Faces of Change How Erie’s Political Newcomers See Old Challenges As New Opportunities

Jane Earll On Her Own TermsOur state senator discusses successes, pressing issues in the 49th District and statewide, and how you can partner with government

Faces of Change How Erie’s Political Newcomers See Old Challenges As New Opportunities

Jane Earll On Her Own TermsOur state senator discusses successes, pressing issues in the 49th District and statewide, and how you can partner with government

President/CEOBarbara C. Chaffee

Vice President, ChamberClaudia K. Thornburg

Vice President, Economic DevelopmentJacob A. Rouch

Vice President, Growth PartnershipMary C. Bula

StaffJoelyn J. Bush, Director of Marketing &

Communications

Sara Harris, Sales Executive

Melanie A. Johnson, Erie Business Action

Team Coordinator

Doug M. Massey, Workforce Development

Coordinator-Training

Cathy Noble, Events Coordinator

Leslie Orlando, Account Executive

Benjamin C. Pratt, Director of Research

Linda Robbins, Accountant

Susan M. Ronto, Membership Coordinator

EditorJoelyn J. Bush

Contributing WritersCory Vaillancourt

Susan M. Weiner

Photo ContributorArt Becker

DesignBensur Creative Marketing Group

For Advertising Information:

Leslie Orlando, Account Executive

(814) 454-7191 x 139

lorlando@eriepa.com

Board of DirectorsPeter Balmert

John J. Barber

Donald L. Birx

John C. Bloomstine

Carl M. Carlotti, Esq.

Terrence Cavanaugh

Rosanne Cheeseman

Gary L. Clark

Joel Deuterman

Mary L. Eckert

Scott Eighmy

Barbara Haggerty

Thomas C. Hoffman, II

Timothy Hunter

Thomas M. Kennedy

Charles G. Knight

John P. Leemhuis, Jr.

John T. Malone

James W. Martin, CFRE

James E. Martin

Marlene D. Mosco

Jack A. Munch

James W. Riley

James Rutkowski, Jr.

Matthew Schultz

Nick Scott, Jr.

Gretchen Seth

John E. Skory

Ronald A. Steele

Keith Taylor, Ph.D.

David M. Tullio

Russell S. Warner, Esq.

Michael Weber

Thomas J. Wedzik

Scott A. Whalen, Ph.D.

Jason Wieczorek

Front Cover/Inside Page 1 :Erie County CourthousePhoto Courtesy of Art Becker

I had the privilege to serve Governor Tom Ridge in the Commonwealth and Governor Ridge and President George W. Bush at the White House Office of Homeland Security. In each position there was a responsibility to listen to private and public sector stakeholders, citizen constituents, special interest groups, and yes, lobbyists. Many had their own personal point of view; special interest groups, associations and trade organizations and lobbyists represented the concerns of those they represented. I always learned something new! There were many recommended solutions that had great value; there were some that did not serve the greater good will. What I discovered was the great value of collaboration between those with different interests or points of view.

Many times I may have personally agreed with those who presented their case for any given legislation, executive policy, or administration’s initiative but those who I served may have had a different vision; a vision reached by all the feedback they received from numerous government agencies, constituents and organizations or by the reality of budgetary constraints. Compromise was often the only way you could move forward on the challenges and opportunities before you.

Our February ERIE Magazine features those who have lived in the government arena for a great length of time and those that are new to the political and social realities of being a public servant. They know the importance of listening more than talking; they have firsthand experience with compromise and collaboration; they know that they will never please everyone all the time.

All who serve us on the local, state and federal levels must listen more and talk less.They must at times, set aside the partisan politics to serve the citizens who pay them.When major issues of debt reduction, government regulations on business and industry, health care, social security and a multitude of other challenges are in limbo we cannot move forward.

As citizens of the region we also need to be more open to collaboration and compromise; it would be of greater value to our public servants when fighting for what this region needs to thrive.

Governor Tom Ridge has a favorite President Theodore Roosevelt quote called “The Man in the Arena” from his speech Citizenship in a Republic, given in Paris; valuable words for all of us.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the

man who points out how the strong man

stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could

have done them better. The credit belongs

to the man who is actually in the arena,

whose face is marred by dust and sweat

and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs,

who comes short again and again,

because there is no effort without error

and shortcoming; but who does actually

strive to do the deeds; who knows great

enthusiasms, the great devotions; who

spends himself in a worthy cause; who at

the best knows in the end the triumph of

high achievement, and who at the worst,

if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly,

so that his place shall never be with those

cold and timid souls who neither know

victory nor defeat.” - President Theodore Roosevelt

president’s perspective | Barbara C. Chaffee

Gratefully,

Barbara

what’s inside We look forward to seeing you at these networking events for Chamber investors.

