Public Policy
Federal Tax Reform Will Help Businesses of All Sizes
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry The week prior to Christmas was an important one – not only in the world of politics, but for employers and workers across the nation. Congress passed a sweeping tax reform measure, the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, that makes the first substantial changes to America’s tax code…
Read MoreTime to Impute Income
From ChamberChoice As the year begins to wind down, employers should remember to have on their “to do” list a review of any benefits which need to be reported as imputed income. In general, the benefits that an employer provides to its employees are excluded from an employee’s taxable income. However, for employer-sponsored group term life insurance,…
Read MorePaycheck Protection Vote Fails in State House
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry Last week, the House failed to pass legislation that would have prevented public employers from using taxpayer-funded payroll systems to automatically deduct money for campaign contributions or other political activity from employees’ paychecks. Senate Bill 166 – which was defeated in a 90-102 vote on final passage – earned the support…
Read MoreTax Reform Bill Provides More Benefits for Small Business
A final tax reform package is expected to be on President Trump’s desk as early as Wednesday, Dec. 20. Following the passage of differing bills in the House and Senate, a conference committee with leaders from both chambers was formed to come to reach a compromise. A representative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce told…
Read MoreState House Passes Unemployment Compensation Funding Bill
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry The House passed in a nearly unanimous (183-4) vote last week legislation that many lawmakers called a “necessary compromise” to help address the state Unemployment Compensation benefit system costs for operational and system upgrades. House Bill 1915 was crafted with bipartisan support following the misappropriation of UC system funds…
Read MoreIt’s Official: Affordable Care Act Employer Mandate to be Enforced
From ChamberChoice Recently it was communicated that there were Internal Revenue Service (IRS) indications of intent to begin enforcement of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) “employer mandate.” However, as of Nov. 2, 2017, it’s official. On that date, the IRS issued its proposed assessment letter (Letter 226J) it will use when notifying employers of their potential…
Read MoreCoalition, Local Chambers Urge House Approval of Important Workers’ Compensation Reform Measure
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry The PA Chamber recently sent two communications to lawmakers urging support for S.B. 936, which would establish a prescription drug formulary for injured workers in the Commonwealth. A group memo was sent to House lawmakers from a broad coalition including hospitals, pharmacists, addiction treatment professionals, healthcare providers, local governments, school districts…
Read MoreWolf Administration Invites Pennsylvania’s Environmental Stewards to Apply for 2018 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence
From PA Dept. of Environmental Protection The Wolf Administration invites all Pennsylvanians who’ve recently worked on successful environmental projects to apply for the state’s top environmental recognition: the 2018 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence, honoring individuals and organizations whose dedicated efforts have improved air, land, and water quality in Pennsylvania. “The commonwealth would be a…
Read MoreMontour Address Updates Now a Waiting Game
Updated addresses for Montour County were sent to companies that provide GIS mapping services in August. However, some County residents are experiencing difficulty in receiving deliveries using their new addresses. The Montour County Commissioners say the companies are updating their databases on varying schedules. The County GIS office provided the new addresses to companies in…
Read MorePA Chamber Successfully Fights Back Against More than $1 Billion in Proposed Tax Increases as 2017-18 Budget Finalized; Continues to Oppose Additional Taxes on the Natural Gas Industry
From Gene Barr, President, PA Chamber of Business & Industry As we approach the end of the year, the 2017-18 budget has finally been completed. In late October, the governor signed into law a revenue package to balance the $32 billion spending plan that had gone into effect in July. After months of a protracted back and…
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