Public Policy
Chamber Calls for Long-Term Budget Solutions
Once again, Pennsylvania’s budget remains unfinished months into the state’s fiscal year. In recent weeks, proposals to bridge the revenue gap have included targeted taxes and one-time revenue infusions. Earlier this month, the Chamber’s Board of Directors sent the following letter to Representatives Kurt Masser and David Millard asking for a commitment to bring stability…
Read MoreCongressman Barletta Talks About Pennsylvania’s Economic Opportunities
Audio of Rep. Barletta’s remarks (.mp3) U.S. Representative Lou Barletta conveyed optimism for the future of Pennsylvania and its economy to members of the Columbia Montour Chamber and Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau. The Commonwealth’s natural gas reserves and anthracite coal have considerable untapped potential according to the Congressman, while tax reform would put more money back…
Read MoreTrump Administration Repeals Obama-Era Clean Power Plan; PA Chamber Seeks Comment
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry Last week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt announced that he had directed his agency to move forward with a proposed rulemaking to formally rescind the Clean Power Plan in its entirety. The Clean Power Plan is a sweeping regulation that sought significant and costly emissions reductions from the…
Read MoreEITC & OSTC Approval Letters Being Released by PA Department of Community and Economic Development
Once again this year, the state budget impasse has held up the popular Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs. Following a letter signed by 79 House Republicans to Governor Wolf, the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) began sending out approval letters the week of Oct. 9. As…
Read MoreChamber Renews Call to Bloomsburg Council for More Information
On Monday, Oct. 9, Bloomsburg Town Council voted 6-1 to advertise an ordinance that would add considerable detail to the Town Manager’s job description. In previous public meetings regarding this issue, the Chamber has suggested that Council take a more comprehensive approach to detailing the processes of Town Hall. At the most recent Council meeting,…
Read MoreChamber Coalition Letter Urges Support for Federal Workforce Development Legislation
On Tuesday, Oct. 3, the presidents of the PA Chamber, Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia sent a letter to U.S. Senator Pat Toomey, asking that he urge the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions to act on the reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Career and…
Read MorePA Chamber’s 27th Annual Economic Survey Shows Employer Optimism on the Rebound, Ongoing Concerns About Healthcare
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry As the nation’s economy steadily improves, employers are increasingly optimistic about the state of business in the Commonwealth, as well as projections for future growth in sales and hiring. However, their ability to offer healthcare to their workforce due to persistent uncertainty and rising costs in the market…
Read MoreMedicare Part D Notices Due by October 15
From ChamberChoice Employers whose health care plans include prescription drug benefits for active employees, retirees, COBRA participants, or spouses and dependents who are Medicare-eligible must notify those covered individuals by Oct. 15 of each year whether their drug benefit is creditable or non-creditable coverage. This means the health plan is expected to cover, on average, as…
Read MoreChamberChoice to Offer Webinar on Successful Open Enrollment
ChamberChoice will offer a webinar on open enrollment titled “Guarantee a Successful Employee Open Enrollment” this Thursday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m. It is available free-of-charge to all Chamber members as a benefit of membership through the Chamber’s affinity programs through ChamberChoice. To register for this webinar and for a list of other upcoming webinars on…
Read MoreBloomsburg Council Candidates Discuss Flood Protection, Parking and Open Government
Ten candidates vying for Bloomsburg Town Council expressed their views on the most pressing issues facing the Town, how to better interact with Bloomsburg University, and how to support business growth at a candidate forum held Wednesday, Oct. 4 at the Alvina Krause Theatre, home of the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble. Several candidates emphasized the need to…
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