Please RSVP to the Chamber at (814) 454-7191 x 146 or cnoble@eriepa.com

afterhours

2-5 New Investors

6-8 Faces of Change How Erie’s Political Newcomers See Old Challenges As New Opportunities

10-12 Jane Earll On Her Own Terms Our state senator discusses successes, pressing issues in the 49th District and statewide, and how you can partner with government

16-17 The Washington Battlefield Offers Erie Opportunities Contributed By Phil English

18 Mark A. Holman Q&A with Mark Holman, Partner - Ridge Policy Group

19 Right to Work Legislation Contributed By Lori Joint, Director of Government Affairs, Manufacturer & Business Association

March 155:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Latino’s Restaurant

1315 Parade Street | Erie, PA

April 195:00 – 7:00 p.m.

DRS of Erie County

345 East 16th Street | Erie, PA

May 175:00 – 7:00 p.m.

HANDS

701 State Street | Erie, PA

ERIE Magazine | February 2012

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New Investors

Welcome Proud Investors

Admiral Heating and Air Conditioning LLCService, installation and repair of HVAC-R equipment, residential and commercial.

Ms. Amy Fuchs 5842 Swanville Road | Erie, PA 16506 | (814) 882-0995

Allstate Insurance Matt Barczyk Agency

Mr. Matthew G. Barczyk3309 Liberty Street | Erie, PA 16508 | (814) 868-9800

American Railing Systems Inc.Aluminum and stainless steel ornamental guard rail and hand rail.

Mr. Mark Bliley1813 McClelland Avenue | Erie, PA 16510 (814) 899-7677

Bob Evans RestaurantFull menu country-style restaurant, featuring home cooked style menu all meals below $7.00.

Mr. Rob Burton2340 West 12th Street | Erie, PA 16505 | (814) 455-0118

Bridgeway Capital Provides capital and education opportunities for small businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations to expand economic and job growth in western Pennsylvania. Bridgeway Capital often works with a bank to finance a deal, helping to ensure that enterprises are able to grow and thrive.

Ms. Jane Bittcher707 Grant Street, Suite 1920Pittsburgh, PA 15219 | (412) 201-2450

Welcome Silver Investor

Plyler Enterprises, Inc.Sales, service, installation and repair of residential and commercial overhead garage doors and garage door openers, commercial hollow metal doors, frames and hardware and loading dock levelers, restraints and equipment.

Mr. Jeff Plyler8850 Fry Rd | Mckean, PA 16426-1533 | (814) 476-7717

SILVER INVESTOR

PROUD INVESTOR

ERIE REGIONAL CHAMBER AND GROWTH PARTNERSHIP

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Crystal Point ProductionsA full-service creative service provider. Deals in audio and video mediums, producing radio and tv commercials, website videos, and professional voice work. Script writing, editing, production, and limited website building are also provided. We also utilize a mobile studio and have the ability to come to clients who need our services.

Mr. Richard SmithP.O. Box 8291 | Erie, PA 16505 (814) 403-5015

DiningverseA unique online marketing solution geared specifically toward local (independently owned) restaurants. Restaurateurs can manager their website, reach out to existing patrons and attract new customers. Hungry folk can easily find, recommend and create/share lists of favorite local restaurants. Designers and marketers can use DV to setup and manage an Internet presence for their restaurant customers, knowing that the DV web platform will provide the “nuts and bolts” to keep pace with technology.

Ms. Christine Starr1903 West 8th Street, #114 | Erie, PA 16505 (814) 474-7661

Harley-Davidson of ErieMotorcycle sales, service, parts and apparel.

Mr. Kelly Lapping4575 West Ridge Road | Erie, PA 16506 (814) 838-1356

Lakeside Bagel & DeliA “Mom and Pop” bagel shop offering New York style bagels and cream cheese made from scratch. Also homemade scones and cookies as well as Green Mountain coffees. Those visiting for lunch may choose from several fresh bagel sandwiches, soups, and cold sides. Mr. Tony Arnt318 West Plum Street | Edinboro, PA 16412(814) 734-8950

Lemac Packaging, Inc.Wholesale distributor of packaging supply products. Printer of large format graphics for fleet graphics industry.

Mr. Gerald D. Lee, IIIP.O. Box 10788 | Erie, PA 16514 (814) 453-7652

NEW INVESTORS

New Investors continued.

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Lynn’s Little Rascals DaycareWe operate a daycare center for children aged infant to preschool. Operating hours are Monday through Saturday from 6:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.

8215 Wattsburg Road | Erie, PA 16509 (814) 824-5437

Nicklas Insurance Agency, Inc.Insurance

Ms. Karen Sadler1917 West 8th Street | Erie, PA 16505 (814) 455-1211

Nash Chiropractic HealthcareAn Erie tradition for over 60 years with three generations of chiropractors, focusing on the biomechanics of the spine along with nutritional therapy and massage therapy to improve your quality of health.

