PMTA recently joined a coalition of associations and chambers of commerce in the state to sign onto a memo to policymakers in Harrisburg urging reform of the state's permitting process. 

Long delays and a lack of transparency in permitting make Pennsylvania a less competitive state for business, increasing the cost of development and expansion for trucking companies as well as critical industries like warehousing and manufacturing.

Permitting red tape also affects the availability of trucking support facilities like truck stops and critically needed parking facilities. Permitting delays can be a hindrance to timely and competitive infrastructure development, delaying and increasing the cost of critical improvements to roads and bridges.

For these reasons, PMTA supports efforts to modernize and streamline permitting in Pennsylvania. SB 350 passed the PA Senate on May 10 by a vote of 29-19 and is now headed to the PA House of Representatives. 

To: The Honorable Gov. Shapiro and Members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly

Date: May 8th, 2023

Re: Support SB 350: Reforming Pennsylvania’s Permit Process

Dear The Honorable Governor Shapiro and Honorable Members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly,

On behalf of chambers of commerce and associations representing the state’s key industries and professions, we collectively urge the administration, House and Senate to fix the commonwealth’s dysfunctional and unpredictable permitting system. Doing so will result in greater opportunity for our residents, a modernized system of infrastructure, and encourage more investment into our state.

Pennsylvania has tremendous potential to lead the region and nation in a dynamic 21st century economy. However, as has been made clear throughout budget hearings, the commonwealth has too often lost out on investment to other states, and our inadequate permitting system is one key factor. The current process takes too long, lacks transparency, and costs businesses money and good-paying jobs for our state’s workers.

Lawmakers and the administration have increasingly recognized how the state’s existing permitting process is a major obstacle to new and expanded investment, and we appreciate those focusing on permitting reform as a priority, including in the Governor’s budget address and discussions with cabinet nominees before House and Senate appropriations committees. We further support executive action already taken related to permitting and encourage the administration and General Assembly to work collectively, build on executive orders and improved management, and enact durable and lasting reforms to the state’s permitting process.

Permitting reform will unlock a more efficient and modernized system of public infrastructure, facilitate re-shored investment into advanced manufacturing, and provide more opportunity for hardworking Pennsylvanians.

Reform should be built upon the tenets of predictability, transparency, efficiency, and durability, leveraged against a state budget that ensures adequate resources in terms of personnel and information technology. Now is the time to coalesce around meaningful reforms that will allow our state to truly compete and lead. Doing so will build upon bipartisan momentum at the federal level to streamline permitting and unlock American investment.

We have a generational opportunity to meaningfully change the economic trajectory of our state and communities. We stand ready to partner with you all as you tackle this important challenge.

Thank you for your consideration on this critical issue!

From:

Chambers of Commerce

Beaver County Chamber of Commerce

Bedford County Chamber of Commerce

Blair County Chamber of Commerce

Butler County Chamber of Commerce

Cambria Regional Chamber of Commerce

Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce

Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County

Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia

Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry

Clarion Area Chamber of Business & Industry

Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce

Exton Region Chamber of Commerce

Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce

Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce

Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce

Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce

Greater Reading Chamber Alliance

Greencastle- Antrim Chamber of Commerce

Greene County Chamber of Commerce

Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce

Harrisburg Regional Chamber

Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce

Indian Valley Chamber of Commerce

Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

Monroeville Chamber of Commerce

Norwin Chamber of Commerce

Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry

Perry County Chamber of Commerce

Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce

Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce

Slate Belt Chamber of Commerce

Somerset County Chamber of Commerce

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

Southwest Regional Chamber of Commerce

TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce

Venango Area Chamber of Commerce

West Shore Chamber of Commerce

York County Economic Alliance

Pennsylvania Employer Associations

Associated Builders and Contractors- Keystone Chapter

Anthracite Region Independent Power Producers Association

API Pennsylvania

Associated Builders and Constructors of Western PA

Associated Pennsylvania Constructors

Broadband Communications Association of Pennsylvania

Consumer Energy Alliance

Energy Association of Pennsylvania

Keystone Contractors Association

Life Sciences Pennsylvania

Manufacturer & Business Association

Marcellus Shale Coalition

National Federation of Independent Business

Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association

Pennsylvania Association of Realtors

Pennsylvania Builders Association

Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry

Pennsylvania Chemical Industry Council

Pennsylvania Coal Alliance

Pennsylvania Coalition for Civil Justice Reform

Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association 

Pennsylvania Forest Products Association

Pennsylvania Independent Oil & Gas Association

Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association

Pennsylvania Medical Society

Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association

Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association

Pennsylvania Telephone Association