The Current

Lightning in a bottle

It’s hard to capture the passion many business people have about the economic climate in Pennsylvania.  But it’s there.  Boy is it there!

Gene Barr and I just returned from the Speaker’s NorthEast PA Summit on Economic Growth in the Poconos.  The summit was co-sponsored by The Chamber and attendance was around 150 business people.  And I’ve gotta say, the business people in the room were “fit to be tied,” as my mother would say.

Frustration about our UC system, workers’ compensation costs, health care costs and taxes boiled over during open discussion.  It was confirmation that The Chamber’s Agenda for Jobs is right on track.

While there was anger over the lack of movement on pro-job creation issues, it was compounded with frustration over the government’s focus on spending. Once it became apparent that much of the attention this year is on the state’s medical assistance programs, many expressed anger over the lack of focus on getting people off of state programs. 

Simple questions were raised such as why are we paying taxes to cover Viagra and cosmetic surgery?  Why does our system reward many who are taking advantage of the system and punish the working taxpayers, whether individuals or businesses? 

In short, why doesn’t government focus on creating a climate that employs people in good jobs, rather than attending to the crisis du jour which usually costs us more money?

Hey, don’t criticize me!  I’m just relaying the concerns that business people raised.  Although, I find it hard to argue with them.

For advocacy purposes, how do we capture the passion of the business people from all over our state?  Most business organizations struggle with harnessing this energy and directing it toward elected officials.  Unions do it.  Trial lawyers do it.  But business is almost complacent.  And complacency is the true enemy.

When government isn’t hearing a hue and cry from business, it takes us for granted.  And we’re being taken for granted.

At the direction of business, The Chamber has embarked on an aggressive campaign to create a better climate for job creation, but we need the active involvement and passion of business people to accomplish the mission.  We need YOU to be involved in the fight for a better business climate.  We need YOU to take the fight to Harrisburg.  We need to capture the passion that was displayed in the Poconos and the passion I see all around the state when I speak to local chambers.

It’s time to capture the lightning in a bottle.  Without it, we’re without power.

There’s no “I” in team

The Chamber has many hard-working professionals on staff.  The lobbying team that I work with is no different.  When not in the office, they’re either traveling across the Commonwealth on the “speaker’s tour” or they’re on the hill, working late hours when session or fundraisers dictate.  They constantly abuse me for my Lenin-like looks, so here’s my opportunity to tell you something about them.

I’ll start with my cohort-in-crime, Gene Barr.  GB not only shares all the department responsibilities with me, but he oversees our political activities and grass roots efforts.  Like me, he is involved with most of the major issues in which The Chamber is engaged.  He also is our environmental guru.  A little known fact is that Gene has starred in such major motion pictures as Gettysburg and Gods and Generals.  O.k., he didn’t star in them, but if you were to look at the cutting room floor, you’d see him as one of the dead union soldiers.

Now for the rest of our staff – the ones who actually do the work.  Brian Kelly lobbies health care and labor issues.  If not on the hill, BK is either fishing, cleaning something (his car, boat, pencil drawer, etc.), or he’s in the hospital.  For anyone interested, we have a running pool as to what his next ailment will be since he tends to get sick at either end of session or budget time.   

Fellow Parrothead Stephanie Larkin handles our education and workforce issues.  She also manages the day-to-day operations of ChamberPac.  If Stepha isn’t rolling her eyes at us, she’s probably donned in leather, riding her Hog around the country.

Gretchen Ramsey covers transportation issues and coordinates our special events.  She’s also responsible for the work that we do with local chambers across the Commonwealth.  A hint about dealing with Gretch – don’t give her caffeine!

Finally, Sharon Roth has returned to our department to help with the environmental regulations and issues.  When not on the hill, Sharon’s visiting members as part of The Chamber’s retention efforts.  She’s also a great goalie -- the best I’ve seen at picking balls out of the back of the net.  (That’s o.k., because it’s usually her own teammates that are scoring on her.)

That rounds out The Chamber’s lobbying team.  It’s a hardworking crew, and I’m fortunate to call them my friends (even if they aren’t all Parrotheads).

Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore

I need to respond to the administration’s ongoing rhetoric regarding their business tax proposal. 

And go easy on my movie reference – those who know me will tell you it beats the hell out of hearing me sing show tunes.  But do indulge me for a moment…. 

If Toto pulled back the curtain on The Great and All Powerful Oz, here’s the truth that would be revealed about their business tax proposal:

First, while the administration hides behind the 2004 tax reform commission, in reality, their proposal violates the commission’s clear directives. Even The Scarecrow has the brains to distinguish the differences if he read the Commission’s report. 

Second, if the state adopts the proposed tax-reporting scheme, called mandatory unitary combined reporting (I call it MUC because, let’s be honest, that’s what it is), Pennsylvania would be crippled for economic development purposes.  Think of MUC as those damn Flying Monkeys; picking up taxes from one business (or poppy field) and shifting them elsewhere, creating winners and losers.

