Public Policy
Increase to Business Mileage Reimbursement in 2018
From ChamberChoice The business mileage reimbursement rate is used by some employers for computing employee reimbursement amounts when an employee operates a motor vehicle not owned by the employer for the employer’s business purposes. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is responsible for establishing the standard mileage rate. Recently, the IRS provided that beginning on Jan. 1,…
Read MoreExecutive Order Supports Broadband Infrastructure Expansion With Focus on Rural America
In an effort to support the expansion of broadband internet service in rural America, President Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 8 that streamlines the application process for locating wireless facilities on Federal property. The order sets guidelines and timelines for processing applications from private entities. It is hoped that other benefits will be realized…
Read MoreWorkers’ Compensation Costs to Increase Following Approval of Mid-Year Cost Hike Filing
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry On Dec. 27, the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance announced its approval of the Pennsylvania Compensation Rating Bureau’s unprecedented mid-year loss cost increase filing, with a Feb. 1 effective date. The filing was prompted by the state Supreme Court’s decision last year in the Protz v. Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board case,…
Read MoreInteraction of COBRA and Medicare: An Information Letter
From ChamberChoice Information letters are furnished by the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) National Office in response to requests for general information by taxpayers, by congresspersons on behalf of constituents, or by congress-persons on their own behalf. The release of information letters has increased and is intended to increase public confidence that the tax system operates fairly…
Read MoreNew Legislation Makes $30 Million Available in Grants for Businesses in Solar Energy Field
From Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy In an effort to help develop and maintain solar jobs and manufacturing in Pennsylvania, new bipartisan legislation was recently passed and signed into law to do just that. Act 40 is designed to keep solar energy jobs within the Keystone State instead of sourcing them to neighboring states,…
Read MorePA Department of Labor Offers Free Workplace Safety Webinars During January
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Health & Safety Division will offer a series of free webinars on workplace safety throughout the month of January. Titled PATHS (PA Training for Health and Safety), these webinars will cover subjects such as safe driving in inclement weather, dealing with angry people, snowblower…
Read MoreEarly-Stage, Technology-Oriented Businesses and Entrepreneurs Benefit from Tax Credits Through Keystone Innovation Zone Program
Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ) tax credits for 273 early-stage companies totaling $15 million were announced by Governor Tom Wolf on Dec. 28, 2017. Included are 11 companies located within the Greater Susquehanna Keystone Innovation Zone, which includes portions of Bloomsburg, Danville, Lewisburg, Sunbury, and Selinsgrove. The Keystone Innovation Zone Program is designed to support and…
Read MoreGeisinger Community Health Needs Assessment Community Partner Forums to be Held in January
In conjunction with the 2019 fiscal year Community Health Needs Assessment, Geisinger and its partners, Allied Services and Evangelical Community Hospital, invite you to join with other regional community partners for conversation about our research findings from the CHNA, the impact and challenges of health needs in our community and how we can increase collaboration…
Read MorePA Chamber Celebrates 2017 Pro-Business Achievements, Gears up for 2018 Priorities on Behalf of Its Members
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry With 2017 drawing to a close and the legislature recessed until after the New Year, now is a great time for the PA Chamber to assess our accomplishments on behalf of our membership this year and look toward our ongoing goals for 2018. We were happy to see…
Read MoreIn compliance: How to avoid the plan administration pitfalls of employee benefits
From ChamberChoice and Small Business Pittsburgh There are numerous employee benefits laws requiring compliance. Staying on top of compliance can be daunting, and it’s easy for something to fall through the cracks. As you gear up for the New Year, take some time to review the pitfalls of employee benefits plan administration. Smart Business spoke with…
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