PA Chamber Urges Thoughtful, Inclusive Process for Developing Far Reaching Workplace Proposal
October 22, 2021 | Leslie Gervasio
PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf announcing a series of executive orders impacting employers and the workplace.
Read MorePA Chamber-Led Coalition Urges Congressional Delegation to Reject Federal Tax Hike Proposal
September 30, 2021 | Lindsay Andrews
A letter to Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation that was spearheaded by the PA Chamber and signed by local chambers and business groups this week has urged a resounding rejection of the Biden administration’s recently unveiled plans to impose anti-business tax hikes on the Commonwealth’s private sector.
Read MorePA Chamber Welcomes US-EU Trade and Technology Council Meeting to Pittsburgh
September 28, 2021 | Lindsay Andrews
PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement regarding tomorrow's inaugural meeting in Pittsburgh of the United States and European Union Trade and Technology Council:
Read MorePA Chamber Issues Statement on PennEast Pipeline Cancellation
September 27, 2021 | Lindsay Andrews
PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement regarding the cancellation of the PennEast project, a major regional energy infrastructure project:
Read MorePA Chamber Statement on Biden Administration Vaccination and Testing Mandates
September 10, 2021 | Lindsay Andrews
PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s announcement that he is mandating employee vaccination or weekly testing at businesses with 100 or more employees:
Read MorePA Chamber Urges Additional Legislative Action Following IRRC Approval of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Regulation
September 1, 2021 | Lindsay Andrews
PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement after the state's rulemaking review panel, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission, voted 3-2 to approve the Wolf administration's regulation to enter Pennsylvania into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a multi-state carbon allowance trading program for power plants:
Read MoreChamberPAC Announces 2021 Statewide Appellate Court Endorsements
August 2, 2021 | Sam Denisco
ChamberPAC, the political arm of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, today announced four endorsements for Pennsylvania statewide appellate courts. The endorsed candidates include Judge Kevin Brobson for Supreme Court, Megan Sullivan for Superior Court, and Judge Drew Crompton and Stacy Wallace for Commonwealth Court.
Read MoreEmployer Survey Shows Business Interest in Assisting Workers with Childcare, Flexible Scheduling to Support Families
July 9, 2021 | Sam Denisco
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement upon the release of a joint report between the PA Chamber, PA Early Learning Investment Commission, and the Center for Rural Pennsylvania on childcare and the workforce:
Read MorePA Chamber: SCOTUS Decision on PennEast Pipeline a Win for U.S. Infrastructure
June 30, 2021 | Sam Denisco
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement on the Supreme Court of the United States’ ruling in PennEast v. New Jersey:
Read MorePA Chamber Applauds Vote to Scrap Crippling Overtime Rule, Save Businesses
June 28, 2021 | Sam Denisco
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement on the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s vote to block an onerous final overtime rule that would have hurt Pennsylvania businesses:
Read MorePA Chamber: State Budget Provision Provides Employers Much-Needed Relief; More Needs to be Done
June 28, 2021 | Sam Denisco
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement after the enactment of the 2021-22 Pennsylvania state budget:
Read MorePA Chamber: As Workforce Shortage Continues, States Across the Nation Pull Back Federal Unemployment Benefit Enhancements
June 17, 2021 |
PA Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement regarding the impact the federal unemployment compensation benefit is having on a national workforce shortage as Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards becomes the first Democratic state executive to withdraw from the federal program:
Read MorePA Chamber Looks to Commonwealth’s Long-Term Economic Growth in Next Phase of ‘Bringing PA Back’ Initiative
June 3, 2021 |
As the Commonwealth starts to fully re-open and move past the COVID-19 pandemic mitigation measures, the PA Chamber is pleased to present the second phase of its “Bringing PA Back” economic resurgence initiative. The first phase of the initiative focused on the short-term needs of employers operating during the pandemic, by helping businesses navigate challenging and often unpredictable mitigation efforts. The next phase – “Rise to the Challenge” – focuses on creating a framework for Pennsylvania that will promote long-term economic growth and opportunity.
Read MorePA Chamber: Workforce Shortage Slowing Economic Recovery
May 27, 2021 |
PA Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement regarding the current state of Pennsylvania’s workforce as employers experience challenges filling open positions:
Read MorePA Chamber, Greater Philadelphia Chamber and Greater Pittsburgh Chamber Call for Transparent and Consistent Application of Pennsylvania Election Law
May 12, 2021 |
The PA Chamber of Business and Industry, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia and the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, an affiliate of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, today issued the following joint statement in regards to potential changes to the state’s Elections Code:
Read MoreChambers Throughout Pennsylvania Call on Senator Casey to Keep Senate Operating Procedures Intact
May 10, 2021 |
Today 40 chambers of commerce from across the state sent the following letter to Sen. Bob Casey, D-PA, seeking clarification on his position regarding potential changes to the U.S. Senate’s long-held operating procedures, which some are advocating for in a quest to ram a far left-leaning and progressive agenda through the upper chamber. The chambers cited a letter Senator Casey signed in 2017 and comments he made to the media this past March.
