Manufacturer & Business Association 2023 State Legislative Agenda

Invest in opportunities to upskill incumbent workers and train older workers for new careers.

• Increase the requirements to collect and maintain unemployment compensation.

• Incentivize those on the sidelines to transition back into the workforce by policies that encourage workforce participation, or alternatively, policies that do not discourage it.

Transportation and infrastructure — Both are tightly intertwined with workforce. It is important to have sufficient transportation and infrastructure to attract and maintain employers and facilitate the movement of goods and people. Investment is needed to maintain and repair older roads and infrastructure and to build new.

• Lack of transportation can be a barrier for potential workers. There are no statistics regarding the number of potential workers who are sidelined by inadequate transportation.

• PA’s 59 cents per gallon gas tax is the second highest in the United States. The gas tax should be reviewed and updated, and ways found to replace it with other revenue. Electric vehicles must pay their fair share.

• Transparency and accountability are required for the Motor License Fund.

Business Taxes — Lowering business taxes make Pennsylvania competitive. The recent Corporate Net Income Tax (CNIT) rate reduction shows Pennsylvania is open for business and is a competitor. The phase-down of the CNIT should be accelerated to attract investment in the state.

Energy and Regulations — Abundant, affordable, and reliable energy is the “jewellike” resource of Pennsylvania’s economy. Development depends on efficient permitting and regulation. Regulation is needed but unnecessary regulations hamper economic growth.

Health insurance — Affordable health insurance is an important benefit to attract and maintain employees. The cost of healthcare services continues to rise and drives the cost of health insurance premiums higher. The MBA supports initiatives that can reduce the cost of health care for employers and employees.

The MBA is always on the alert for legislation that is not pro-growth, projobs, and pro-business. Opposition is an essential part of our advocacy toolbox.

Minimum wage — Increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour will have a ripple effect on other employees, as others will want a salary increase. SMC Business Councils conducted a minimum wage survey in 2017 and results showed nearly 90 percent of businesses paid above minimum wage.

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) — Pennsylvania should withdraw from RGGI. The Power PA Jobs Alliance, citing the state’s conservative Independent Fiscal Office, says RGGI would not reduce carbon emissions and would cost residential consumers an estimated $800 million a year. RGGI entrance was signed into action by an executive order and bypassed a vote by the legislature.

Marijuana — There are bipartisan bills to loosen restrictions on medical marijuana and the legalization of recreational marijuana. They require keen observation. Employers are very concerned about the impact on the workplace of employees who use medical marijuana; adding recreational marijuana use to that mix bodes ill.

To view the detailed agenda, visit mbausa.org/ services-and-benefits/government-affairs/ government-advocacy/.

The Warren company is proud to have persevered for 110 years and looks forward to servicing the tri-state area for many years to come. We continue to innovate with new products, while investing in the latest equipment to provide our customers with the highest quality products at the best prices. As a family-owned business, we will be welcoming our 5th generation in the coming years.

We have grown over the years from a small downtown facility, to our current 200,000 square foot facility along with our 2 satellite locations in Oil City, PA and Falconer, NY. We carry 1000’s of pounds of metal products to meet any of your metal requirements. Choose from carbon, aluminum, stainless steel, brass, copper and more. These materials are stocked in many different shapes and sizes from your standard round bars to large structural shapes. All products are kept inside and out of the weather giving you the best quality. Our Full-service cutting department allows us to meet a variety of customer specifications. We can provide any service from the basic shearing and saw cutting to completed machined, welded and finished fabrications.

We would like to thank our customers throughout the years and look forward to gaining many new ones.

Channellock

1306 S. Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335

Phone: 800/724-3018

Website: channellock.com

Founded in 1886, Channellock, Inc. is a worldwide leader in the manufacture of high-quality pliers and assorted hand tools. Family owned and operated, Channellock, Inc. has more than 4,000 U.S. wholesale and retail customers and ships to customers in 45 countries.