Rep. Cook introduces resolution to address state inflation

Pennsylvania state Rep. Bud Cook (R-Washington/Fayette) announced Wednesday he had introduced House Resolution 222 to combat inflation.

The legislation would establish an advisory committee that would review state laws, regulations, and procedures that might impede the supply chain and drive up consumer costs.

“Inflation is skyrocketing and devastating working people and their families,” Cook said. “The latest data shows inflation is up 9.1 percent from last year. That number is hard to wrap my mind around, and we need to act now to ease this burden on our citizens.”

Cook said he wrote the resolution after participating in a series of hearings in June on inflation and its impacts on families and employers in Pennsylvania hosted by the House Majority Policy Committee. At those hearings, witnesses said “bad” government policies, burdensome regulations, and worker shortages were at the root of high prices and supply chain issues.

“I remember the days of the recession in 1980 when Jimmy Carter was president,” Cook said. “There was a period of time when you were assigned days you could go to the gas station and fill up your car due to shortages and inflation. I fear we are headed in that direction, which is why this resolution is so important. It is my hope this resolution is adopted so we can get the Commonwealth back on track.”

As of Thursday, the resolution was awaiting consideration by the House Commerce Committee. The resolution was co-sponsored by 33 of Cook’s Republican legislative colleagues.