HARRISBURG, Pa., March 17, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association and National Federation of Independent Business, along with numerous other business associations and local chambers of commerce, today expressed concern over the potential impact of tax increases being advanced by the Rendell administration as part of the 2004-05 state budget.
"The business community has a collective concern with the administration's policies for job retention and job creation in the Commonwealth," said Jim Welty, vice president of Legislative and Corporate Affairs for the PA Chamber. "Business continues to receive mixed signals from the administration, which speaks of the need to create more jobs in Pennsylvania, but advocates policies that are, at a minimum, counterproductive and ultimately harmful to business."
"In his budget address, the governor touted the need to revitalize Pennsylvania's manufacturing sector," he said. "Later in that same speech, however, he announced plans to slap new taxes on the struggling industry, which will further add to the cost of doing business in the state."
Welty said the governor's approach to job creation underscores the fundamental difference in philosophies between the administration and Pennsylvania's job creators about the most effective way to improve the state's business climate.
"Business needs a foundation that supports job growth," he stressed. "While the business community supports efforts to enhance the quality of life in Pennsylvania, the simple truth is that we will continue to lose our young people if there are no quality jobs.
"The regressive nature of this administration's proposals underscores how vitally important it is for all of us here today to provide input on this budget. Our message goes much further than calling upon the Governor not to tax our manufacturers. We encourage the Governor and his staff to work with the business community and to rely upon the collective expertise represented here today so that this administration has a complete grasp of the negative impact this will have on Pennsylvania," said Welty. "Right now, we have no choice but to be adamantly opposed to the tax increases contained in the Governor's budget."
Joining the Pennsylvania Chamber, PMA and NFIB at the news conference was a contingent of officials from industry associations and chambers of commerce whose member businesses would be adversely affected by the governor's proposals, including the Manufacturers' Association of Mid-Eastern Pennsylvania; SMC Business Councils; PA Chemical Industry Council; PA Forest Products Association; Associated Petroleum Industries; PA Waste Industries Association, Specialty Steel Industry of PA; PA Food Merchants Association/Convenience Store Council, Pennsylvania Biotechnology Association, Electric Power Generation Association; Harrisburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, Chester County Chamber of Commerce, Milton Chamber of Commerce, and the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce.
Additionally, the pharmaceutical industry, PA Coal Association and a number of local chambers of commerce, including the Pocono Mountains, Zelienople, Titusville, South Hills and Two Rivers Area chambers of commerce, were unable to attend the news conference, but expressed support for the effort.
The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is the state's largest broad-based business association and the fastest growing state chamber in the United States, with more than 10,000 members covering all 67 counties. More information is available on the Chamber's website at www.pachamber.org
The PA Chamber of Business and Industry logo is available at: http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=353