Press Releases

PA Chamber Statement on State Senate Democrats COVID Relief Package

December 4, 2020 | Tricia Harris

PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement in response to Pennsylvania Senate Democrats proposed $4 billion COVID-19 relief package:

New Members Elected to PA Chamber Board of Directors at Annual Meeting

December 3, 2020 | 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 2021.  The elections took place at the PA Chamber’s Annual Membership Meeting, which was held on December 3.  This year’s meeting was held virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

PA Chamber: Governor’s Veto of COVID-19 Liability Protections Strike Another Blow to State’s Business, Non-Profit, Education and Medical Communities; Will Hinder Economic Recovery

November 30, 2020 | Tricia Harris

PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of H.B. 1737, legislation which included temporary safe harbor protections against unwarranted COVID-19 related lawsuits for employers complying with public health guidelines.

Nearly 80 Associations – Representing a Wide Range of Constituencies – Call on Governor to Sign H.B. 1737 Into Law

November 24, 2020 | Tricia Harris

Today nearly 80 associations representing a wide range of constituencies – including advocates for children, nonprofits, the United Way, child care and academic facilities, the hospitality industry, small business and the medical community – sent the following letter to Gov. Tom Wolf urging him to sign into law H.B. 1737, legislation which includes temporary safe harbor protections against unwarranted COVID-19 related lawsuits for employers and organizations complying with public health guidelines.

PA Chamber Urges Governor to Sign Targeted COVID-19 Liability Protections Legislation Into Law

November 20, 2020 | Tricia Harris

Following the General Assembly’s passage of H.B. 1737, legislation which includes temporary safe harbor protections for employers from unwarranted COVID-19 related lawsuits, PA Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement calling on Gov. Tom Wolf to sign the bill into law.

PA Chamber Calls for Targeted COVID-19 Liability Protections

November 18, 2020 | Tricia Harris

In light of strengthened masking orders from the Wolf administration that are in response to an increase in COVID-19 cases, PA Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement calling on the state and federal government to implement targeted COVID-19 liability protections for Pennsylvania’s job creators.

PA Chamber Condemns Acts of Intolerance, Calls for Civility in Public Discourse

October 14, 2020 | Tricia Harris

PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement condemning acts of intolerance and hate speech, including recent incidents in which racial slurs were directed at Pennsylvania’s Second Lady Gisele Fetterman and literature scribbled with Nazi references was sent to state Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-Luzerne, which is particularly offensive and disturbing given Rep. Kaufer is a public servant of the Jewish faith.

PA Chamber: Poll Finds a Majority of Pennsylvanians Don’t Want Government-Run Health Care

October 14, 2020 | Tricia Harris

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.

ChamberPAC Endorses Timothy DeFoor for Auditor General

October 6, 2020 | Tricia Harris

ChamberPAC, the political arm of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, today announced its endorsement of Republican Timothy DeFoor for state Auditor General in the upcoming General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3. 

PA Chamber Urges Governor to Hold Off on Harmful Overtime Rule

October 1, 2020 | Tricia Harris

Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President Gene Barr issued the following statement in response to an announcement that the Wolf Administration plans to move forward with a divisive overtime expansion proposal that could harm both employers and employees at a time when they can least afford it.

PA Chamber Issues Statement on Governor's Veto of H.B. 2025

September 24, 2020 | Tricia Harris

PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement in regards to Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of H.B. 2025; legislation that would require a more deliberative process with respect to the state’s potential participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a cap-and-trade program for the power generation sector.

PA Chamber Unveils New Interactive Online Legislative Scorecard

September 14, 2020 | Tricia Harris

With the 2020 General Election right around the corner, the PA Chamber is proud to unveil its online Legislative Scorecard.  This interactive tool highlights how members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly voted on key pieces of legislation impacting the Commonwealth’s business community over the course of the 2019-20 legislative session; and also shows their career voting record on such proposals.   

