Legislative Updates: A Weekly Roundup of Federal, State, and Local Actions – March 19

Your Chamber advocacy team is working to share legislative updates and continue to advocate for your business in Washington, D.C., Harrisburg, and Philadelphia. We’ve created a round-up of recent activity including Key Takeaways for Your Business and a Detailed Legislative Update. This represents our best knowledge of the situation as of 9:00 a.m. on Friday, March 19, 2021.

Chamber members are invited to join weekly legislative update calls hosted by our Advocacy team to hear the latest on COVID-19 relief and recovery efforts at the federal, state, and local level as well as other legislative matters concerning our community.

To learn more about how our region is preparing for recovery, visit our Recharge & Recover PHL Information Hub:

• On Wednesday, the City Council’s Committee on Commerce & Economic Development heard important testimony from Chamber members and leaders throughout the business community, including our own Rob Wonderling, to discuss what needs to be done to improve the ease of doing business in the city.
• One of the most riveting testimonies came from Stephen Slivinski of the Arizona State University’s Center for the Study of Economic Liberty whose recent analysis ranks Philadelphia as 71st overall among the cities reviewed for the ease of doing business. The analysis provides goals for policy makers and leaders to consider as Philadelphia moves to re-opening its economy.
• As part of the new partnership with city government, the Chamber expects to be an active participant in discussions about how to spend the $1.2 billion in new federal stimulus funding to benefit workers who need jobs.

• The efforts of the Chamber and its members’ in reaching out to Council regarding the additional paid sick leave legislation has paid off. Yesterday, City Council passed a bill that will allow most city firms that already offer generous leave policies to continue to do so without adding new burdens on already struggling firms.

• Support our efforts to advance our inclusive growth agenda in City Hall by becoming a Council Connector. Find more details to get involved in the full report.
• Councilmember Maria Quinones Sanchez introduced a bill seeking to add additional funding for Council’s “New Normal” budget. Councilmember Sanchez also introduced a resolution for Council to hold hearings regarding equitable allocation of resources for Philadelphia Schools under the American Rescue Plan.
• The Committee on Commerce and Economic Development will hold a hearing to ensure the Goals for the Participation of Disadvantaged Owned Business Enterprises in City Contracts is being upheld in addition to discussing best practices and new ideas for safely reopening workspaces in the City.
• Confirmed COVID-19 cases in Philadelphia have exceeded 118,500 with 3,227 deaths.
• The Chamber will host its annual Mayoral Forum (Mar. 25) welcoming Mayor Kenney to address the regional business community in addition to hosting a virtual event with Philadelphia School District Superintendent, Dr. William Hite (Apr. 14). Read the full weekly update to learn more and register.

• Governor Tom Wolf announced the easing of some of his COVID-19 mitigation policies on businesses. For restaurants, the indoor dining capacity will be raised to 75%. Capacity for other businesses, including gyms and entertainment facilities such as theaters and casinos will be increased to 75% occupancy.
• A special election date was declared to be held on May 18, Pennsylvania’s primary election day, to replace state Sen. John Blake’s 22^nd Senatorial District seat in addition to the 48^th Senatorial District seat that has been vacant due to the death of Sen. Dave Arnold.
• The Senate Transportation Committee approved legislation to require legislative approval for the state Transportation Department’s plans to toll major bridges. The bill was prompted by a recent PennDOT announcement of plans to toll nine bridges across Pennsylvania under the P3 program to generate an estimated $1.8 billion in revenue for bridge repair work.
• The PA General Assembly Legislative Reapportionment Commission announced it is beginning its process to redraw the borders of the state’s House and Senate districts, which occurs following every decennial census.

• The White House and Congressional leaders are shifting their attention to passing a surface transportation reauthorization together or separate from a broader infrastructure stimulus package.

• The House is poised to implement a process for Members of Congress to submit up to 10 Community Funding Projects, previously called earmarks, for highway and transit projects that are consistent with state and local infrastructure plans. The projects could make up between 3-6% of the infrastructure package.
• Congressional leaders would like to create revenue to partially offset new spending by rolling back provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
• Democrats acknowledge that a bipartisan infrastructure bill may be difficult to pass. Instead, they may opt to use budget reconciliation to pass without any Republican support. At least one moderate Democrat in the Senate has said that the bill will need to be bipartisan to win his support.

• The House is expected to vote on two standalone immigration measures which would create a pathway to citizenship for migrant farmworkers and young immigrants brought to the country illegally as young children. The bills are expected to pass the chamber with bipartisan support but will likely face roadblocks in the Senate.

• A key to Greater Philadelphia’s global competitiveness depends on our ability to attract and retain highly-skilled foreign-born graduates, workers, and entrepreneurs. The Chamber and its CEO Council are urging our congressional delegation to advance high-skilled immigration policies which enjoy wide support from both sides of the aisle.

