Legislative Updates: A Weekly Roundup of Federal, State, and Local Actions – August 18

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 Thursday, August 18, 2022.

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. The next call will take place on Friday, September 9, 2022.

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

Mayoral Race 2023
Philadelphia City Councilmember Allan Domb resigned on Monday, August 15, 2022, and said he is considering running for mayor, the first major step by a contender toward making a bid in 2023. Councilmember Domb is the first elected official to resign, citing an expected mayoral run.

Philadelphia Department of Commerce Hires Night Time Economy Director
The city’s Department of Commerce hired Raheem Manning on July 21, 2022, as the city’s Night Time Economy Director, a newly created role. Manning, a Philadelphia-based professional, has years of experience in entrepreneurship, civic engagement, marketing, advertising, and arts and culture advocacy. Manning will lead public engagement efforts to develop a strategic governance plan and advocate for policies that support the city’s attraction and retention of companies within its night time economy.

African American Museum Moving to Benjamin Franklin Parkway
The African American Museum in Philadelphia, located at 7^th and Arch Streets since 1976, announced Tuesday, August 9, 2022, that it’s relocating to the former Family County Building at 1801 Vine Street, putting the museum within walking distance to Philadelphia’s Museum Mile along the Parkway.

City Council Stated Meeting
City Council is in recess until Thursday, September 15, 2022.

Join the Chamber on Monday, September 19, 2022, for our virtual City Hall Connectors: Night Time Economy Director Raheem Manning.

PA Joint State Government Committee Issues Broadband Report
A new report by the Pennsylvania Joint State Government Commission, authorized under a Senate resolution passed in 2019, stated that legislators should consider new revenue sources to support broadband development to close the digital divide in Pennsylvania after federal funding runs out.

PA House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Opposes Tighter Methane Limits on Drilling
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee passed a disapproval resolution regarding tighter methane limits for unconventional drilling. The committee voted to send a resolution to the full House objecting to new methane emission regulations for the unconventional oil and gas industry.

PA DOH to Address Public Health Worker Shortage
The state Department of Health (PADOH) intends to use an emergency contract to help determine how to spend federal dollars geared toward tackling public health worker shortages. The state DOH is seeking to use an emergency procurement to pay a contractor $1.7 million to help determine how to spend $66.6 million in American Rescue Plan funding aimed at helping states tackle health care staff shortages. The state has until the end of next June to spend the money.

Congress adjourned last week to begin its August legislative recess following passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS and Science Act. Lawmakers are not expected to return to Capitol Hill until after Labor Day.

CHIPS and Science Act Signed into Law
Last week, the President signed the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 into law, legislation authorizing more than $130 billion in new funding for semiconductor production and basic scientific research. Although the bill took several iterations over the course of over a year, the Chamber successfully advocated for the inclusion of key funding provisions that would invest in scientific research and innovation hubs.

The new law authorizes $52.7 billion in subsidies for semiconductor research, production, and development. It also authorizes $36 billion over baseline funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support the establishment of a Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships as well as increased basic scientific research and workforce development.

Inflation Reduction Act Signed into Law
This week, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, which represents a slimmed-down version of the Democrats’ original Build Back Better agenda. The measure was advanced through a legislative maneuver called budget reconciliation, which did not require any Republican support for passage.

The Inflation Reduction Act aims to generate $737 billion in new revenues through a 15% Corporate Minimum Tax, a 1% fee on stock buybacks, enhanced IRS tax enforcement, and prescription drug pricing reform.

The Chamber Needs Your Support to Bring ARPA-H to Greater Philadelphia
The Chamber seeks your help to keep the momentum behind the effort to make Greater Philadelphia the home of the newly created Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H).

ARPA-H was established to invest in the development of therapies and treatments that will drive massive breakthroughs in health care. This area of focus aligns perfectly with our region’s specialized strengths in several of the fastest-growing subsectors of the health care and life sciences industry, particularly cell & gene therapy and gene editing.

Our region needs your voice. Please add your name to our growing list of regional leaders that support locating ARPA-H in Greater Philadelphia. We will continue to provide supporters with periodic updates that track the development of this opportunity and our progress.

