To The Editor:
On behalf of our membership, the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry (CCCBI) is calling for the General Assembly and Governor Shapiro to avoid a prolonged state budget impasse, which is now entering its fourth week.
Before an impact is felt by the residents and employers of the Commonwealth, legislative leaders and the Governor should meet jointly and collaboratively instead of forestalling negotiations through back-and-forth posturing in the media and online.
Previous budget delays have had adverse impacts on the state and local economy, affecting every resident and business of the Commonwealth. In addition, services such as child welfare, mental health programs, libraries, and domestic violence prevention could feel the impact of an impasse as early as August. Historically, further prolonged budget impasses have led to business tax credits being halted, school districts being forced to take out lines of credit, and human services organizations furloughing employees as they wait for state funding. Next, funding for institutions such as West Chester University and Cheney University will remain frozen along with that of state-affiliated colleges and universities. A further protracted delay could lead to a tuition increase for in-state students.
As the General Assembly and Shapiro Administration continue to deliberate, CCCBI is advocating that the final budget enact pro-business policies that foster economic growth such as improving the business tax structure with accelerating the decrease of the corporate next income tax; regulatory reform by streamlining of the state permit process; the funding of modern, safe, and reliable infrastructure and workforce development with continuing a childcare tax credit.
Unfortunately, it is unclear when legislative leaders will return to the negotiation table with Governor Shapiro.
Governor Shapiro campaigned on bipartisanship and getting things done in Harrisburg. CCCBI and its members are asking the Governor to hold himself and the legislature to that promise. Our local economy, human services, institutions of education, local governments and nonprofits should not bear the brunt of a prolonged impasse.
Laura Manion
President,
Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry
