Legislative Advocacy

Legislative Priorities 2007-2008

The Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC represents the interests of 1,700 businesses employing 115,000 people in Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry Counties.  Through input and feedback from the Harrisburg Regional Chamber membership, the Government Relations Committee has developed the following list of priorities for the 2007-2008 legislative session.

Four core priorities have been established in order to promote the growth and competitiveness of the business community in Pennsylvania:

Business Tax Reform

• That decreases tax liability for businesses and continues to phase-out the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax.

Health Care

• That supports Legislative solutions to address the continued increase in the cost of health care by making it more affordable and accessible so employers can provide coverage for their employees.

Meaningful Lawsuit Abuse Reform and Medical Liability Reform

• That promote fairness, common sense, and personal responsibility.
• That stabilize the medical malpractice insurance marketplace, fosters stability in the medical community, and promotes systematic reform that reflects shared responsibility among attorneys, physicians, hospitals, health plans, insurers and state and federal lawmakers to act in the best interest of the public.
• That works to end lawsuit abuse through Legislative consideration and approval of broad-based legislation to cap non-economic damages in lawsuits.

Transportation

• That offers funding solutions for improvements in multi-modal transportation, infrastructure, and critical services for economic growth and development.

Business also needs the following to be competitive:

Community Based Policies

• To develop local and state government procedures that impose minimal burden upon business; provides privatization opportunities; encourages regional thinking; and supports economic development to foster an economy rich in technology-related jobs.

Economic Development Policies

• That focus on the development of a comprehensive approach that ties government policy and economic development programs to increase the competitiveness of Pennsylvania business, here and abroad; increases quality of life; attracts emerging industries and target clusters; and attracts both employers and qualified employees.

Education and Workforce Development

• A system that provides all basic competencies for trained and skilled workers, with continued upgrading to ensure appropriate workplace skills and targeted encouragement of our recent graduates to live and work in our region.

Environmental Laws and Regulations

• That preserve the quality of our environment, while allowing for economic growth and development.