Pennsylvania
Cutting Red Tape Could Add Billions To Pennsylvania’s Economy
A new report I published this week with the Commonwealth Foundation highlights the burdensome regulatory environment in Pennsylvania and estimates the economic boost possible from streamlining rules. The report reveals Pennsylvania enforces more than 166,000 regulatory restrictions, making the Keystone State roughly 22 percent more regulated than the average U.S. state.
While often well-intentioned on an individual basis, regulations in the aggregate impose onerous burdens on residents and businesses. A 2022 study estimated that federal rules alone led to 187,000 more Pennsylvanians living in poverty and 361 fewer businesses annually.
All this red tape likely contributes to Pennsylvania’s slow population growth, ranking the state in the bottom fifth nationally over the past decade. Research suggests that excessive regulations reduce economic dynamism and growth.
However, examples from Canada and other U.S. states show that cutting red tape, when done right, can accelerate growth.
In the early 2000s, British Columbia reduced regulatory requirements by 36 % over several years. A 2021 study linked this to a 1 percentage point higher annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate over the next decade.
This research suggests Pennsylvania could potentially increase year-over-year growth by 1 percentage point through a similar 36 percent reduction in regulatory restrictions.
That may sound ambitious, but two other states are already working to replicate the British Columbia experience. Last year, Ohio passed a law mandating a 30 percent reduction in regulatory restrictions, while Virginia now aims to cut 25 percent of its requirements.
For context, Pennsylvania’s GDP was $923 billion in 2022, and it grew by 2.1 % from 2021 to 2022. One percent of its economy equals $9.2 billion, meaning an extra $1,760 per Pennsylvania household. Compounded over time, savings stemming from fewer regulatory burdens would substantially improve living standards.
Alternatively, $9.2 billion could support around 180,000 additional jobs in the state, raising overall employment by 3 %. This economic stimulus would provide tremendous opportunities, especially for younger residents considering leaving due to limited prospects.
To roll back regulatory burdens, Pennsylvania policymakers should consider the following options.
First, Pennsylvania maintains more than 33,000 environment-related restrictions, the largest area of state regulations. Revisiting outdated or ineffective rules could pare back the sizable regulatory burden from environmental rules.
Another priority should be addressing the state’s permitting process. Permit approval times frequently exceed the 14-to-43-day limits set under Pennsylvania’s permitting-decision guarantee policy. Energy permits sometimes take 250 days or more, stifling development.
Pennsylvania should also consider implementing a regulatory budget akin to Virginia or Ohio. Both states capped regulatory agencies’ total requirements, forcing them to offset new burdens by eliminating old ones.
Finally, giving the General Assembly veto power over major executive regulations would enhance legislative oversight. Adding sunset provisions so rules automatically expire would also clear out some unneeded rules.
Cutting red tape always involves political hurdles, as entrenched interests that benefit from regulations seek to maintain barriers to competition. Yet, with the right leadership, sweeping regulatory reforms are possible, as British Columbia, Ohio, and Virginia demonstrate. The projected $9.2 billion GDP increase from regulatory streamlining makes the economic stakes clear.
With smart reforms, Pennsylvania can become a dynamic economic hub open to investment and opportunity. Removing barriers to growth is the key to renewed prosperity. Pennsylvania’s regulatory burdens have become too heavy to bear.
It’s time for policymakers to cut the red tape.
Pennsylvania
JD Vance crisscrosses battleground Pennsylvania at a rally in Newtown, Bucks County
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Pennsylvania
How to be a poll worker in Pennsylvania
Who can I contact if I have more questions?
You can call 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or email ra-voterreg@pa.gov with questions about the poll worker interest form. You can also reach out to your local county’s election office for more details. For the Greater Philadelphia area, the contacts are the following:
Bucks County
Elections & Voter Registration
55 E. Court St.
Doylestown, Pennsylvania, 18901
Phone: (215) 348-6154
Email: elections@buckscounty.org
Chester County
Elections
Karen Barsoum
Government Services Center
601 Westtown Road, Ste. 150
PO Box 2747
West Chester, Pennsylvania, 19380-0990
Phone: (610) 344-6410
Email: ccelectionofficials@chesco.org
Voter registration
Stephanie Saitis
Government Services Center
601 Westtown Rd., Ste. 150
PO Box 2747
West Chester, Pennsylvania, 19380-0990
Phone: (610) 344-6410
Email: ccelectionofficials@chesco.org
Delaware County
Elections
Laureen Hagan
Chief Clerk/Director
201 W. Front St.
Government Center Building
Media, Pennsylvania, 19063
Phone: (610) 891-4673
Email: DelcoElection@co.delaware.pa.us
Voter Registration
Crystal Winterbottom
Interim Voter Registration Director
201 W. Front St.
Government Center Building
Media, Pennsylvania, 19063
Phone: (610) 891-4659
Email: DelcoElection@co.delaware.pa.us
Montgomery County
Elections & Voter Registration
Montgomery County Voter Services
One Montgomery Plaza
425 Swede St., Suite 602
Norristown, Pennsylvania, 19401
Phone: (610) 278-3280
Email: montcovotes@montgomerycountypa.gov
Philadelphia County
Elections
Philadelphia County Board of Elections
142 City Hall
1400 JFK Blvd.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107
Phone: (215) 686-3469
Voter Registration
Voter Registration Office
520 N Columbus Blvd.
5th Floor
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19123
Phone: (215) 686-1590
Pennsylvania
Remnants of Hurricane Helene will pass close to rainy Pennsylvania
Hurricane Helene hit Florida as a powerful Category 4 storm on Thursday, and while it’s weakened since, it’s still bringing heavy rain to some states.
The storm center isn’t tracking to Pennsylvania, according to the National Hurricane Center, but it will be close. Related flash-flood warnings have been issued in Ohio and West Virginia, and Pennsylvania will continue to get rain.
- More: Statewide weather alerts
That includes the Harrisburg area, where it’s been raining all week — and more wet days are ahead. The National Weather Service forecast calls for rain in central Pennsylvania through at least early Wednesday.
Live radar over Pennsylvania:
On Saturday, the National Weather Service says, the Harrisburg area is expected to have rain on and off, especially in the morning. The Weather Channel shows less than a 20% chance of rain much of the day. The high temperature is forecast to be around in the low 70s.
Stevie Nicks is set to perform in Hershey tonight, at the outdoor stadium, rain or not. Anyone heading to other outdoor events should check for changes in plans or venues.
Helene has led to the deaths of at least 44 people in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Millions are without power, and countless buildings and roads have been destroyed or damaged.
The forecast in central Pennsylvania for the next few days:
- Today: Showers, high 74, low 65
- Sunday: Showers, high 69, low 63
- Monday: Showers, high 69, low 61
- Tuesday: Rain, high 68, low 59
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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