Public Policy
Bloomsburg Ordinance Change Seeks to Increase Parking Availability
Bloomsburg Town Council recently approved an amendment to its zoning ordinance with a goal of increasing the amount of public parking available for people who visit and work in the downtown. The changes, approved by Council at its December 10th meeting, require that any new residential development in the downtown commercial district provide private parking.…
Read MorePA Chamber Signs Letter Urging Federal Passage of “Prisons to Paychecks Bill”
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry Last week, the Justice Action Network – a national coalition of chambers of commerce, corrections programs and business associations – sent the legislative leaders of the U.S. House and Senate a letter urging passage of the bipartisan FIRST STEP Act, which will help address a skills gap within the nation’s…
Read MoreReport Offers Options for Keeping Nuclear Power Viable
A recently-released report from the state legislature’s Nuclear Energy Caucus details possible policy solutions that could reduce the risk of premature closure of nuclear power plants in the state. A coalition that works to educate Pennsylvanians about the economic and environmental benefits of nuclear energy and the industry’s positive impact on local communities applauded the…
Read MoreHIPAA Laws: What Employers Don’t Know Can Hurt Them
From ChamberChoice and Smart Business Pittsburgh When it comes to the issue of privacy concerning employees and their health care benefits, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is one of the most misunderstood and miscommunicated laws for both employers and employees alike. “HIPAA can seem unclear, and when coupled with an employer’s health care…
Read MoreIndependent Fiscal Office Predicts Strong Returns But Looming Deficit For Next Fiscal Year
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry Last week, the state’s Independent Fiscal Office released its economic and budget outlook for the next five years. The Executive Summary of the IFO’s findings are based on three main assumptions: that the labor force will expand despite a decline in the labor market between 20-64 year olds;…
Read MoreAttendees Learn About State’s New Medical Marijuana Law, How to Apply it to Workplace Drug Policy
A large crowd of area professionals, including those that work in human resources, security, administration, small business owners and more, attended a lunch seminar on Pennsylvania’s new medical marijuana law and how it relates to workplace drug policy on Thursday, Nov. 15 at the Columbia Mall. The workshop, which was organized by the Chamber and…
Read MoreYou’re Getting a Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) Rebate, Now What?
From ChamberChoice Under the Affordable Care Act, (ACA) insurance companies must spend a minimum percentage of premiums on medical care rather than administrative costs, referred to as the Medical Loss Ratio (MLR). If an insurer does not meet this minimum percentage amount, it is required to provide rebates to policyholders. Insurers are required to notify the…
Read MoreBenefits Open Enrollment 2019: What You Need to Know
From ChamberChoice Open enrollment can be a complicated process, especially if decisions surrounding the employee benefits plan selections are delayed. To make matters more interesting, there are legal changes affecting the design and administration of benefits for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2019, says Aaron Ochs, managing consultant at JRG Advisors. In addition,…
Read MoreWorkers’ Comp Fix Signed Into Law
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry In welcome news for the state’s business community, one of the PA Chamber’s top priorities this session – legislation that will save employers hundreds of millions of dollars a year – was signed by Gov. Tom Wolf last week. Act 111 of 2018 (formerly H.B. 1840) addresses last year’s…
Read MorePursuing Health Insurance Options for Members
In June, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a rule that allowed small businesses to once again band together for health insurance. However, Pennsylvania was one of 12 states that has thrown a bucket of cold water on the opportunity for chambers, and other associations, to offer lower-cost options for members. Organizations at the…
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