read MorePA Chamber Applauds Passage of On-Time Budget, Urges Lawmakers to Build on Positive Economic Momentum with Pro-Growth Policies
June 28, 2019 | Tricia Harris
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement regarding the recently finalized 2019-20 state budget:
Read MorePA Chamber Issues Statement on Closure Announcement of Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refinery Complex
June 27, 2019 | Tricia Harris
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement today regarding the announced closure of the Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refinery Complex:
Read MorePA Chamber Issues Statement on Finalization of Trump Administration’s “Affordable Clean Energy” Rule
June 19, 2019 | Tricia Harris
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement today regarding the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s finalization of the Affordable Clean Energy rule.
Read MoreWorkforce Development, State Budget Discussed at 2019 Chamber Day
June 4, 2019 | Tricia Harris
More than 90 state and local chamber representatives from across the Commonwealth gathered in Harrisburg today for the 2019 Chamber Day at the State Capitol. The annual event is co-hosted by the PA Chamber of Business and Industry and the Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals during one of the busiest times of the year in the Capitol, as state elected officials work to finalize the 2019-20 budget. The event provides a forum for constructive dialogue between local chamber officers and policymakers on key issues important to the state’s business community and the best ways to improve the Commonwealth’s business climate.
Read MorePA Chamber: Administration’s ‘Restore PA’ Initiative Threatens Pennsylvania’s Competitiveness
May 15, 2019 | Tricia Harris
PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement in response to the Wolf administration's continued calls for an additional tax on the natural gas industry to fund the ‘Restore PA’ initiative. This proposal would float a $4.5 billion bond in order to spend a few billion dollars in infrastructure related projects now, paid back over decades by higher energy taxes on businesses and consumers.
Read MorePA Chamber Applauds State Supreme Court Dismissal of Appeal in Zoning Case
May 15, 2019 | Tricia Harris
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement today in response to the state Supreme Court’s dismissal of an appeal in the case of Dolores Frederick, et al, v. Allegheny Township Zoning Hearing Board. The appeal sought reconsideration of a Commonwealth Court decision that upheld a local municipality’s zoning ordinance to allow oil and gas drilling. The PA Chamber had filed an amicus brief to the Commonwealth Court case representing the interests of its broad array of members.
Read MorePA Chamber Hires New Workforce Development Executive to Expand Workforce Efforts
May 3, 2019 | Tricia Harris
The PA Chamber of Business and Industry is proud to announce an expansion of its far-reaching workforce development efforts with the hire of Allen Norton as the organization’s first workforce development executive.
Read MorePA Chamber Applauds House’s Passage of Regulatory Reform Legislation
April 30, 2019 | Tricia Harris
The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry – the state’s largest broad based business advocacy association – today hailed the House’s passage of a regulatory reform package that aims to streamline and make Pennsylvania’s permitting process and regulatory environment more efficient.
Read MoreSenate Candidates Mastriano and Pittman; House Candidate Mustello Receive ChamberPAC Endorsement
April 22, 2019 | Tricia Harris
ChamberPAC, the political arm of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, today announced three legislative endorsements for upcoming Special Elections. The endorsements include: Doug Mastriano for the 33rd state Senatorial District; Joe Pittman for the 41st state Senatorial District; and Marci Mustello for the 11th state House District. All three of the Special Elections will coincide with the May 21 Primary Election. Additional information on each candidate can be found below.
Read MorePA Chamber Urges DEP to Fully and Carefully Evaluate Cap and Trade Petition
April 16, 2019 | Tricia Harris
Following the Environmental Quality Board’s vote today to accept for further study a rulemaking petition that seeks to establish an economy-wide cap and trade program, the PA Chamber urged the Department of Environmental Protection to carefully evaluate the far-ranging impacts of such a program. In early April, the PA Chamber joined more than a dozen business and industry groups in sending a letter to the board raising a number of policy and regulatory concerns with the petition – including its constitutionality and the impact that such a program would have on the state’s economy.
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