Pennsylvania House Republicans reintroduce Commonwealth’s COVID Comeback

Pennsylvania House Republicans have reintroduced a package of pro-jobs, pro-families, pro-growth legislation designed to get the state back on the road to recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Called the “Commonwealth’s COVID Comeback,” the legislation would incentivize manufacturers and provide protections to small businesses while offering tax reform and regulatory reform aimed at bringing family-sustaining jobs to Pennsylvania.

“After the year our job creators and workers have had due to the crisis, we cannot wait any longer to rebuild Pennsylvania,” said Rep. Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington). “This package of bills is about jobs, families, and growth. Taking on these issues now will ensure a stronger future for our children and grandchildren.”

Kail’s bill would allow the Commonwealth Financing Authority to designation zones in the state to be used as a base of operations for manufacturing. Businesses in those zones would then receive tax abatements for local and state taxes and be eligible for targeted job creation tax credits.

Another bill, sponsored by Rep. George Dunbar (R-Westmoreland), allows job creators to reinvest in the state by increasing a company’s net operating loss deduction from 40 percent to 100 percent of losses. The increase would only apply to losses in 2020.

A third bill, introduced by Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter), encourages companies and employers to invest in skilled training and workforce development programs.

Rep. Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny/Washington) authored and re-introduced legislation that provides tax relief to low-income families and struggling businesses. The legislation adjusts the special poverty provisions tax exemption thresholds and reduces the Corporate Net Income tax from 9.99 percent to 5.99 percent by Jan. 1, 2025.

Another bill in the package would ensure permitting decisions are made promptly and reliably. Authored by Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne), the legislation would allow the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to consider permit applications complete if accompanied by a professional engineer’s affidavit that they are sufficiently completed.

The last bill in the package, authored by Rep. Torren Ecker (R-Adams/Cumberland), would help expedite and efficiently resolve lawsuits filed over exposer to COVID-19.

And a resolution in the package, drafted by Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington), would create a committee in charge of reviewing opportunities to develop new industries in Pennsylvania.

The legislative package mirrors a similarly named package introduced last legislative session. The legislators intend to introduce the bills early to ensure there is time to get the bills signed into law.

“We are proud to take the lead on such a critical package of bills. The most important part of being an elected official is improving the lives of the people you serve, and we’re confident this package would have an incredibly positive impact on Pennsylvania,” the group said. “It’s time for the Commonwealth’s COVID Comeback.”