PA Chamber Issues Statement on Senate Passage of Greenhouse Gas Legislation

September 10, 2020 | Tricia Harris

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.

PA Chamber Statement on Governor’s Call to Legalize Recreational Marijuana

September 3, 2020 | Tricia Harris

PA Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s call for the General Assembly to legalize recreational marijuana.

PA Chamber Calls on Governor to Add Targeted COVID-19 Liability Protections to his Fall Agenda

August 25, 2020 | Tricia Harris

PA Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s press conference outlining his fall agenda.

ChamberPAC Announces Legislative Endorsements for 2020 General Election

August 24, 2020 | Tricia Harris

ChamberPAC, the political arm of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, today announced its candidate endorsements for the Pennsylvania General Assembly in the upcoming 2020 General Election.  ChamberPAC supports candidates and incumbent lawmakers who are dedicated to improving the Commonwealth’s business climate through pro-growth, pro-jobs policies. This year, each of the 203 seats in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, as well as 25 of the 50 state Senate seats, will be on the ballot.

PA Chamber Urges New Direction for Additional Unemployment Benefit

August 14, 2020 | Tricia Harris

PA Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement regarding proposals to extend the federal $600 weekly unemployment benefit paid in addition to regular state benefits.  

PA Chamber Joins Forces with PA Medical Society, Hospital and Healthsystem Association of PA on #WhyIWearIt Mask Campaign

August 12, 2020 | Tricia Harris

As part of its “Bringing PA Back” initiative, the PA Chamber has partnered with the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) and the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) on a new social media campaign that features employers and medical professionals promoting mask wearing as a critical component of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 recovery efforts.

PA Chamber Educational Foundation Announces 2020 Work Ethic Scholarship Winners

August 10, 2020 | Tricia Harris

The Pennsylvania Chamber Educational Foundation is proud to announce that 18 Commonwealth students have been awarded a total of $108,000 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 four years. 

Diverse Coalition Urges Pennsylvania’s Congressional Delegation to Enact Temporary Liability Protections

August 3, 2020 | Lindsay Andrews

A broad-based coalition representing industries and employers throughout Pennsylvania sent a letter today to Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation urging support for much-needed and long-overdue liability protections for those complying with health and safety guidelines. 

PA 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:  

PA 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:

PA 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:

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:

Pennsylvania 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:

PA 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.

PA 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:

Legislature 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.  

ChamberPAC 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 37^th state Senatorial District in the upcoming Primary Election, which will take place on Tuesday, June 2.  The 37^th Senatorial District includes parts of Allegheny and Washington counties.

PA 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:  

PA 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.

PA 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:

PA 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.

PA 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:  

PA 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.”

PA 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:

PA Chamber, The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia and Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce Issue Joint Statement on Governor’s COVID-19 Emergency Order to Close “Non-Life-Sustaining” Businesses

March 20, 2020 | Tricia Harris

PA 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.

PA 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:

PA 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. 

PA 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:

PA 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:

PA 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:

PA 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.

PA 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: 

PA 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. 

ChamberPAC 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 48^th Senate District.  The Special Election for the senate seat will take place on Tuesday, January 14, 2020.  The 48^th Senatorial District consists of Lebanon and parts of York and Dauphin Counties. 

PA 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.

PA 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:

PA 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. 

PA 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:

PA 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:

PA 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. 

PA 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 29^th 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.   

Pennsylvania 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 35^th 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.

National 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.

PA 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:

ChamberPAC 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.

PA 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. 

ChamberPAC 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 85^th House District.  The special election for the House seat will take place on Tuesday, August 20.  The 85^th House District comprises parts of Snyder and Union Counties. 

PA 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. 

PA 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:

PA 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:

PA 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.

Workforce 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.

PA 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.

PA 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.

PA 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.

PA 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.

Senate 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 33^rd state Senatorial District; Joe Pittman for the 41^st state Senatorial District; and Marci Mustello for the 11^th 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.

PA 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.