Public Policy
Department of Community & Economic Development Requests Participation in Community Needs Survey
The Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) is requesting citizens take a short community needs survey to assist in its work. This community needs survey will provide another avenue for the citizens of Pennsylvania to contribute their opinion on the strengths and weaknesses of their community. DCED will use the survey results to…
Read MoreState Website Can Help Employers With Workplace Safety
Workers’ compensation costs associated with incidents in the workplace are a considerable portion of an employer’s business costs. Learn how to reduce your workers’ compensation costs through effective, proactive health and safety training programs that will benefit your employees and your bottom line. Pennsylvania Training for Health and Safety, or PATHS, is a resource for…
Read MoreMedical Assistance Work Requirements Bill Passes State House
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry Legislation to enact reasonable reforms regarding medical assistance eligibility and help encourage employment passed the state House last week in a 115-80 vote, after considerable debate. The bill would generally require able-bodied adults receiving Medicaid to work, seek employment or participate in job training, with numerous exemptions. This effort is…
Read MoreHouse Passes Several Tax Reform Bills to Help Small Businesses
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry The state House passed three PA Chamber-backed measures last week that would bring clarity to the state’s tax structure, improve competition and help level the playing field for small businesses. House Bill 331, which passed by a nearly unanimous vote, aims to allow for “like-kind” exchange of tax deferrals…
Read MoreHouse Passes Workers’ Comp Drug Formulary Bill
On Monday, April 16, the PA House passed legislation that will direct the Department of Labor and Industry to adopt a drug formulary for workers’ compensation. The intent of Senate Bill 936 is to reduce the overprescribing of opioids in dealing with the nationwide crisis. The Chamber joined with the PA Chamber of Business and…
Read MoreWolf Administration’s Cabinet in Your Community Event Slated for Williamsport
Last month, five members of Governor Tom Wolf’s cabinet came to Bloomsburg to participate in one of the Governor’s “Cabinet in Your Community” events, a series of meetings with local community members and leaders and various members of Gov. Wolf’s cabinet. Another Cabinet in Your Community event is scheduled for later this month nearby, on…
Read MoreGovernor Wolf Renews Opioid Disaster Declaration
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry Last week, Gov. Tom Wolf held a press conference where he announced the renewal of a 90-day heroin and opioid disaster declaration that he originally issued in January. The use of this declaration has allowed for an “all-hands-on-deck” approach to opioid abuse, with the elimination of red tape…
Read MoreMini Casino Survey Results
Last month, we asked our members to respond to a brief, three-question survey regarding a possible casino in our area, which followed the Bloomsburg Town Council passing a resolution that would allow a “mini casino” to locate within the town. Several other municipalities in Columbia and Montour counties have also indicated they are open to…
Read MoreHealthcare Perspective on Drug Formulary Bill (S.B. 936) Shared With House Lawmakers
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry At a recent Senate Committee hearing, Gov. Tom Wolf’s nominee for Secretary of Human Services agreed that drug formularies are a “valuable and necessary tool in administering” private insurance and public programs like CHIP and Medicaid, saying “I think our experts would say that that’s the case. Yes.”…
Read MoreFighting For Fairness in the Commonwealth’s Labor Laws
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry We hear a lot of the word ‘fairness’ in Pennsylvania policy debates. But what does it mean? For business leaders, fairness means having a sense of what to expect so they can plan for the future; being able to operate without a constant, looming threat of frivolous litigation;…
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