The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry joined a coalition of business associations and local chambers of commerce in urging state officials to reform the state’s ‘dysfunctional and unpredictable permitting system.”
In a letter to Gov. Josh Shapiro and state legislators, the group detailed challenges to permitting in the state and how it is a disadvantage in attracting new business investment. From excessive wait times to burdensome costs and a lack of transparency, permitting creates unnecessary roadblocks to growth, the group said.
“The Commonwealth has too often lost out on investment to other states, and our inadequate permitting system is one key factor,” the group wrote. “The current process takes too long, lacks transparency, and costs businesses money and good-paying jobs for our state’s workers.”
The group also voiced their support for recent actions taken by Shapiro to reform the state’s permitting processes and urged lawmakers to cooperate with the governor to “unlock the benefits” of the reforms in areas like a more modern public infrastructure system, increased manufacturing and additional economic opportunities in the state.
“Reform should be built upon the tenets of predictability, transparency, efficiency, and durability,” the group wrote. “Now is the time to coalesce around meaningful reforms that will allow our state to truly compete and lead. Doing so will build upon bipartisan momentum at the federal level to streamline permitting and unlock American investment.”
The group said it was ready to work with state leaders and capitalize on “a generational opportunity” to “unlock the state’s potential.”