Members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate joined with business leaders on Wednesday to discuss the need to reform the state’s burdensome regulatory process, an effort they said would improve the state’s business climate and lead to a stronger economy.
Pennsylvania state Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) and Rep. Kate Klunk (R-York) and other state and local lawmakers outlined six major reform measures to streamline regulations. Those included proposals to require increased oversight of regulations that cost state taxpayers more than $1 million, removing two regulations for each new regulation added, and improving permitting transparency.
The leaders called for reducing the state’s regulations while standing in front of the entrance of the former York Narrow Fabrics Company in York, Pa.
“This site is the perfect location to talk about government red tape,” Sen. Phillips-Hill said. “This factory was once a booming operation, manufacturing the actual red tape used to bind the federal government’s regulations. While the factory may be closed, red tape is persistent in all levels of government. I’m pleased to stand with my colleagues to propose significant reforms to overhaul the state’s complicated regulatory process, which will grow our state’s economy, provide more opportunity for employees and drastically improve government accountability.”
Sen. Phillips-Hill and Rep. Klunk are sponsoring legislation to establish the Independent Office of the Repealer, which would reform and remove unnecessary and onerous regulations.
“Though some of these laws and regulations have been on the books for years, sometimes decades, they have never been examined and evaluated for their relevance, appropriateness and cost,” Rep. Klunk said.
Rep. Dawn Keefer (R-York) discussed legislation she is sponsoring which would require an enhanced review process for major regulations that create a significant cost burden for state or local governments.
“My REINS Act legislation is a solid first step to restoring this balance by shepherding in enhanced regulatory review to reduce the amount of prohibitive red tape,” Rep. Keefer said. “This would decrease unnecessary and duplicated government oversight to create a free market in which Pennsylvania businesses can thrive and grow, all while attracting more businesses to the Commonwealth.”
Rep. Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland) is proposing to reform the way regulations are approved and is supporting efforts to provide a one-stop shop for permitting in Pennsylvania. “I believe good government starts with transparency and that is what I’m looking to accomplish with my bills,” he said.
Various business groups including the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, the National Federation of Independent Business, the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association and the York County Economic Alliance were represented at the event.
Several manufacturing sites are cropping up throughout the commonwealth, but Carl Marrara, vice president of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association, said that removing burdens his members face could turn areas overlooked by redevelopment into huge opportunities for attracting large investment, growing jobs and providing family sustaining jobs to struggling regions across the state.
“Our employers are facing an onslaught of regulations from a breadth of departments at both the state and federal level,” Marrara said. “This creates uncertainty in business planning and results in companies not growing, expanding, hiring, and investing as they could.”
Kevin Sunday, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry’s director of Government Affairs, noted that the state is in a good position due to its energy assets and a strong economy.
“To take advantage of that opportunity, though, we need a well-functioning, efficient permitting and regulatory system in place in Harrisburg,” Sunday said.