Issues

  • Federal Accomplishments
    * In the Philadelphia region, Harrisburg and Washington, DC, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce strives to promote public policy that will bolster regional economic growth and improve our competitiveness nationally and globally. We urge cooperation and partnership among governments and the business and civic communities to achieve these goals.

    In Washington, DC

    The Chamber works diligently with our elected leaders in Congress to provide for a competitive business climate in the Greater Philadelphia region. Efforts that contribute to the region's economic development - including improvements to transportation infrastructure, the Delaware River Deepening Project, medical malpractice reform, energy legislation, and a competitive corporate tax structure - will remain at the top of the GPCC federal agenda.

    * Advocated for federal approval of important projects such as the establishment of tolls along the Interstate 80 corridor and improvements to Philadelphia International Airport.

    * Successfully urged Congress to create dedicated, stable federal funding for long-term improvements and passenger rail service expansion to Amtrak's Northeast Corridor. It is the first time Congress passed an Amtrak reauthorization bill since 1997.

    * Monitored Small Business Administration procurement initiatives to ensure that small businesses receive a fair allocation of government contracting.

    * Continued to back efforts aimed at preserving federally supervised private ballots in union elections rather than instilling a card check process.
  • Pennsylvania Accomplishments
    In the Philadelphia region, Harrisburg and Washington, DC, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce strives to promote public policy that will bolster regional economic growth and improve our competitiveness nationally and globally. We urge cooperation and partnership among governments and the business and civic communities to achieve these goals.

    In Pennsylvania

    Throughout the Legislative Session, GPCC advocated for action in three areas critical to Pennsylvania's competitiveness and future prosperity: economic stimulus, workforce development and infrastructure investment. On July 5, 2008, Pennsylvania lawmakers enacted a $28.3 billion general fund budget that reflects modest elements of these priorities.

    Key provisions of Pennsylvania's 2008-09 spending and tax agreement include:

    * No new taxes on Pennsylvania businesses or residents.

    * The mandated phase-out of the state's onerous Capitol Stock and Franchise Tax.

    * A new funding formula and a record $274 million funding increase for Pennsylvania's public school districts. The compulsory school age in the Philadelphia School District will drop from 8 to 6 under the legislation, and many hope that law will be expanded throughout the state.

    * $2.9 billion in new borrowing to address infrastructure needs and spur the state's economy:

    * $800 million increase to the debt ceiling on the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, which funds construction and other redevelopment projects, from $2.65 billion to $3.45 billion.

    * $800 million in bonds for water and sewer maintenance that would be paid back from slots funds and another measure instituting a voter referendum to borrow an additional $400 million for water and sewer repairs.

    * $665 million package to spur development of alternate forms of energy such as wind and solar power and provide a first-time state subsidy to biofuel producers.

    * $350 million, repaid from motorist fees and taxes, to fix about 400 of the state's most dangerous bridges; and $15 million, repaid from motorist fees and taxes, to improve airports and railways.

    The GPCC also worked to win legislative approval of the following measures designed to promote economic development and business growth throughout the region:

    * Legislation to expand and continue the state's Keystone Opportunity Zone [KOZ] program. KOZs are under-used sites, such as old industrial parcels, where discounts or breaks on certain taxes are offered if the land is developed.

    * Legislation enabling the City of Philadelphia to enact a Hospitality Promotion tax not to exceed 1.5% which will be applied to hotel room rentals and used to further support tourism and convention promotion efforts in Philadelphia.

    * A new law to reform Earned Income Tax collection in the Commonwealth that will ease the withholding burdens on employers by reducing the number of tax collectors from 560 to 69, streamlining the system and creating uniform rules.

    The GPCC was disappointed, however, that lawmakers did not act more decisively to improve the state's competitiveness by addressing modest structural changes to the Corporate Net Income Tax through an increase in the cap on Net Operating Losses and shift toward a Single Sales Factor. The Chamber will continue to advocate for passage of these important tax changes.

  • Philadelphia Accomplishments
    * In the Philadelphia region, Harrisburg and Washington, DC, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce strives to promote public policy that will bolster regional economic growth and improve our competitiveness nationally and globally. We urge cooperation and partnership among governments and the business and civic communities to achieve these goals.

    In Philadelphia

    On February 14, 2008, Mayor Nutter delivered his first budget addresses to City Council. The $4 billion budget included reductions in the wage tax that would drop the tax below four percent for the first time in 30 years. Nutter proposed the elimination of the gross receipts portion of the business privilege tax over the next ten years, and the reduction of the net income portion of the BPT down from 6.5% for the first time ever. The proposed reduction to the net income portion of the BPT is a measure the Chamber has long lobbied for, and is viewed by the business community as a major step in tax reform. There were no planned changes to residents' property taxes, but the parking tax will be raised from 15 to 20 percent to promote sustainable activities including street improvements.

    City Council

    * Lobbied for continued Business Privilege Tax reductions. City Council passed, and the Mayor signed, bills to reduce the BPT on May 22, 2008.

    * On March 6, 2008, City Council approved plans for a one billion dollar, 20-year expansion plan for the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. The Chamber supported this measure for four years, and testified on FCCC's behalf several times before Council stating its economic importance to the city and region by bringing 4,000 new jobs and more than $40 million in additional tax revenue to the city and Pennsylvania.

    * The Chamber was pleased to support the Philadelphia Re-Entry Employment Program (PREP) at a public hearing on October 18, 2007. This plan would grant employers a $10,000 tax credit per year for up to three years for hiring an ex-offender. This program is very important to the mayor and represents a concerted effort to stem the high rate of recidivism and increasing prison and population costs.

    * City Council approved the expansion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and Mayor Nutter created an Advisory Commission on Construction Industry Diversity to address the lack of minority participation in the building trades.

    * The Chamber was successful in holding off several bills that were particularly burdensome on small businesses last year - namely a food labeling bill and bills mandating paid sick leave for employees and several weeks of unpaid leave for victims of sexual or domestic violence.

    * The Chamber supported measures for transportation enhancements at Philadelphia International Airport, SEPTA and Amtrak.

    * Although the Chamber strongly supports gaming coming to Philadelphia for the economic benefits it brings in both jobs and revenues, the Nutter Administration is still working to finalize sites in Philadelphia.
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