Pennsylvania lawmakers formed the new bipartisan, bicameral Pennsylvania Competitiveness Caucus within the state General Assembly to unify efforts around bolstering the commonwealth’s long-term economic competitiveness.
Formation of the caucus comes during a crucial time as the state faces challenges in retaining businesses, attracting new investment, and reversing stagnant population growth, according to a Jan. 14 statement issued by State Sens. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) and Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton), and Pennsylvania Reps. Paul Friel (D-Chester) and Josh Kail (R-Beaver).
The caucus will serve as a platform for lawmakers to collaborate on policies that drive economic growth and make Pennsylvania an attractive place to live and work, according to the four members who formed the new caucus and will co-chair it.
“Although we sit on opposite sides of the aisle, we are united in our belief that making Pennsylvania more economically competitive through the advancement of pro-growth policies will benefit working-class families, reverse our stagnant population growth and ensure our commonwealth is an attractive place to live, work and raise a family for generations to come,” said Phillips-Hill. “I am thrilled to be joining this bipartisan group of my colleagues to elevate this vital conversation and focus on key policies that will grow our state.”
The Pennsylvania Competitiveness Caucus will build on the momentum created by recent pro-growth wins in the 2024-2025 state budget, including permitting reform and eliminating the state’s start-up tax by improving the treatment of net operating losses.
These policy victories reflect a broader effort to enhance the state’s economic landscape, the lawmakers said in their joint statement.
“The most recent budget was a giant step forward in making Pennsylvania more competitive today and building the workforce of tomorrow,” Boscola said. “We need to keep the momentum going, and that takes both parties and both chambers working together to create common-sense policies that help our businesses thrive and create family-sustaining jobs.”
The caucus will focus on key public policy impacting the state’s ability to attract and retain business investment in Pennsylvania.
“Our Competitiveness Caucus recognizes the enormous potential of Pennsylvania to be a global leader in industry, technology, and innovation,” said Friel. “We also know that the prosperity of our citizens is tied to the policies that unlock this economic potential, and we are dedicated to developing legislative approaches that strengthen our families, our businesses and our commonwealth.”
Additionally the caucus will unite legislators to work together on the shared mission of positioning Pennsylvania as a leader in economic performance.
“The time to unleash Pennsylvania’s potential as an economic powerhouse is now,” Kail said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to co-chair the bipartisan, bicameral Competitiveness Caucus, and look forward to collaborating on actionable policies that will spur prosperity in Pennsylvania.”
The caucus will hold a press conference on Jan. 28 at 8:30 a.m. in the Main Capitol Rotunda to discuss its goals for the legislative session, immediately followed by a caucus members-only meeting.