Third, even if positive aspects of the administration’s proposal were adopted, companies wouldn’t see relief until 2007, at the earliest.  Look, Pennsylvania needs to take a hint from The Cowardly Lion and find the c-c-c-courage to adopt changes that will help create jobs today.

Finally, how can this administration take credit for the capital stock and franchise tax (CSFT) phase-out?  The phase-out was enacted by the 2000 General Assembly and signed into law by a previous governor.  Wanna know how I know this?? The Chamber helped draft the bill. The fact is that the phase-out is already in law.  The only connection this administration has to the CSFT is that it successfully advocated RAISING the tax in 2003.  Come on, even The Tin Man has the heart to give credit where the credit is due.

Now, we’ve all seen the movie and know that The Wizard of Oz turns out to be a good guy. Everyone lives happily ever –after. I actually believe this Governor means well, too.  He simply needs better direction when it comes to economic policy.

Chamber members collectively agree that government needs to stop dictating and start listening to the professional job creators as to what it takes to make Pennsylvania economically competitive.

So, will somebody over there please don the ruby slippers and click their heels three times…

To blog or not to blog, that was the question

Since my first blog, it’s no surprise that my friends and colleagues in Harrisburg have made it clear to me that they now have a target other than the Governor’s eating habits, the Senate’s lack of concept of time (we affectionately call it Senate time) and the House’s splintering of caucuses (there’s the Irish caucus, the Italian caucus, the Black caucus, the Commonwealth caucus, the History caucus, the Iowa caucus… ok, no Iowa caucus, but you get the idea…).  But that’s o.k.  Keep up the jabs… I have the blog and the attention of many.

Threats aside, concerns have been raised about whether I’ll “bite the hand that feeds me,” meaning will I attack those who I rely on to address The Chamber’s issues?  Not to worry, I do have the ability to use judgment (leaving my 80’s feathered haircut and all those college parties aside) – although when the hand that feeds you sometimes gives you table scraps, it can be hard to hold back.  Also, I am fortunate to call many in this town my friends, and I plan to spare them from embarrassment (unless absolutely warranted).

Some are concerned that writing this may hurt my credibility (including me). Upon reflection, however, I don’t have much to lose in the first place.  In fact, all you have to do is read political publications written by anonymous authors or out-of-towners to see who the Harrisburg movers and shakers are.  These tabloids are the true measures of effectiveness in Harrisburg politics.  Didn’t you see Men in Black?

Seriously, though.  In this blog, you’ll find humor and you’ll find reflections on issues that impact business.  If you’re a block-head, come back again for the serious topics.  If you’re a goof-off, come back for a break in your boring day.  And feel free to e-mail me with your thoughts, comments and/or inside scoop.  I may use it, and I’ll refrain from revealing the source.

Now, I still need to introduce my cohorts in crime here at the Chamber, but fortunately for them, they’ll have to wait for at least another blog to be exposed…

Until then, did ya’ figure out what a Parrothead was?

Let's Get it Started

A couple weeks ago, The Chamber’s marketing department approached me to write a blog about life on “the hill” in Harrisburg.  At first, I thought it was my charm and professionalism that led them to me.  In reality, it was the fact that no one else on staff even knew what a blog was.  Besides, I think I overheard them say that actually I have the charm of Michael Moore and the professionalism of Martha Stewart – but that’s OK.  Those same people are now my very own staff of editors, and I’m going to keep them VERY busy.

Oh, and stop whining about my reference to the goofy melon and the lady felon.  I’m an equal opportunity mocker, so get over your prejudices. 

Now, my editors tell me that blogs should have personality.  They tell me to be light, clever and use my “wonderful sense of humor.”  By the way, a note to the editors – never try to b.s. a lobbyist.  It’s as pathetic as explaining the importance of persistence and training to Lance Armstrong.  Besides, with regards to a sense of humor, I know the truth -- I’m not making people laugh, they’re laughing at me.

                           

So anyway, what the heck will I be blogging about (ßhey editors, never end a sentence a preposition with!  Get to work!)?  Well, this blog will shed light on the ridiculous, it will expose the insanity, AND most importantly, it will be a reason for every lobbyist and political junkie in Pennsylvania to mock me (hence the reason for the brutal assault on the editors that hooked me into this damn thing).

So, welcome to The Chamber’s blog. I intend to provide insight into our lobbying world that is seldom seen (which you may endup deciding is a good thing). Please forgive typos if it’s written at 2 a.m. (but blame the editors), and I’ll forgive you if you send me an inane comment about my posts.

By the way, if you come here looking for my views on the latest media frenzy, you’re in the wrong place. But if you want to know what’s happening in Pennsylvania, or more likely what’s not happening, this is the place to be.

Until next time, Parrotheads -- turn up the tunes! And the rest of you, go figure out what a Parrothead is…

Email Jim at thecurrent@pachamber.org