Harrisburg – More than 90 state and local chamber representatives, including the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce, gathered in Harrisburg for the 2019 Chamber Day at the State Capitol. The annual event is co-hosted by the PA Chamber of Business and Industry and the Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals during one of the busiest times of the year in the Capitol, as state elected officials work to finalize the 2019-20 budget. The event provides a forum for constructive dialogue between local chamber officers and policymakers on key issues important to the state’s business community and the best ways to improve the Commonwealth’s business climate.
The Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce sent 6 attendees including President/CEO Karen Groh, Vice President Jessica Stankovich, board members Bill Bering and Christine Horn, and Public Policy Committee members Ed Kercher and John Whitmoyer.
Groh stated, “The day was packed with updates and conversation on topics affecting every county in the Commonwealth. We walked away with valuable information and the knowledge that many people are working hard to make a difference for businesses in Pennsylvania to survive and grow.”
The program featured several panel discussions focusing on a wide range of topics, including workforce development; transportation and infrastructure in the Commonwealth; and community revitalization. Welcoming remarks were provided by Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati, R-Jefferson, and Speaker of the House Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny. Attendees received an update on the status of state budget negotiations from the Appropriations Committee Chairs from each legislative chamber: Senate Majority Chair Pat Browne, R-Lehigh, and Minority Chair Vince Hughes, D-Philadelphia; and House Majority Chair Stan Saylor, R-York, and House Minority Chair Matt Bradford, D-Montgomery. State Treasurer Joe Torsella delivered the keynote luncheon address.
In addition to the PA Chamber and the PACP, the 2019 Chamber Day at the Capitol was sponsored by the following organizations: Beaver County Chamber, Bedford County Chamber, Blair County Chamber, Central PA Chamber, Chester County Chamber, Fayette Chamber of Commerce, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, Greater West Chester Chamber, Lancaster Chamber, Lebanon Valley Chamber, Main Line Chamber, Schuylkill Chamber, Western Chester County Chamber, Westmoreland Chamber, and Wyoming County Chamber.