Watchdog - Business Advocacy

SAVE THE DATE!
The Annual Legislative Luncheon is scheduled for Thursday, January 21, 2010. More details will follow as they become available.

At Last Year's Legislative Luncheon
Pictured: from left to right: back row: Representative DePasquale, Representative Tallman, Senator Waugh, Michael Hady with Memorial Hospital, Representative Grove, Senator Smucker: front row: Janelle Black with the Chamber, Representative Miller, Congressman Platts, Dr. Joel Rodney, Evan Forrester from Fox 43, Senator Vance, Representative Saylor, Bob Jensenius with the Chamber

Pennsylvania - A Right to Work State?
Collectively referred to as the "Pennsylvania Open Workforce Initiative," a legislative package of bills, if enacted, would make PA the 23rd right to work state in the country. Being a "right to work" state would mean that employees would not have to join the union in order to work at a business with a union.

The "Pennsylvania Open Workforce Initiative" is contained in House Bill 50, House Bill 51, House Bill 52 and House Bill 53. A brief description from the Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus press release for each of the bills follows.
To read the entire press release, click here.

• Freedom of Employment Act (House Bill 50)
  Under this free-standing Right to Work legislation, employment will no longer be conditional upon membership or non-membership in a union, nor upon payment or non-payment of money to a labor organization. The Freedom of Employment Act will also relieve the collective bargaining unit from providing benefits that union members enjoy, such as grievance filing and support, and wage and benefit increases.
• Repeal of Act 84, School Employee "Agency Shop" Law (House Bill 51)
  This legislation would return the individual decision of whether or not to join or support a labor union to teachers and other public education employees.
• Repeal of Act 84, State Employee "Agency Shop" Law (House Bill 52)
  This legislation will amend the Administrative Code of 1929 to eliminate the authority to impose forced fees on state employees.
• Repeal of Act 15, Local Employee "Agency Shop" Law (House Bill 53)
  This Right to Work protection bill would return the individual freedom of choice to all local, municipal, county and township employees to decide for themselves which private organizations they wish to support and prevent the collection of compulsory union dues.

All bills have been referred to the House Labor Relations Committee of which Representative Will Tallman, R-193 is a member, and have been co-sponsored by Representatives Ron Miller, R-93, Stan Saylor, R-94 and Will Tallman, R-193.
The York County Chamber will continue to monitor this important package of legislation.

Thank you Mayor Brenner

Mayor John Brenner accepts the York County Chamber of Commerce Elected Official of the Year Award in 2006. Pictured from left to right are: Louis Castriota, John Brenner, Gene Dragonosky and Tom Donley.

John S. Brenner was elected the youngest Mayor of the City of York in November 2001. He was sworn-in as the 23rd Mayor in January 2002. In the summer of 2008, toward the end of his second term, Mayor Brenner announced that he would not seek reelection.

The York County Chamber of Commerce was proud to work closely with Mayor Brenner on the York Outdoor Recreation Complex which became Sovereign Bank Stadium, home of the York Revolution baseball team.
But, the baseball stadium and other new and improved high-profile attractions, such as the York Ice Arena and special events, were only part of the Brenner administration's economic development successes. Mayor Brenner approached economic development with a proactive business philosophy. Projects such as the redesign of the former Bluebird Silk Mill would not have been possible without his administration's work exempting taxes and liens thereby allowing for new investments.

Mayor Brenner's administration also strove to encourage a "walkable" culture with the development of the Stadium and surrounding areas such as "Restaurant Row", Codo and the Northwest Triangle.
Mayor Brenner's efforts to revitalize York City recognized the importance of economic development partnered with controlling crime. The Mayor's "Downtown Collaborative" initiative was launched in April 2007. Supported by the York County Chamber, the "Downtown Collaborative" has brought additional police foot and bike patrols, and three Segways throughout downtown York, providing a strong, visible safety presence.
While the York County Chamber looks forward to working with Mayor Elect Kim Bracey, we would like to take a moment to thank Mayor Brenner for his years of dedicated service to the business community and to the City of York.

Considering a Run for Office?
Attend the PA Chamber's Bi-Partisan Candidate School to learn more!
The Pennsylvania Chamber's Candidate School is a unique opportunity for individuals who are considering running for state or local public office to learn more about campaigning and how to get started. The program includes candid conversations with former legislators and top campaign advisors who will provide information on developing your campaign strategy and message. The event is open to PA Chamber members and non-members and has a $25 registration fee. For more information, to see the agenda or to register, click here.

WSBA Radio Reminder

The York County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to remind you of our ongoing cooperation with WSBA AM 910 radio. In 2006, WSBA selected the Chamber to give monthly economic forecasts. These updates air the last Wednesday of each month at 7:40 a.m.

Tune in for the next update! 7:40 a.m. Wednesday 11/25!

Campaign for Free Enterprise

An update from Thomas Donohue, President and CEO, US Chamber of Commerce

I am excited to share with you the news of a historic Campaign for Free Enterprise that the US Chamber of Commerce is launching today.

The American Free Enterprise Dream Big campaign is one of the most important and necessary initiatives in the Chamber's nearly 100-year history. As a nation, we face major policy challenges-but none greater or more important than reviving the economy, restoring the seven million jobs lost to the current recession, and creating the 13 million more jobs that will be needed over the next decade.

A recent survey by the US Chamber found that while people support free enterprise, they do not clearly see how it benefits them as individuals. Respondents also expressed concern about the future of the free enterprise system and believe that the private sector will and should take the lead in the nation's number one challenge-job creation.

At the US Chamber, we believe that the values of individual initiative, hard work, freedom of choice, and the free exchange of trade, capital and ideas can lead America back to prosperity. Only free enterprise will create the innovation, the opportunities and the jobs our nation needs. That is why we are launching this campaign.

Here are some of the Campaign's core components and ways for you to get involved:

• National Advertising Campaign: View our innovative national advertising campaign built to inspire Americans to celebrate the role of free enterprise in meeting our nation's next great challenge-creating 20 million new jobs in the next decade. View and share the ads.
• American Free Enterprise Pledge: Sign your name to proclaim your support for, and intention to help strengthen, the free enterprise system. Sign our pledge.
• Dream Big Video Competition: Participate in the online video competition that invites Americans who personify free enterprise-business owners, startup entrepreneurs and future business owners-to tell their stories of how free enterprise allows them to pursue their dreams. Stay tuned to www.FreeEnterpriseAmerica.com for information about submitting videos.
• Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award Program: Apply or nominate a small business owner for this recognition program, held in conjunction with America's Small Business Summit, that honors successful business owners and entrepreneurs who have contributed to the vibrancy of American free enterprise. Stay tuned to www.FreeEnterpriseAmerica.com for information on submitting nominations.
• Free Enterprise Forums: Take part in a series of bipartisan community-based discussions on the role of free enterprise in job creation and innovation to help spread the free enterprise message throughout the country. Stay tuned to www.FreeEnterpriseAmerica.com for additional information about events in your area.

You have a critical role to play in this historic endeavor. We are all free enterprise, and each one of us must become involved in preserving America as the great land of opportunity.

We encourage you to get involved in these activities as often as you can. Please join us by signing the American Free Enterprise Pledge today and encourage others in your community and across the country to get involved.