More Evidence Why Real Reform is Needed to Cut Number of Unemployed in Philadelphia

On Wednesday this week, the City Council’s Committee on Commerce & Economic Development, Chaired by Councilman Mark Squilla (1st Dist.) held another in its series of looks at what needs to be done to improve the ease of doing business in the city. These hearings, which grew out of the Chamber of Commerce’s push to make it easier to do business in Philadelphia, focused on a Resolution on the topic introduced by Councilman Derek Green (At-Large), are a key part of our inclusive recovery agenda.

This week’s hearing, which you can watch on City Council’s Youtube page, heard important testimony from business leaders like our own Rob Wonderling as well as Regina Hairston, the President & CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ & DE, Nick Shenoy, President of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce and Kindra Mohr, a Government Relations Manager at Sustainable Business Network. The panel also heard about the first-hand experience business owners from across the city have had working to open and grow a business in Philadelphia.

But the most riveting testimony came from Stephen Slivinski, Senior Research Fellow from Arizona State University’s Center for the Study of Economic Liberty. The research team ASU, found that Philadelphia ranks 71st overall among the cities reviewed for the ease of doing business. Philadelphia trails smaller cities like Sioux Falls and Columbus and big cities like Dallas and Chicago. We even lag regional competitors like Baltimore and Washington, DC.

The ASU analysis provides an objective measure and goals for policy makers and leaders to consider as Philadelphia moves to reopen its economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Philadelphia was the poorest big city in the country prior to the pandemic and tens of thousands have either seen their jobs eliminated or scaled back over the last year. There will have to be thoughtful, major changes made to improve how the city supports business growth and the jobs those companies provide city residents.

Which raises the question of whether the city will seize the opportunity the $1.2 billion in new federal stimulus funding headed its way presents to reform our business climate and put people to work. From tax credits for growing microbusinesses to improving how applications are handled to improved, there are many specific, tangible and immediate things that can done to make Philadelphia a better place to start and grow a business. The Chamber of Commerce, as part of its efforts to create a new partnership with city government, expects to be an active participant in discussions about how to spend this new funding to benefit workers who need jobs.

We are hopeful about having a real impact in these discussions as the new partnership is already paying off.  In recent discussions with Council leaders, we were able to negotiate important improvements to legislation mandating additional paid sick leave during the pandemic.

While we didn’t get every change we sought – as one would expect with negotiations – the bill that passed today will allow most city firms that already offer generous leave policies to continue to do so, without adding new burdens on already struggling firms.

Our efforts are paying off – and we need to keep on working to make additional critical changes the new ASU report revealed are needed.

Become a Council Connector

Council Connectors help advance our inclusive growth agenda through informal engagement with members of City Council. Such interaction would include meetings, phone calls or emails to members of Council to discuss our share priorities. These direct relationships with members of Council and other decision makers are critical to making progress on Philadelphia’s biggest challenges. To sign up to become a Council Connector please email Darrell Davis at ddavis@chamberphl.com.

Updates from City Council

Bills Introduced 

• Councilmember Maria Quinones Sanchez introduced a bill seeking to add additional funding for Council’s “New Normal” budget. Councilmember Sanchez also introduced a resolution for Council to hold hearings regarding equitable allocation of resources for Philadelphia schools under the American Rescue Plan.

Bills Voted to Pass

• Bill 210122-A – Amending Section 9-4116 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Public Health Emergency Leave,” to establish leave time for public health emergencies, and modify existing provisions concerning the paid sick leave.
• Bill 210160 – Authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2021 from the General Fund to support Arts & Culture funding.

Upcoming City Council Hearings

• Committee on Commerce and Economic Development
  Wednesday, March 25, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.
  • Bill 200382 – Amending Chapter 17‑500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Goals for the Participation of Disadvantaged Owned Business Enterprises in City Contracts,” by adding a new requirement that City Council be notified of certain changes to existing City contracts valued over $1 million to ensure expansions adhere to participation goals and standards.
  • Resolution 210193 – Resolution authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings examining best practices and new ideas for safely reopening the City of Philadelphia’s workspaces including office buildings, City buildings, and other high‑risk congregate settings not currently operating at pre‑pandemic capacity

View the status of pending bills and resolutions »

View upcoming confirmed City Council meeting dates and agendas »

COVID-19 Case Data

Yesterday, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health reported the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Philadelphia has reached 118,558. The number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia has reached 3,227. Of the total deaths, 1,173 (36%) were long-term care facility residents.

Upcoming Local Advocacy Programs

• March 25  – [Virtual] Mayoral Forum: A Look at Commerce, Public Safety, Health & the State of the City » Sponsored by: Comcast
• April 14 – [Virtual] City Hall Connectors: Dr. William Hite » Sponsored by: Citizens

Questions? Contact William Carter (wcarter@chamberphl.com) for more information about local legislative affairs.

PA Governor Announces Easing of COVID-19 Restrictions on Businesses Effective April 4

On Monday, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced the easing of some of his COVID-19 mitigation policies on businesses. For restaurants, the indoor dining capacity will be raised to 75 percent. Capacity for other businesses, including gyms and entertainment facilities, such as theaters and casinos, will be increased to 75 percent occupancy.

