Our November Policy Pulse brought together regional business leaders for a timely discussion on post-election developments, critical county government challenges, and the issues shaping Pennsylvania’s policy landscape heading into 2027.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our November Policy Pulse Speaker Series! We appreciated the thoughtful discussion, questions, and engagement from our members as we explored the post-election landscape and some of the most pressing challenges facing Pennsylvania’s county governments.
The conversation reinforced the importance of collaboration among businesses, elected officials and community leaders as we look ahead to 2027. As the legislative landscape evolves, the Harrisburg Regional Chamber remains committed a bipartisan approach, listening to our members, and identifying the policy priorities that matter most to our regional business community.
Looking Ahead: The Post-Election Policy Landscape
Ryan Unger, President & CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, opened the program by reflecting on the Chamber’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its advocacy and member engagement.
Alex Rahn, PA Principal for Ax Advocacy then provided a timely, nonpartisan analysis of Tuesday’s election results, highlighting changes in Pennsylvania’s legislative makeup, congressional representation, and the broader national political landscape.
The presentation also examined potential policy priorities heading into the 2027 legislative session, including workforce issues, minimum wage, public transportation, housing, and economic development. While the direction of future legislation remains uncertain, the discussion emphasized the importance of staying informed and maintaining productive relationships with policymakers at every level of government.
Critical Issues Facing County Government
Our featured speaker, Dr. Kyle Kopko, Executive Director of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP), offered an in-depth look at the responsibilities of county government and the policy challenges affecting communities and businesses throughout the Commonwealth.
Dr. Kopko highlighted several key issues county governments face:
- 911 and Emergency Services Funding: The growing gap between existing surcharge revenue and the cost of maintaining reliable emergency communications, including staffing and technology needs.
- Mental Health Services: Increasing demand for county-administered services, workforce shortages, and the impact of delayed state funding on counties and their contracted service providers.
- Property Reassessment and Tax Fairness: The importance of accurate property assessments, equitable taxation and long-term predictability for residents and businesses.
- Demographic and Workforce Trends: How Pennsylvania’s aging population, migration patterns, and changing workforce demographics could influence future economic growth.
Additionally, Dr. Kopko did emphasize the importance of regional collaboration, including opportunities for counties, municipalities, and business organizations to work together on shared services, workforce development, and more efficient use of public resources.
Throughout the discussion, Dr. Kopko emphasized the value of bipartisan cooperation and stronger partnerships between county governments and the business community to address these challenges.
Help Shape Our 2027 Legislative Priorities
As we prepare for the next legislative session, our members’ voices are essential in shaping the Harrisburg Regional Chamber’s advocacy priorities.
Our 2027 Legislative Priorities Survey is being shared directly with Chamber members, providing an opportunity to identify the policy and regulatory issues having the greatest impact on their businesses and our regional economy.
We encourage all members to complete the survey by Friday, November 13. Your feedback will help inform our priorities and guide our continued engagement with policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels.
Next Up: December 3 Policy Pulse – Legislative Staff Networking at the Capitol
We’ll close out the year with a special edition of Policy Pulse on Thursday, December 3, from 8:30–10:30 a.m., bringing members together with legislative staff at the Pennsylvania State Capitol.
This networking-focused event offers an opportunity to build relationships, recognize the important work of legislative staff, and strengthen connections between our regional business community and those working behind the scenes in state government.
Thank you again to our speakers and attendees for supporting these important conversations. We look forward to continuing the dialogue and working together to advance a strong, competitive business environment across the Harrisburg region.
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ABOUT THE HARRISBURG REGIONAL CHAMBER & CREDC
For 140 years, the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC has served as the region’s catalyst for economic prosperity. The organization combines business, community, and economic development services to enhance the region’s vitality and livability. The Chamber is a five-star accredited chamber through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce- a distinction held by fewer than 1 percent of chambers nationwide. CREDC is the region’s toolbox for economic development. It is the only Certified Economic Development Organization (CEDO) approved by the Commonwealth’s Department of Community and Economic Development to perform economic development activities regionally using Pennsylvania’s funding programs across Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry counties.
