Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Chamber President & CEO Rob Wonderling Cites Need for a More Competitive PA Tax Climate as the Key to Business Growth and Job Creation

Posted at 4:10 PM

Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Rob Wonderling participated in a press announcement today organized by the Pennsylvania Business Council to encourage the public and private sector to work together to address the challenges of today’s economy.

Rob Wonderling released the following statement:


On behalf of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, I am pleased to be here today and to work with each of these individuals and the organizations they represent. Together, we are prepared to help lawmakers identify public policy solutions that will attract and retain businesses and jobs in the Commonwealth.

For Pennsylvania to weather the economic downturn and emerge a stronger, more vibrant Commonwealth, leaders in the public and private sectors must work together to address the challenges we face with the determination to make responsible choices, and the fortitude to move Pennsylvania ahead.

During this year’s budget deliberations, we hope to work with state decision-makers to create a more competitive business tax climate that will promote business growth and job creation. Business leaders in our region and across Pennsylvania agree that tax competitiveness is a key element to the state’s economic recovery and resurgence.

Concurrent with efforts to reduce the tax burden and the costs of doing business in Pennsylvania, we must work to trim government expenses and obligations, particularly the $3 billion pension crisis awaiting state taxpayers in 2012. This solution must include improved government efficiency and specific pension system reforms that will provide fiscal relief and ensure long-term solvency.

Sound infrastructure and a safe, reliable transportation network are also vital to a strong Pennsylvania economy. We urge lawmakers to approve new funding alternatives such as Public-Private Partnerships to spur private investment, create jobs and advance important capital projects.

And finally, the economic development priorities I have just named cannot be successful without an educated and skilled workforce. Continued investment in education is vitally important, particularly in higher education and specialized training. These are essential components of a strategy to attract and retain businesses and create jobs in Pennsylvania.