Legislative Updates: A Weekly Roundup of Federal, State, and Local Actions – January 13

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 January 13, 2023.

Chamber members are invited to join weekly legislative update calls hosted by our Advocacy team to hear the latest legislative matters concerning our community.

City Council will be in recess for one more week. The next City Council Stated Meeting will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2023.  

 2023 Mayoral Race 
There are ten declared Democratic candidates running to be the next Mayor of Philadelphia .  

Important Dates:   

• Candidates' End-Of-Year (2022) Finance Reports are due on Tuesday, January 31, 2023  
• Tuesday, February 14, 2023, is the first day to circulate nomination petitions  
• Tuesday, March 14, 2023, is the last day to file objections to nominating petitions  
• Wednesday, March 22, 2023, is the last day to withdraw from the race  

Given the continued increase in retail theft and crime, the Chamber recently highlighted The Commerce Department's Business Security Camera Program, which encourages and incentivizes businesses to install external cameras on commercial properties. For more information, please visit Business Security Camera Program.  

On Wednesday, January 11, 2023, the Mayor's Office released a report, Equity and Opportunity for All: Moving Philadelphia Forward, that outlines the Kenney Administration's core priorities for 2023, the final year of Kenney's second term.   

Join the Chamber on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, for our virtual City Hall Connectors: Councilmember Michael Driscoll program, on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, for our in-person Mayoral Luncheon, and on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, for our virtual City Hall Connectors: Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington.  

Senate Passes Ballot Questions
This week, the state Senate passed a bundle of potential constitutional amendment ballot questions in Senate Bill 1, including language to allow survivors of childhood sex abuse to file lawsuits, a measure regarding voter ID, and increased regulatory review powers for the General Assembly.  

Governor-Elect Shapiro Announces Cabinet Secretaries
Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro has named the following individuals to his cabinet thus far: 

• Khalid Mumin, Education Secretary 
• Nancy Walker, Labor and Industry Secretary 
• Neil Weaver, Secretary of Administration 
• Cindy Dunn, Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary 
• Russell Reading, Agriculture Secretary 
• Rich Negrin, Environmental Protection Secretary 
• Jason Kavulich, Aging Secretary 
• Debra Bogen, Health Secretary 
• Val Arkoosh, Human Services Secretary 
• Rick Siger, Community and Economic Development Secretary 
• Sarah Hammer, Banking and Securities Secretary 
• Pat Browne, Revenue Secretary 
• Mike Carroll, PennDOT Secretary 
• Al Schmidt, Department of State Secretary 

PA House Cancels Session
On Monday, January 9, 2023, State Rep. Mark Rozzi canceled the session for the rest of the week after failing to reach a deal on a proposed constitutional amendment to provide a two-year window for victims of child sex abuse to file outdated lawsuits.  

PA Senate Democrats announce committee chairs for 2023-24 legislative session
This week, State Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) announced the Democratic chairs of the Senate’s standing committees for the 2023-24 legislative session. See the full list in the full legislative update. 

Senate Republicans Move Gas Tax Legislation
On Monday, January 9, 2023, the Senate Transportation Committee voted on Senate Bill 35, which would freeze automatic gas tax increases that have been tied to the price of gas for the last decade. 

The committee also voted on Senate Bill 121 to cap the amount that can be transferred out of the Motor License Fund for state police.  

Federal
Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania is a new addition to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, joining Representatives Brendan Boyle and Dwight Evans as representatives from the Greater Philadelphia regional delegation.  

On Tuesday, January 10, 2023, the Chamber testified in support of reductions to the EPA’s nationwide Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume mandates.   

Join the Chamber Friday, March 17, 2023, for our in-person Congressional Staff Reception.  

City Council is in recess for one more week. The next City Council Stated Meeting will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2023.  

2023 Mayoral Race
There are ten declared Democratic candidates running to be the next Mayor of Philadelphia. Current candidates include:  

• Pastor Warren Bloom, Sr.  
• State Representative Amen Brown  
• Supermarket Magnate Jeff Brown  
• Retired Municipal Court Judge James DeLeon  
• Former Councilmember Allan Domb  
• Former Councilmember Derek Green 
• Former Councilmember Helen Gym  
• Former Councilmember Cherelle Parker  
• Former City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart  
• Former Councilmember Maria Quiñones Sánchez  

It is rumored that City Councilmember David Oh intends to resign from City Council soon and throw his hat in the ring. If he declares his candidacy, Councilmember Oh will be the first Republican candidate in the race.   

