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Pro-Growth Agenda Primed for Early Approval

Lawmakers sworn in on January 1st to kick off the 2013-14 legislative session have an opportunity to act with no delay on a pro-growth agenda already vetted by industry, labor, and both political parties. The agenda was approved in August by the Governor’s Manufacturing Advisory Council (GMAC).

Pro-Growth Agenda for Manufacturing Primed for Early Approval in New Legislative Session

Lawmakers sworn in on January 1st to kick off the 2013-14 legislative session have an opportunity to act with no delay on a pro-growth agenda already vetted by industry, labor, and both political parties. The agenda was approved in August by the Governor’s Manufacturing Advisory Council (GMAC).

“We carefully studied, debated, and researched the items all through last spring,” said PMA Executive Director, David N.Taylor, who served on the Council. “They are ready for approval and will have both a short and a long term impact on manufacturing in Pennsylvania.”

The 15 recommendations released on August 21 cover the state’s tax structure, education and training for prospective employees, reforms in the regulatory scheme, better access to domestic and international markets and other policy, and legislative changes needed to improve the climate for manufacturers. 

In some instances legislative precedent already exists.

HB 1349, signed this year by Governor Corbett (Act 76) this year, (Act 76) requires an impact statement for any proposed regulation that may have an adverse impact on small business. The GMAC recommends that act be amended to cover all employers.

House Bill 1539, The Keystone Works I Program Act, would allow someone collecting unemployment compensation to be matched with a participating business, which will then provide skill enhancement for up to 24 hours per week for up to six weeks. 

The measure, the GMAC report says, would help create a more competitive business climate by giving the workers the skills required for available jobs. A recent study showed that 600,000 manufacturing jobs nationwide remain unfilled due to a shortage of skilled workers.

“The manufacturing sector is the engine that drives Pennsylvania’s economy, adding $60 billion in value every year, directly employing 575,000 Pennsylvanians, and sustaining millions of additional Pennsylvania jobs in supply chains, industrial services, and distribution networks,” Taylor said. “PMA looks forward to helping the Corbett Administration and the 2013-14 General Assembly to implement the pro-growth recommendations in the report.”

Sign the petition in support of this pro-growth agenda today! Click HERE!

View the full GMAC report HERE.