Mayoral Race 2023
Philadelphia City Councilmember Allan Domb resigned on Monday, August 15, 2022, and said he is considering running for mayor, the first major step by a contender toward making a bid in 2023. Councilmember Domb is the first elected official to resign, citing an expected mayoral run. The city charter requires city officeholders quit their jobs to seek another office.

Domb’s resignation marks the start of the mayoral campaign to succeed term-limited Mayor Jim Kenney, who leaves office in January 2024. No one has formally declared their candidacy, but others have said they’re considering a run for the mayor’s office, including City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart; Councilmembers Cherelle Parker, Derek Green, Helen Gym, and María Quiñones-Sánchez. All would be subject to the “resign to run” rule.

Philadelphia Department of Commerce Hires Night Time Economy Director
The city’s Department of Commerce hired Raheem Manning on July 21, 2022, as the City’s Night Time Economy Director, a newly created role. Manning, a Philadelphia-based professional, has years of experience in entrepreneurship, civic engagement, marketing, advertising, and arts and culture advocacy. Manning will lead public engagement efforts to develop a strategic governance plan and advocate for policies that support the city’s attraction and retention of companies within its night time economy.

Philadelphia’s Night Time Economy Director role is an implemented recommendation from the Arts and Culture Task Force. The Mayor’s Budget supports the funding for this position. Manning serves with the Philadelphia Commerce Department, Office of Business Development & Workforce Solutions, effective July 11, 2022.

Previously, Manning served as the Co-Chair of the City’s Arts and Culture Task Force for two fiscal years. During his time, Manning coordinated with city leadership and legislators to advocate for effective changes that strengthened Philadelphia’s night time economy. Manning conducted community-based research with stakeholders to prepare recommendations that support Philadelphia’s arts, culture, and nightlife sectors.

African American Museum Moving to Benjamin Franklin Parkway
The African American Museum in Philadelphia, located at 7^th and Arch Streets since 1976, announced Tuesday, August 9, 2022, that it’s relocating to the former Family County Building at 1801 Vine Street, putting the museum within walking distance to Philadelphia’s Museum Mile along the Parkway.

The engagement initiative is part of a long-term plan to transform the area from Logan Circle to the art museum into a more welcoming, “people-centric” space. The historic Family Court Building holds 250,000 square feet, and the African American Museum plans to occupy 50,000 square feet, tripling the space it has now to contend with similar museums in other major metros, like Chicago.

The new location, and the additional space, are also expected to grow museum attendance, which currently hosts 80,000 visitors per year. The new space has not been designed, but plans include a theater, cafe, and exhibit space dedicated to telling the stories of notable Black Philadelphians.

Officials expect the redevelopment project to take four to five years to complete, with The Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) overseeing the process. They recently short-listed four development teams to submit proposals for the site, which are expected to be due by the end of the year. The cost of the redevelopment will require fundraising from the city and the winning development team. A total cost has not been determined.

City Council Stated Meeting
City Council is in recess until Thursday, September 15, 2022. 

Upcoming Local Advocacy Programs

City Hall Connectors: Night Time Economy Director Raheem Manning

• Monday, September 19, 2022 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

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

PA Joint State Government Committee Issues Broadband Report
A new report by the Pennsylvania Joint State Government Commission, authorized under a Senate resolution passed in 2019, stated that legislators should consider new revenue sources to support broadband development to close the digital divide in Pennsylvania after federal funding runs out.

Last year, Pennsylvania created the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, an independent body with the power to adopt a statewide five-year broadband plan and distribute grants to projects. Act 96 of 2021 created the authority with a six-year sunset provision.

The authority has $100 million in federal dollars for broadband development during the next five years through the federal Infrastructure and Jobs Investment Act.

Some revenue options include a share of local gambling revenue, leasing state buildings, using revenue from any severance tax on natural gas production, and a broadband tax on ISPs. The report also provides a breakdown of the status of broadband in the 67 counties.

PA House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Opposes Tighter Methane Limits on Drilling
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee passed a disapproval resolution regarding tighter methane limits for unconventional drilling. The committee voted to send a disapproval resolution to the full House objecting to new methane emission regulations for the unconventional oil and gas industry. The vote came less than two weeks after the state Independent Regulatory Review Commission ignored a request by Republican lawmakers to delay a vote on new methane emission regulations. The Wolf administration says the new regulations will cut methane emissions.

