PMTA Joins 68 Groups Advocating for Reforming PA's Permitting Process
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