Special Election Date Announced

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman on Monday announced he signed a writ declaring a special election will be held on May 18 – Pennsylvania’s primary election day – to replace state Sen. John Blake, D-Lackawanna, who resigned from his 22nd Senatorial District seat. On March 8, Blake started his new job with Pennsylvania Democratic U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright.

The 48th Senatorial District seat, vacant due to the January death of Sen. Dave Arnold, R-Lebanon, was also set for May 18 election day.

PA Senate Committee Okays P3 Bill

The Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday approved legislation to require legislative approval for the state Transportation Department’s plans to toll major bridges. The committee voted 9-4 on a party line vote (Republicans in support, Democrats opposing) to approve Senate Bill 382 requiring legislative approval of projects involving a user fee under the Public-Private Transportation Partnership Program (P3). The bill was prompted by a recent PennDOT announcement of plans to toll nine bridges across Pennsylvania under the P3 program to generate an estimated $1.8 billion in revenue for bridge repair work.

Legislative Reapportionment Commission Announced

On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania General Assembly Legislative Reapportionment Commission announced it is beginning its process to redraw the borders of the state’s House and Senate districts, which occurs following every decennial census.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) and Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R-Centre) announced the appointments of Sen. Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) and Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin), majority leaders of the Senate and House respectively; and Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Rep. Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia), minority leaders of the Senate and House respectively, to the commission as is required by the Pennsylvania Constitution.

The Pennsylvania Constitution requires that following the federal decennial census, the commission shall be constituted for the purpose of reapportioning the Commonwealth. The commission is made up of majority and minority leaders of both the Senate and the House, and then a fifth member to serve as a chair is selected by the commission members.

The Legislative Reapportionment Commission works strictly on legislative districts for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Congressional redistricting is completed in a separate process.

The U.S. Census Bureau recently announced final results may not be available until the fall of 2021.

Questions? Contact Liz Ferry (lferry@chamberphl.com) for more information about state legislative affairs.

Infrastructure Bill Next

After passage of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, the White House and Congressional leaders are shifting their attention to passing a surface transportation reauthorization together or separate from a broader infrastructure stimulus package. In addition, the House is poised to implement a process for Members of Congress to submit up to 10 project requests no later than April 14, 2021 for highway and transit projects that are consistent with state and local infrastructure plans. These Community Funding Projects, or earmarks as they were once called, could make up between 3 percent and 6 percent of the infrastructure package.

There are significant challenges to passage of these infrastructure investments. Congressional leaders have said that they would like to create revenue to partially offset new spending which could be paid for by rolling back provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the Trump tax plan. Democrat leaders are acknowledging also that a bipartisan infrastructure bill may be difficult to pass through regular order with enough Republican support, especially at the size and scale that Democrats have promised with attention given to climate change.

Instead, Democrats may opt to use budget reconciliation which would allow them to pass infrastructure investments without any Republican support, as they successfully did with the American Rescue Plan. However, the maneuver under Senate rules precludes Democrats from implementing any policy changes as it relates to major infrastructure investment. At least one moderate Democrat in the Senate has said that the bill will need to be bipartisan to win his support.

House Votes on Immigration

The House is expected to vote on two standalone immigration measures which would create a pathway to citizenship for migrant farmworkers and young immigrants brought to the country illegally as young children. The bills are expected to pass the chamber with bipartisan support but will likely face roadblocks in the Senate. The move away from the White House’s broader and larger immigration reform package shortly after its introduction illustrates how much of a challenge Democrats face to pass immigration policy in the evenly divided Senate.

The Chamber and its regional CEO Council for Growth believe that a key part to of our global competitiveness depends on our ability to attract and retain highly-skilled foreign-born graduates, workers, and entrepreneurs.  As congressional leaders advance a piecemeal approach to advance narrower and less partisan reforms, we are urging our congressional delegation to advance high-skilled immigration policies which enjoy wide support from both sides of the aisle, including:

• Raising the cap on the annual number of H-1B visas available for high-skilled non-immigrant workers;
• Increasing the availability of permanent resident visas for STEM graduates and workers;
• Creating new visas for immigrant entrepreneurs that can secure financing and launch businesses in the U.S.;
• Eliminating country-specific caps for employment-based visas, which do not account for variations in population, advanced degree graduates, and other criteria that differs greatly between countries; and
• Streamlining the process to obtain and maintain student visas and work permits.

Questions? Contact Anselm Sauter (asauter@chamberphl.com) for more information about federal legislative affairs.

The constantly changing nature of this public health crisis requires continued engagement with public policy developments. We invite you to reach out to our advocacy team directly with your questions: 

• Anselm Sauter, Federal Affairs – asauter@chamberphl.com 
• Liz Ferry, State Affairs – lferry@chamberphl.com 
• William Carter, Local Affairs – wcarter@chamberphl.com 

Chamber members are invited to join weekly legislative update calls hosted by our Advocacy team to hear the latest on COVID-19 relief and recovery efforts at the federal, state, and local level as well as other legislative matters concerning our community.

To learn more about how our region is preparing for recovery, visit our Recharge & Recover PHL Information Hub: