The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce released it’s pro business advocacy agenda for 2011. They have outlined the issues they are taking action on as well as the issues under evaluation. Here is a summary of the agenda. [download the full report]
The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry serves as the collective voice of the business community and is committed to defining and advocating for issues of importance on behalf of our members.
The Advocacy Council, made up of a diverse representation of our membership, is the body that reviews and develops policy position statements on a broad array of issues. The issues are brought to our attention by the Board, various committees, the membership at large, or through our three-year strategic plan. As a service to our members, the advocacy department monitors the progress of the Pro-Business Agenda to keep members informed and encourage engagement.
We believe the priority areas outlined below, together with the broader Chamber services and programs, will foster a better business climate and work toward our mission of building Lancaster County into a model of prosperity for 21st Century America. Our ultimate goal is to create a vibrant environment in which businesses can thrive and, in turn, enhance the quality of life for the entire community.
We encourage our members to become familiar with our agenda and be engaged in efforts to keep our business community strong.
Taxes and Fiscal Policy
- Support fair and responsible state pension reform.
- Support comprehensive tax reform.
- Support phase-out of the Capital Stock & Franchise Tax.
- Support efforts by the government to control spending and reduce business taxes.
- Support a reduction in the Corporate Net Income Tax.
- Support the adoption of a single sales factor.
- Support the elimination of future Net Operating Loss caps.
- Oppose combined reporting (“Delaware Loophole”).
- Oppose state sales tax rate increases.
- Oppose eliminating the vendor discount.
- Support tax incentives that would lower building and construction costs to allow farmers be more competitive.
Labor
- Support eliminating and/or reforming the state and federal prevailing wage law.
- Oppose the Card Check legislation.
- Oppose legislation mandating union membership by any employee.
- Oppose government efforts to influence the private sector’s ability to freely determine compensation and benefits for employees.
- Support tort reform.
Healthcare
- Support 1099 reporting repeal.
- Encourage employers to retain health insurance benefits through incentives, not penalties.
- Encourage more Americans to buy health insurance through incentives, not penalties.
- Support reforming the medical malpractice liability insurance system.
- Support investing in health information technology, wellness programs, prevention, disease management and coordination of care.
- Support competition and choice in healthcare plans.
- Support repeal of the recent healthcare reform law.
- Support legislation limiting the civil liability of farmers involved in agri-tourism activities.
Energy
- Support the development of domestically produced energy.
- Support maximizing energy diversity and power sources that are competitive, environmentally responsible, reliable and affordable.
- Support efforts that increase the efficient use of energy.
- Support a reliable energy delivery infrastructure that exists throughout the County and region.
- Support stable, predictable and competitive energy costs for consumers.
All in all a very conservative agenda which businesses in Lancaster can get behind. [download the full report]
