Chamber Supports Initiatives That Promote a Sound Region

Through its public policy initiatives, The Chamber recognizes the importance of a vibrant region and strives to support economic growth, tax reform, infrastructure investments, workforce development and quality of life.

For example, the Chamber has diligently advocated for business-friendly tax reform on two of the city’s most onerous taxes: the business privilege tax and the wage tax. Last year, the Chamber recognized the City’s need to freeze cuts on these taxes due to growing budget restraints.

However, in December 2009 we were pleased to win approval for a Tax Amnesty program, which we believe will help restore the fiscal integrity of the City and allow these tax cuts to resume. View Chamber President and CEO Rob Wonderling’s testimony on the proposed Philadelphia Tax Amnesty program here.

At the state level, Rob Wonderling participated in a February 2 press conference with Pennsylvania business leaders urging state lawmakers to proceed carefully in crafting the new state budget and focus on efforts to create a more competitive business tax climate that will promote business growth and job creation. View Rob’s statement here.

Also, we recognize that a strong infrastructure system is crucial in efforts to promote economic growth and spur job development. Last month, we renewed our support for dredging the main channel of the Delaware River from 40 to 45 feet. This will allow the River ports to accommodate today’s larger ships carrying more cargo, reducing the cost of moving cargo through the ports and enhancing their competitiveness. And the benefit of remaining competitive will flow across county and state lines. View the Chamber’s support of this position here.

In December 2009, we expressed our strong support of Pennsylvania’s application to convert Interstate 80 to a tolled facility, a critical component of our Commonwealth’s transportation funding plan. The additional funds would provide a capital improvement program for Interstate 80, and would provide a stable funding source for other key regional infrastructure improvements.

A strong workforce is crucial to the region’s economic success and growth as well. That is why we believe in investing in education, both at the secondary and higher levels, and have supported Gov. Rendell’s proposals for increased education funding.

Throughout the 2009-2010 budget process, GPCC advocated in favor of vital investments in education and was pleased when the Governor and Legislature reached agreement on a state spending and tax plan that invested an additional $300 million in public education. GPCC continues to urge lawmakers to make important investments in education and will ask that the third year adequacy funding targets remain on the table during the 2010-2011 budget deliberations.

The Chamber’s Summer Internships program, begun in 2007, is an investment in our future’s workforce because it equips Philadelphia’s young people with the skills necessary to become capable future employees. Our 2010 goal is to identify 1,000 paid internship positions. View more information about the Summer Internships program here.

We are also aware of the important role that our region’s 92 colleges and universities play in our economic success. That is why we oppose taxing higher education, a proposal made recently by local municipalities and reviewed by a state legislative committee. View the Chamber’s position of taxing higher education here.

The Chamber is dedicated to contributing to the improvement of the region’s quality of life. For more than 10 years, we have supported state legislation limiting certain firearm purchases to one per month. Last year, we made a contribution to the state’s effort for a public-information campaign about stricter penalties for firing at law enforcement officers. Read more here.

We understand that to improve our region, it is paramount to listen to the concerns of our membership. We have recently implemented a new advocacy campaign, called Relay, to identity the priority issues of the region’s business community and develop a broader advocacy network surrounding four key issues: business climate, infrastructure, workforce and quality of life. We are meeting throughout the city to discuss with business owners how to grow jobs in Philadelphia. For more information, click here.

We look forward to continuing to work with the business community in identifying and improving the issues that affect our region.