The Senate of Pennsylvania recently approved legislation that would repeal Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Senate Bill 1068, sponsored by Senator Gene Yaw, was approved by the Senate in a vote of 33-17. RGGI is a multi-state compact in which participating states require fossil fuel power plants to purchase allowances for…
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As the federal government shutdown continues, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a pause in the distribution of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as of November 1. This would be the first full stoppage of SNAP since the program began during the Great Depression. Approximately 2 million Pennsylvanians receive SNAP benefits. In Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry,…
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On Thursday, October 2, Pennsylvania Senator Patty Kim (15th) spoke to Chamber & CREDC members at the Policy Pulse Speaker Series. Senator Kim spoke to attendees about the Pennsylvania state budget, and where the General Assembly currently stands. Pennsylvania’s constitutional deadline to pass a budget for the Fiscal Year 2025-26 was July 1st. She talked…
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Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced last week that the Treasury Department will provide $500 million to Head Start providers and county governments to ease the impact of the ongoing state budget impasse. The money will be made available through a short-term investment loan program. Treasury will contact eligible organizations directly. To qualify, the funds must…
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Governor Josh Shapiro approved a request from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) to shift up to $394 million in capital funds from the Public Transportation Trust Fund into daily operations. The move allows SEPTA to avoid planned service cuts for the next two years. These funds are usually reserved for long-term projects and equipment…
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At the September Policy Pulse Speaker Series, the Harrisburg Regional Chamber hosted Pennsylvania Senator Dawn Keefer (31) and Neal Lesher, Government Affairs Director for the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry. They spoke with attendees about the growth of data centers in the Commonwealth. Senator Keefer serves on the Senate Majority Policy Committee, which recently…
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On Wednesday, September 3, the Harrisburg Regional Chamber joined the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, the Lancaster Chamber, the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce, and the York County Economic Alliance for the annual South Central PA Regional D.C. Fly-In. Together, the group represented 7 counties, 2.2 million residents, and $121.6 billion in GDP. We met with…
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Amtrak officials have warned that train service in Harrisburg could face disruptions if Pennsylvania lawmakers fail to resolve a transit funding dispute. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) depends on state funding to support public transit in the Philadelphia region. Some of those funds also help maintain rail lines owned by Amtrak that serve riders…
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The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has expanded its Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development (SPEED) program to include more types of environmental permits. DEP launched the SPEED program in June 2025 to help businesses and communities move projects forward faster while still meeting environmental standards. Through the program, applicants can choose a…
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The Harrisburg Regional Chamber voiced strong support for the Crane Clean Energy Center at a recent U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission hearing. This project presents a vital opportunity for Central Pennsylvania, bringing high-quality jobs, reliable clean energy, and long-term economic growth to our region. President and CEO Ryan Unger spoke on behalf of the Chamber, advocating…
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