U.S. Chamber Shares Updates on Tariff Policy

HARRISBURG, Pa. — On Tuesday, July 8, the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and several regional chambers to provide updates on tariff policy and international trade developments.  The virtual webinar featured Isabelle Icso, executive director of international policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, who offered an overview…

Read More
Jessica Shirley Headshot

DEP Launches SPEED Program; Shirley to Speak at Policy Pulse

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has launched the Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development (SPEED) program, aimed at improving permitting efficiency and supporting economic growth.  Announced June 30 by Secretary Jessica Shirley and a bipartisan group of lawmakers, SPEED allows applicants to pay for a DEP-approved third-party inspector to…

Read More
PA state capitol building

PA State Budget Talks Continue as August Approaches 

HARRISBURG, Pa. — PA State Budget negotiations continue in Harrisburg as state officials work privately to reach an agreement on a proposed $51.5 billion spending plan.  The total spending amount remains a major point of discussion. The current proposal uses a portion of the state’s Rainy Day Fund to cover recurring costs. Lawmakers have not…

Read More
PA state capitol building

Governor’s Budget Proposal 2025-26: Business Highlights

All dollar amounts refer to new line items or increases to the line item from the previous budget. The full amounts of proposed appropriations can be seen in the 2025-26 General Fund Tracking Run. Economic Development • $3 million for the Marking to Attract Business program• Reallocate 38 positions and almost $9 million in current…

Read More
Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC

Governor’s Budget Proposal 2024-25: Business Highlights

All dollar amounts refer to new line items or increases to the line item from the previous budget. The full amounts of proposed appropriations can be seen in the 2024-25 General Fund Tracking Run. Economic Development Health and Housing Childcare and K-12 Education Higher Education Workforce Development Transit and Infrastructure Our Position Overall, the budget…

Read More

2023-24 Budget Update

July 6, 2023 (Harrisburg, Pa) This week, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed the framework and line items for the 2023-24 Pennsylvania budget via House Bill 611. The spending plan totals $45.5 billion and includes significant investments in critical areas such as environmental permitting, workforce development and retention, and education. Budget highlights for the business…

Read More

Commonwealth Court Blocks PennDOT Major Bridge P3 Program

On June 30, 2022 the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania sided with businesses and municipalities throughout Pennsylvania in its decision to block PennDOT’s Major Bridge P3 Program, which proposed the tolling of nine interstate bridges in Pennsylvania, including the I-83 South Bridge. The court stated that the Public-Private Partnership (P3) Board did not appropriately identify specific…

Read More

Harrisburg Regional Chamber Votes to Support Corporate Tax Reform Measures

Harrisburg, Pa. (June 14, 2022) – The Harrisburg Regional Chamber Board of Directors met on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 and passed three positions of support for corporate tax reform legislation currently in the General Assembly. The Harrisburg Regional Chamber’s Government Relations Committee recommended support on the following legislation: “A CNIT reduction is essential to Pennsylvania’s economy by…

Read More

Gov. Wolf, Sec. of Health Announce New Protective Mitigation Efforts to Put Pennsylvania on Pause through Early January

Gov. Wolf Limited-Time Mitigation Order Sec. Levine Limited-Time Mitigation Order As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today implored Pennsylvanians to take the next three weeks and stand united against the virus by adhering to existing mitigation orders and stricter efforts announced today. “Today I am announcing…

Read More

Legislative Update: Veto of H.B. 1737

We are extremely disappointed by Governor Wolf’s veto  of H.B. 1737 which was amended to include comprehensive, temporary, pandemic-related liability protections. Legislation to provide temporary relief by expanding liability provisions to protect businesses acting in good faith during these unprecedented times while following the guidelines outlined by the CDC, OSHA, and Commonwealth authorities has been…

Read More