HARMONY – Pittsburgh Works Together joined Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff and other members of the General Assembly to discuss the region's future. Held at Steamfitters Local 449 Technology Center, numerous proposals were unveiled to help Pennsylvania recover from its COVID-19 shutdowns and come back stronger.
The legislative proposals track the recommendations contained in the Get To Work & Build It Here policy agenda released by Pittsburgh Works in June. Rep. Benninghoff called the legislative package “a road to a better ‘normal.’ ”
“It doesn’t matter what part of the state you live in. It doesn’t matter what your political affiliation is. We want people working,” he said.
The package of bills focuses on the following key areas:
Re-shore to Restore, which was sponsored by Rep. Josh Kail and would establish incentives for businesses that build manufacturing facilities. It also aims to support businesses that pay prevailing wages and manufacture critical supplies.
Competing on a Global Stage, sponsored by Rep. Natalie Mihalek, aims to reform Pennsylvania’s business tax code to make it more competitive, encouraging investment and job creation.
Jobs of the Future, sponsored by Rep. Mike Reese, would establish a select committee to identify opportunities for the development of new industries in Pennsylvania and make recommendations on how to take advantage of those opportunities.
Commonsense COVID Immunity, sponsored by Rep. Torren Ecker, would establish civil liability rules for suppliers, health care providers and employers that reflect the realities of our current unprecedented situation.
DEP Permit Predictability, sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Fritz, would ensure that permitting decisions are made promptly and reliably.
“The legislation that you will be pushing forward, it goes right in line with what Pittsburgh Works Together is doing,” said Tom Melcher, business manager of the Pittsburgh Regional Building Trades Council and co-chair of Pittsburgh Works Together.
“The building trades support it 100% and I hope our Democratic friends also support it. It’s a no-brainer.”
