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Agenda & Positions

Education and Workforce
As we inch closer to full employment, we must plan to equip our labor force with skilled professionals and ensure the attractiveness of our state as not only as a place to do business, but where individuals feel confident in residing in. Executing a well thought out plan will ensure that our county is well positioned to address the growing demand for labor and incorporate all residents into the workforce. Examples are:

  • Support for community and technical colleges funding and expansion of adult education
  • Pre-K and early learning accessibility
  • Bridging communications among educational institutions and employers in key industries
  • Greater access to apprenticeships
  • Calling for legislative action on the Clean Slate Act, Fairness Act, and Right to Work
Economic Development

The YCEA supports the funding of economic development programs that can have a social and economic impact to our county. Economic development projects must be promoted, developed and funded throughout the county. When polled, YCEA member organizations overwhelmingly supported both city as well as rural economic development actions that benefit all regions of the county. The YCEA will continue to support:

  • Support actions to increase Pennsylvania’s competitive environment and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
  • Protection of industries and support programs to encourage growth
  • Protection of Creative Financing Tools such as LERTA, NAP, TIF, NMTC, and HTC
  • Infrastructure development and efficient systems for 21st century needs
Operation of Government
The government both on the state and federal level is hindered by operational constraints. Taxes, pensions, regulations, and budgets are long debated. The YCEA will continue to engage our elected officials on government expenses and revenue sources to ease operation and efficiency by:

  • Calling for streamlined steps toward solutions on taxes, pensions, regulations, and budgets.
  • Calling for thoughtful and thrifty use of state and local tax revenues for prudent expenditures that promote business as well as employee prosperity.
Health Care

YCEA membership has expressed a deepening concern over the escalating cost of healthcare, with rates approaching the unmanageable. Rising health care costs are making it increasingly difficult for employers to recruit, retain and offer modest merit increases to remain relevant in a competitive landscape. The YCEA will continue to monitor, review appropriate options, report and advocate for:

  • Viable program solutions that account for affordability, quality, private coverage, and equal tax benefits for individual and employer-provided insurance plans.
  • Support efforts that allow for stability and predictability for employers in planning for provided coverage.
  • Support policies that positively impact medical education and proven wellness and disease management programs in the workplace.

Business Advocacy Positions

Help shape our advocacy focus and stay current with YCEA’s agenda and positions. The Advocacy Committee has endorsed proactive stands on important issues including:
  • Immigration Reform
  • Labor & Workforce Issues
  • Sustainable Third Class Cities
  • Binding Arbitration
  • Economic Development
  • Revenue Enhancement
  • Tax Policy
  • Transportation
  • Education
  • Health Care
  • Hotel Tax

Resolutions and Stances

The Coalition for Sustainable Communities

Pennsylvania has 53 cities of the Third Class, many of which serve as the economic hub of their regions. Cities of the Third Class form a vital foundation for Pennsylvania of infrastructure, commerce, innovation and community with all of its opportunities and challenges. They also provide the location for many regional and professional jobs that have higher income than that of the city residents. But as important as third class cities are, almost all are struggling with structural deficits. The problems of PA cities definitely affect adjoining municipalities in their metro region. As cities fall below a certain tipping point, it becomes impossible for them to grow themselves out of their decay. In an effort to find solutions, a Coalition for Sustainable Communities alliance was formed to bring together Chambers with a special interest in Third Class Cities.

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