Bipartisan PA Competitiveness Caucus Launched to Boost State’s Economy
Source: PA Chamber for Business and Industry
In an encouraging show of bipartisan cooperation, Pennsylvania lawmakers last week announced the formation of the Pennsylvania Competitiveness Caucus, a bipartisan, bicameral group focused on strengthening the Commonwealth’s economic competitiveness. The caucus aims to pursue public policy that will help attract investment, retain businesses, and reverse population decline.
Led by state Sens. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) and Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton), and Reps. Paul Friel (D-Chester) and Josh Kail (R-Beaver), the caucus seeks to foster collaboration between parties and chambers to advance pro-growth policies and ensure Pennsylvania’s economy remains vibrant and dynamic.
PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein applauded the formation of the caucus, calling it a critical step toward achieving a more competitive economic landscape.
“This new caucus is exactly the kind of bold, bipartisan leadership our state needs,” Bernstein said. “Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are serious about making Pennsylvania a top destination for jobs and investment. We’re encouraged by the creation of this caucus and look forward to working with its members to make Pennsylvania more competitive.”
Lawmakers Highlight Key Goals
Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill:
“Although we sit on opposite sides of the aisle, we are united in our belief that making Pennsylvania more economically competitive through the advancement of pro-growth policies will benefit working-class families, reverse our stagnant population growth, and ensure our commonwealth is an attractive place to live, work and raise a family for generations to come.”
Sen. Lisa Boscola:
“The most recent budget was a giant step forward in making Pennsylvania more competitive today and building the workforce of tomorrow. We need to keep the momentum going, and that takes both parties and both chambers working together to create common-sense policies that help our businesses thrive and create family-sustaining jobs.”
Rep. Paul Friel:
“Our Competitiveness Caucus recognizes the enormous potential of Pennsylvania to be a global leader in industry, technology, and innovation. We are dedicated to developing legislative approaches that strengthen our families, our businesses, and our commonwealth.”
Rep. Josh Kail:
“The time to unleash Pennsylvania’s potential as an economic powerhouse is now. I am grateful for the opportunity to co-chair the bipartisan, bicameral Competitiveness Caucus, and look forward to collaborating on actionable policies that will spur prosperity in Pennsylvania.”
Looking Ahead
The caucus will hold its inaugural press conference on Jan. 28 at 8:30 a.m. in the Main Capitol Rotunda to outline its priorities and goals for the legislative session. Following the press conference, members will convene for their first caucus meeting.
For more updates on the PA Chamber’s efforts to improve Pennsylvania’s business climate, visit our advocacy page at www.pachamber.org/advocacy and register to attend the Columbia Montour Chamber's Legislative Luncheon on February 6th where we will hear from Luke Bernstein, PA Chamber of Business and Industry President/CEO.
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Founded in 1916, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is the state's largest broad-based business association, with its membership comprising businesses of all sizes and across all industry sectors. The PA Chamber is The Statewide Voice of BusinessTM.