It is important to note that not all the declared candidates will ultimately make it to the Tuesday, May 16, 2023, primary. Fundraising totals, nomination petitions, and subsequent challenges to those petitions will all factor into who is still in the race by mid-March.    

Important Dates:   

• Candidate End-Of-Year (2022) Finance Reports are due on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. The Inquirer reported some early information here. 
• Tuesday, February 14, 2023, is the first day to circulate nomination petitions  
• Tuesday, March 14, 2023, is the last day to file objections to nominating petitions  
• Wednesday, March 22, 2023, is the last day to withdraw from the race  

Odds and Ends 
Given the continued increase in retail theft and crime, the Chamber recently highlighted The Commerce Department's Business Security Camera Program, which encourages and incentivizes businesses to install external cameras on commercial properties. The program seeks to increase safety for shoppers, residents, and employees. Participants can receive a percentage of the total eligible costs and up to $3,000 for a single commercial property. Recently, and per the request of City Council, the coverage of eligible costs was increased from 50% to 75%, which is being funded with dollars from the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative. Businesses that use the program must register their cameras with the Philadelphia Police Department. This allows the police to contact the business to view footage in case of a crime. For more information, please visit Business Security Camera Program.  

On Wednesday, January 11, 2023, the Mayor's Office released a report, Equity and Opportunity for All: Moving Philadelphia Forward, that outlines the Kenney Administration's core priorities for 2023, the final year of Kenney's second term.   

The core priorities are:  

• Enhancing public safety;  
• Increasing the quality of life and building thriving neighborhoods across the city;  
• Supporting a strong foundation for Philadelphia youth through historic investments; and  
• Driving inclusive growth and economic opportunity to build a thriving economy that benefits everyone.  

Read more about the Mayor's core 2023 priorities here.  

Upcoming Local Advocacy Events 
City Hall Connectors: Councilmember Michael Driscoll
Tuesday, January 24, 2023 | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Virtual   

Mayoral Luncheon
Wednesday, February 8, 2023 | 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM | Philadelphia Marriott Downtown 

City Hall Connectors: Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington
Tuesday, March 7, 2023 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Virtual 

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

Senate Passes Ballot Questions
This week, the state Senate passed a bundle of potential constitutional amendment ballot questions in Senate Bill 1, including language to allow survivors of childhood sex abuse to file lawsuits, a measure regarding voter ID, and increased regulatory review powers for the General Assembly. Senate Bill 1 was approved Wednesday by a 28-20 party-line vote. While the legislation bundles the questions, voters would get to vote on each question separately.  The potential constitutional changes must be approved by the end of the month in order to get on the May ballot. 

Governor-Elect Shapiro Announces Cabinet Secretaries
Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro has named the following individuals to his cabinet thus far: 

• Khalid Mumin, Education Secretary 
• Nancy Walker, Labor and Industry Secretary 
• Neil Weaver, Secretary of Administration 
• Cindy Dunn, Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary 
• Russell Reading, Agriculture Secretary 
• Rich Negrin, Environmental Protection Secretary 
• Jason Kavulich, Aging Secretary 
• Debra Bogen, Health Secretary 
• Val Arkoosh, Human Services Secretary 
• Rick Siger, Community and Economic Development Secretary 
• Sarah Hammer, Banking and Securities Secretary 
• Pat Browne, Revenue Secretary 
• Mike Carroll, PennDOT Secretary 
• Al Schmidt, Department of State Secretary 

PA House Cancels Session
On Monday, January 9, 2023, state Rep. Mark Rozzi canceled the session for the rest of the week after failing to reach a deal on a proposed constitutional amendment to provide a two-year window for victims of child sex abuse to file outdated lawsuits. Rozzi said he would conduct himself as an independent and not caucus with either party, but questions have arisen as to whether he will change his party registration. In a letter, Rep. Jim Gregory (R) said Rozzi should resign as Speaker because he has waffled over changing party affiliation. 

PA Senate Democrats announce committee chairs for 2023-24 legislative session
This week, State Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) announced the Democratic chairs of the Senate’s standing committees for the 2023-24 legislative session. 