Read MorePA Chamber: Anti-Growth Policies on State, Federal Levels Driving Investment Out of Pennsylvania
May 4, 2021 |
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:
Read MoreChamberPAC Issues Special Election and Primary Endorsements
April 19, 2021 |
ChamberPAC, the political arm of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, today issued endorsements for the State Supreme Court Republican Primary Election, as well as two upcoming legislative Special Elections. The endorsements include: Judge Kevin Brobson for state Supreme Court; Chris Gebhard for the 48th Senatorial District; and Abby Major for the 60th House District. The Special Elections are scheduled to coincide with Primary Election Day on Tuesday, May 18.
Read MorePA Chamber Applauds House Passage of Targeted COVID-19 Liability Protections
April 6, 2021 |
PA Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement following the state House’s passage of H.B. 605, legislation which includes temporary safe harbor protections for employers from unwarranted COVID-19 related lawsuits.
Read MorePA Chamber Earns Accredited With Distinction Status From U.S. Chamber
March 11, 2021 |
As a result of its strong government relations advocacy; dynamic membership relations, education and compliance programs; insurance operations and commitment to social responsibility, the PA Chamber of Business and Industry has been awarded Accredited with Distinction status from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Accreditation is the only national program that recognizes chambers for their effective organizational procedures and community involvement.
Read MorePA Chamber Statement on U.S. House Passage of the 'PRO Act'
March 10, 2021 |
HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement regarding the passage of the “PRO Act” by the U.S. House of Representatives:
Read MorePA Chamber: State Minimum Wage Report Highlights Actual Demographics of Minimum Wage Earners
March 4, 2021 |
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement regarding the recent publication of the PA Department of Labor and Industry’s "2021 Minimum Wage Report."
Read MorePA Chamber Statement on Delaware River Basin Commission Vote to Ban Natural Gas Drilling
February 25, 2021 |
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement in response to the Delaware River Basin Commission’s vote to ban natural gas drilling:
Read MorePA Chamber: Pro-Growth Policies are the Answer to Moving Pennsylvania’s Economy Forward
February 3, 2021 |
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2021-22 budget proposal:
Read MorePA Chamber: Policies That Increase Cost of Doing Business in PA Will Slow Economic Recovery
January 28, 2021 |
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement regarding Gov. Tom Wolf’s announced priorities for the 2021-22 legislative session – which include enacting an additional tax on the energy industry and a government mandated wage increase:
Read MorePA Chamber Statement on Governor’s Proposed Small Business Grant Program
January 15, 2021 |
PA Chamber President Gene Barr issued the following statement today in response to Gov. Wolf’s proposal to create a small business grant program using money from an injured workers’ fund to be directed towards businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MorePA Chamber Statement on Violence at U.S. Capitol
January 7, 2021 |
PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement in regards to yesterday’s violent security breach at the U.S. Capitol Building.
Read MorePennsylvania Once Again Ranked as Top “Judicial Hellhole,” Highlighting the Need for Civil Justice Reform and Liability Protections
December 9, 2020 |
For the second year in row, Pennsylvania has been named the home of the nation’s worst “Judicial Hellholes,” according to the newly released annual report by the American Tort Reform Foundation. While the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas – long known for its plaintiff-friendly rulings - has made regular appearances on the list in the past, this year the Court is tied with the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court to nab the No. 1 spot in the yearly ranking.
Read MorePA Chamber: Poll Finds a Majority of Pennsylvanians Don’t Want Government-Run Health Care
October 14, 2020 |
A new poll released today by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry shows that a majority of likely voters in the Commonwealth are opposed to the creation of a government-run health care system. Often referred to as a “public option,” this type of health care system would increase the number of individuals receiving health care benefits provided by the federal government, and would leave taxpayers on the hook to pay for it.
Read MorePA Chamber Issues Statement on Senate Passage of Greenhouse Gas Legislation
September 10, 2020 |
PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement in regards to the Senate’s passage of H.B. 2025; legislation that requires a more deliberative process with respect to the state’s potential participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
Read MorePA Chamber Issues Statement on Wolf Administration’s Latest COVID-19 Mitigation Orders
July 15, 2020 | Lindsay Andrews
PA Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement after Gov. Tom Wolf announced new mitigation efforts in response to a recent increase in COVID-19 cases in certain areas of Pennsylvania:
Read MorePA Chamber Welcomes EPA Proposal on Ozone Standards
July 14, 2020 | Lindsay Andrews
PA Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its proposal regarding national ozone standards:
Read MorePA Chamber Voices Disappointment with Cancellation of Atlantic Coast Pipeline Project
July 7, 2020 | Lindsay Andrews
PA Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement after the announcement that Dominion and Duke Energy have cancelled the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline project:
Read MorePA 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 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.
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