The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, a voice for the community advocating for a thriving business climate, praised the recent signing of the $47.6 billion state budget package containing key items highly supportive to Delaware County.

The Chamber works with local elected officials on both sides of the aisle to make sure Delaware County’s economy is a priority.  

PA Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the budget package into law on July 11.

The package includes a $1 billion increase in K-12 funding, gap funding for mass transit, infrastructure funding, a cap on the net operating loss tax, and funding for site development to attract and retain employers. 

“On behalf of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and Membership, we want to offer congratulations to the Governor and General Assembly for reaching a budget agreement despite the current political environment and Pennsylvania being the only divided legislature in the nation,” said Trish McFarland, president of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce.  “The Delaware County Chamber would especially like to recognize our county’s legislative delegation for being receptive to the Chamber’s continued advocacy.

 “However, while we are thrilled to see several initiatives we championed included in the budget package, such as improvements to the state permitting changes to the harmful Net Operating Loss Tax, and a focus on workforce training policies, we have deep concerns over the lack of full funding for mass transit. A highly trained workforce only matters if they can get to their place of employment.” 

The state budget package is a 6 percent increase from last year’s budget, but $700 million less than Gov. Shapiro’s initial proposal in February.

It will pull $3 billion of the state’s surplus but leave approximately $10.5 billion in the state’s reserves. 

State Senate Leader Joe Pittman (R-Indiana) described the budget as being “built on two fundamental principles – honesty and empowerment.”

“It’s honest about the realities and the limitations of divided government. It’s honest about finding new ways to fund educational opportunities, helping those who provide health care and human services, and paying our commonwealth’s bills with no tricks, gimmicks, or games.” Sen. Pittman said.

“This is also a budget that empowers. It empowers parents to make decisions to benefit their children, job creators through permitting reforms and improving our state’s tax policies, law enforcement to maintain law and order, and taxpayers with $700 million more committed to our Rainy-Day Fund,” he said.

Gov. Shapiro said he was proud to sign the budget into law, with its historic investments in education and economic development, along with continuing investments in public safety and violence prevention, all while cutting costs and reducing taxes.

“Since my first day in office, I’ve been focused on getting stuff done for the good people of Pennsylvania, solving the most pressing problems we face, and bringing people together in a bipartisan manner to deliver results,” he said. “Pennsylvania is the only state in the nation with a divided legislature – and I’m proud that we came together with leaders in both Chambers and both parties to show that we can do big things together to make Pennsylvanians’ lives better.”

The final budget package does not include several items the Governor proposed in his Budget Address in February, nor does it include items the Legislature had championed as priorities, such as an increase to the minimum wage, comprehensive regulatory and permitting reform, legalization of recreational marijuana, and changes to skilled game regulations.

 Find out more details about the budget.

Businesses are invited to join the advocacy efforts of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and participate in the Chamber’s Government Affair Committee by contacting Trish McFarland.

The 130-year-old Delaware County Chamber of Commerce has stayed true to its mission to drive business forward in the Delaware County community through connection, education and advocacy. 

 Since its inception, Delaware County has seen millions of dollars in development and thousands of jobs created due to the work of the Chamber.

Today, with its home in Springfield, the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce has 1,200 members under the leadership of a long-time chamber executive, President Trish McFarland.