The Democratic chairs are as follows, listed alphabetically by committee: 

• Aging & Youth: Maria Collett 
• Agriculture & Rural Affairs: Judy Schwank 
• Appropriations: Vincent Hughes 
• Banking & Insurance: Sharif Street 
• Communications & Technology: Jimmy Dillon 
• Community, Economic, & Recreational Development: Anthony H. Williams 
• Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure: Lisa Boscola 
• Education: Lindsey Williams 
• Environmental Resources & Energy: Carolyn Comitta 
• Finance: Nick Miller 
• Games & Fisheries: Jim Brewster 
• Health & Human Services: Art Haywood 
• Intergovernmental Operations: Tina Tartgalione 
• Judiciary: Steve Santarsiero 
• Labor & Industry: John Kane 
• Law & Justice: Jim Brewster 
• Local Government: Tim Kearney 
• Rules & Executive Nominations: Jay Costa 
• State Government: Amanda Cappelletti 
• Transportation: Marty Flynn 
• Urban Affairs & Housing: Nikil Saval 
• Veteran’s Affairs & Emergency Preparedness: Katie Muth 

Senate Republicans Move Gas Tax Legislation
On Monday, January 9, 2023, the Senate Transportation Committee voted on Senate Bill 35, which would freeze automatic gas tax increases that have been tied to the price of gas for the last decade. Due to increased wholesale gas prices, the gas tax increased to 61.5 cents a gallon, a 3.5 cents-a-gallon jump. At that rate, Pennsylvania has the second highest gas tax in the country, behind only California. 

The committee also voted on Senate Bill 121 to cap the amount that can be transferred out of the Motor License Fund for state police. The legislation would bar the state from transferring more than $500 million from the Motor License fund to state police. With pressure to fix the state’s roads and bridges, lawmakers have increasingly pushed to limit how much of the gas-tax fueled fund goes to law enforcement. 

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

In the early morning hours of Saturday, January 7, 2023, Rep. Kevin McCarthy secured his position as Speaker of the House after 14 previously failed votes. All new members of the House were subsequently sworn in, leaving the Republican Party with a 4-seat majority over the Democrats.

House Rules Package
Some of the informal negotiations that McCarthy made in order to secure this position are still unknown. However, there are notable inclusions in the House rules package, which passed as McCarthy’s first legislative victory on the evening of Monday, January 9, 2023.

Among these provisions are a rule allowing for a single member of Congress to force a vote to unseat the Speaker and a guarantee of three seats on the House Rules Committee for House Freedom Caucus members. In an effort to balance the government’s deficit, another included a provision that replaces the “PAYGO” rule – which requires any legislation that contributes to the deficit to be offset by either tax increases or spending cuts – with a “CUTGO” rule, last used in the 112th Congress, that offsets mandatory spending increases only with equal or greater mandatory spending decreases.

The full section-by-section analysis of the Rules for the 118th Congress can be found here.

Committee Membership
House leadership this week made several changes to leadership and membership of several notable committees, including Ways and Means, Energy & Commerce, and Appropriations.

Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania is a new addition to the House Ways and Means Committee, joining Representatives Brendan Boyle and Dwight Evans as representatives from the Greater Philadelphia regional delegation. Jason Smith of Missouri has been selected to chair this committee and was cited as expecting to “provide some departures from a more typical pro-corporate Republican approach to policy.”

Additional committee assignments for the new Congress are still in development.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Hearing
On Tuesday, January 10, 2023, the Chamber testified in support of reductions to the EPA’s nationwide Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume mandates, urging the agency to lower its proposed ethanol blending requirements to 13.9 billion gallons for each year in the final rule compared to the current proposed requirement of slowly increasing the blending total up to 22.68 billion gallons in 2025. The EPA is legally required to make a final decision by Wednesday, June 14, 2023.

Other news
On the evening of Monday, January 9. 2023, House Republicans passed their first bill (221-210) to roll back $80 billion in IRS funding. This move is largely considered a symbolic one, as the bill is not expected to make it through the Senate and, if it does, will be vetoed by the President.

The White House released a “blueprint” to help guide national efforts to cut all greenhouse emissions from the transportation sector by 2050. Per the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the blueprint meets “goals of securing a 100% clean electrical grid by 2035 and reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.” The full statement by the DOE can be found here.

Upcoming Federal Advocacy Event
Congressional Staff Reception
Friday, March 17, 2023 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Citizens Bank Park Pass & Stow

Questions? Contact Renee Androckitis (randrockitis@chamberphl.com) for more information about federal legislative affairs.

We invite you to reach out to our advocacy team directly with your questions: 

• Renee Androckitis, Federal Affairs – randrockitis@chamberphl.com
• Anselm Sauter, State Affairs – asauter@chamberphl.com
• William Carter, Local Affairs – wcarter@chamberphl.com

Chamber members are invited to join weekly legislative update calls hosted by our Advocacy team.