On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to host a tele-town hall for thousands of Pennsylvania residents.
PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein, along with U.S. Chamber President and CEO Suzanne Clark and Executive Vice President Neil Bradley, discussed key economic issues, such as state and federal efforts to combat inflation and rising costs, during the live call-in broadcast.
“The PA Chamber represents businesses of all sizes, in every industry, across Pennsylvania,” Bernstein said. “Yet, rising costs, supply chain issues, and the labor shortage are impacting nearly every business, regardless of size or location. We heard from many Pennsylvanians tonight who told us how inflation is taking away opportunity from their families and leaving them further behind. These concerns, which remain top of mind for Pennsylvanians, underscore the need for policies that will help bring down costs.”
Callers asked how to combat the rising costs of essentials from gasoline to groceries. Bernstein said the PA Chamber’s efforts to address inflation included advocating for the use of the state’s natural resources to bring down costs, as well as enacting permitting reforms to move goods to market more quickly.
“Everyone is feeling the effects of higher prices. To bring costs down and insulate against global markets shifts, we need an all-of-the-above energy strategy,” Bernstein said. “Pennsylvania is home to oil and natural gas, coal, wind, solar, nuclear, and hydroelectric energy. Expanding the use of Pennsylvania’s diverse natural resources, both domestically and abroad, will not only help drive down energy costs, a key driver of inflation, but it will also support good-paying Pennsylvania jobs and cement our state as a global leader in energy production and innovation.”
Bernstein also said the PA Chamber’s success in getting business tax reform passed will lead to more investment and growth in the state.
Clark said that nationally, businesses are up against economic challenges they have not faced in 40 years, including inflation, taxes, regulations, and surging crime. The U.S. Chamber is pushing Congressmembers to address those challenges.