More than 20 statewide trade organizations today presented a unified pro-growth agenda to improve Pennsylvania’s competitiveness, titled “Growing Pennsylvania’s 21^st Century Economy”. Publication of the proposals was the culmination of nearly nine months of collaborative work among the associations, representing the broadest spectrum of the employers and trained professionals who make things, provide services, add value, create jobs, and pay taxes.

The proposals made public, in a Capitol Rotunda news conference, cover the full spectrum of state public-policy issues including:

• Budget and Government Spending;
• Business Taxes;
• Energy Affordability and Availability;
• Environmental Regulation;
• Health Care Affordability and Availability for Employers & Individuals;
• Infrastructure; and
• Comprehensive Legal Reform.
  

“This is a landmark event,” said John T. Tighe, III – CEO of TMG Health, Inc. and Chairman of the Pennsylvania Business Council (PBC).  “For many years, policymakers have complained the business community does not speak with a unified voice, or work for a shared agenda.  Those days are over.”

“In my many years of advocating for Pennsylvania’s employers, I have never seen such a high degree of collegiality and cooperation within the business community as we are witnessing today,” said Frederick W. Anton III, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association.  

“Pennsylvania and the nation are in the throes of an economic recession,” said PBC President David W. Patti, “but this recession will end and when it does Pennsylvania must be poised to take advantage of the global recovery by being more competitive.  More competitive than Pennsylvania was before.  More competitive than other states.  More competitive than other nations.”

“Over the last two years small business owners have had to adapt to just about everything this economy could throw at them—housing collapse, credit crunch, rising unemployment—they’ve weathered the storm by making tough decisions and living within their means,” said NFIB state director Kevin Shivers.  “All they’re asking of our elected officials is that they do the same.”

The business leaders acknowledged there will be plenty of debate over some of the proposals, and that few will be enacted quickly.  “This is a long-term effort that will require public dialogue and a transparent political process.  We hope that candidates for office will study these proposals and weave them into their plans for strengthening Pennsylvania,” explained Tighe. 

Patti said the coalition envisions a Pennsylvania where, “… our residents enjoy a very high quality of life in sustainable communities; those seeking employment find quality jobs with good compensation; and those who invest their capital and hard work can grow firms that flourish and are profitable.”

The entire document can be downloaded or read online by clicking here.  A copy was delivered to each Capitol office as an 8-page supplement to the June edition of the Capital Watch newspaper.

PBC’s eNewsletter keepingSCORE will be used to chart progress on the proposals contained in “Growing Pennsylvania’s 21^st Century Economy.”  Legislative voting records on bills related to the proposals will be tracked online at www.pennsylvaniaprosperity.org.