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.
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