PA DOH to Address Public Health Worker Shortage
The state Department of Health (PADOH) intends to use an emergency contract to help determine how to spend federal dollars geared toward tackling public health worker shortages. The state DOH is seeking to use an emergency procurement to pay a contractor $1.7 million to help determine how to spend $66.6 million in American Rescue Plan funding aimed at helping states tackle health care staff shortages. The state has until the end of next June to spend the money.

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

Congress adjourned last week to begin its August legislative recess following passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS and Science Act. Lawmakers are not expected to return to Capitol Hill until after Labor Day.

CHIPS and Science Act Signed into Law
Last week, the President signed into law the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, legislation authorizing more than $130 billion in new funding for semiconductor production and basic scientific research. Although the bill took several iterations over the course of over a year, the Chamber successfully advocated for the inclusion of key funding provisions that would invest in scientific research and innovation hubs.

The new law authorizes $52.7 billion in subsidies for semiconductor research, production, and development. It also authorizes $36 billion over baseline funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support the establishment of a Director for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships as well as increased basic scientific research and workforce development.

The law also authorizes the U.S. Department of Commerce to invest in at least 20 consortia of state and local governments, institutes of higher education, business industry, economic development organizations, labor and workforce training organizations, and community-based organizations that would advance a plan to scale regional innovation and manufacturing sectors in defined technology areas, including biotechnology.

This is an exciting program in which the Greater Philadelphia region is well placed to compete for selection. The Regional Technology and Innovation Hub program attempts to respond to findings from a 2019 Brookings report that illustrated that the five top innovation metro areas accounted for more than 90% of the nation’s innovation-sector growth from 2005 to 2017. The report called on the federal government to establish a competitive, fair, and rigorous process for selecting the most promising potential growth centers to receive the federal investment.

Inflation Reduction Act Signed into Law
This week, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, which represents a slimmed-down version of the Democrats’ original Build Back Better agenda. The measure was advanced through a legislative maneuver called budget reconciliation, which did not require any Republican support for passage.

The Inflation Reduction Act aims to generate $737 billion in new revenues through a 15% Corporate Minimum Tax, a 1% fee on stock buybacks, enhanced IRS tax enforcement, and prescription drug pricing reform. The drug pricing reform provisions would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate with manufacturers on the price of 100 drugs over the next decade and require that drug companies issue rebates against price increases higher than inflation.

From the new revenues, $437 billion would fund several energy and climate change provisions and an extension of expiring enhanced subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. The remaining $300 billion would be put towards deficit reduction.

The Chamber successfully opposed measures in early forms of the legislation that would enact increases in the corporate tax rate as well as increased taxes on the pass-through sector.

The Chamber Needs Your Support to Bring ARPA-H to Greater Philadelphia
The Chamber seeks your help to keep the momentum behind the effort to make Greater Philadelphia the home of the newly created Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H).

ARPA-H was established to invest in the development of therapies and treatments that will drive massive breakthroughs in health care. This area of focus aligns perfectly with our region’s specialized strengths in several of the fastest-growing subsectors of the health care and life sciences industry, particularly cell & gene therapy and gene editing.

The official headquarters for ARPA-H has yet to be determined. The Chamber strongly believes ARPA-H would thrive among Greater Philadelphia’s abundance of world-class biomedical research institutions, accessible top-notch and diverse talent, and available infrastructure and real estate. To express regional interest, your Chamber recently sent a letter to Secretary Xavier Becerra at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The letter is signed by over 80 regional leaders touting Greater Philadelphia’s rank as one of the top life sciences markets in the U.S. and its deep scientific and medical ecosystem as reasons why the region stands out as the ideal location.

Our region needs your voice. Please add your name to our growing list of regional leaders that support locating ARPA-H in Greater Philadelphia. We will continue to provide supporters with periodic updates that track the development of this opportunity and our progress.

You can read more about ARPA-H and the opportunity before us in the stories below:

Philadelphia region bidding for new federal research agency headquarters
Philadelphia area seeks to attract new federal science agency HQ
Philadelphia-area business leaders launch effort to land new $1B federal agency
Greater Philadelphia Region Seeks ARPA-H Home

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. The next call will take place on Friday, September 9, 2022.

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