Mr. Trevor P. Nash, D.C.3201 Peach Street | Erie, PA 16508(814) 456-1600

Penn West Industrial TrucksA forklift dealership for Western PA and Northern WV. Represents Toyota, Linde, Kalmar, Manitou and Hyundai forklifts. Headquartered in Mount Pleasant, PA. We sell new, used units, rentals, parts and service.

Mr. Roy Henkes2860 West 23rd Street | Erie, PA 16506(814) 835-6851

Ricoh USA, Inc.The leading provider of advanced office technology and innovative document imaging products, services and software. Please contact if you are a business looking for an expert provider of digital office equipment; document work flow / archiving / back-up; network & IT services / security / phone systems; overall office efficiency.

Mr. Zachary Wild522 East 38th Street | Erie, PA 16504(814) 314-9525

Sabella’s CateringSocial caterer - provide food and beverage services for the corporate and private sectors. Banquet halls available - 21 La Rue Dix, Grand Ballroom and Camelot Room and Victorian Princess.

Ms. Janet Miller1508 West 32nd Street | Erie, PA 16508-2202 (814) 868-3463

PROUD INVESTOR

New Investors continued.

ERIE REGIONAL CHAMBER AND GROWTH PARTNERSHIP

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Suburban Tool & Die Company, Inc.Leads the industry as a full service designer and manufacturer of quality, custom built molds for the thermoplastic, rubber, aluminum, and zinc molding industries.

Mr. Kurt Suprynowicz4940 Pacific Ave | Erie, PA 16506-4978(814) 833-4882 The Brothers Wood Company Potato Chip Factory.

Mr. Jonathan Wood1524 Enterprise Road | Corry, PA 16407(814) 462-2422

The Reserves NetworkEmployment services.

Ms. Rebecca Kosik146 Main Street West | Girard, PA 16417(814) 774-3842

Tech Nuts, LLCProvides in-home, on-site and online computer repair and support. We offer a full range of computer services to residential and small businesses including: Malware and Virus Removal, PC Tune Ups, Hardware Repair and Wireless Networking.

Mr. Justin HeacockP.O. Box 3810 | Erie, PA 16508(814) 580-8324

Troyer Inc.The Troyer family formed Troyer, Inc. to leverage their knowledge, equipment and assets acquired through three generations of farming in NW PA. Continued production of potatoes, wheat and corn; also offering AG chemicals- herbicides, fungicides, fertilizers and high-yield seeds at competitive prices. The Transportation Division has a full-service garage and specializes in freight handling with a fleet of company-owned tractor trailer rigs.

Mr. Jake Jones817 Route 97 S | Waterford, PA 16441(814) 796-7081

New Investors continued.

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eriepa.com

ERIE REGIONAL CHAMBER AND GROWTH PARTNERSHIP

7FACES OF CHANGE

The strength of any community is measured by the efficacy of its elected officials. Judging by the attitudes and opinions of our young new crop of rising stars, Erie is poised for a bright future amidst a business climate primed for growth; the political landscape of our region continues to evolve, that it may address both the challenges and opportunities our region faces in the 21st century.

Erie City Council President Curtis Jones, Jr. is in the third year of his second term on Council, and is more than ready to address those challenges. “I think challenges are opportunities,” he likes to say. “People are coming to Erie because it’s a great place to be and because it has a lot to offer. I think we need to get the good things out, because we always hear about the bad things. Challenges bring opportunity. If there’s no challenge, there’s no opportunity.”

When asked to describe those opportunities, Jones cites “significant” financial and economic challenges. “Finding ways of getting revenue in without raising taxes and fees is a really challenging process,” he says. “Especially since government is primarily funded by taxation.”

As President of the City Council, Jones is positioned to well affect that change, given his motivation and his background. “My degree is from Thiel College in political science, with a minor in theology. My dream, and I have papers that I wrote in high school to prove it, was to go away to college, get some information, experience some things, and bring all that home

and make my hometown a better place. I felt like I could bring some new ideas, some youthfulness. I was 28 when I won my first primary election, so I felt like I could bring something else to the table – if nothing else, my love, my education, my passion for home.”

The decision to enter politics has changed his life, just as it appears ready to change Erie for the better. “It’s really pushed me to grow quite a bit, and to become more responsible. I thought I was concerned about people; I thought I was concerned about community, until I got into this position. People will come and really tell you how they feel. They really tell you how they’re hurting and where they’re hurting, which has given me the drive to keep pushing and keep working.”

Erie City Councilman Bob Merski shares Jones’ enthusiasm. For Merski, “the driving force behind running for office is simple: I believe in Erie and want to help make it a better place through service to the community.”

Although Merski is newly-elected to his post, he’s no stranger to politics. “I have always been around politics because of my father [Erie County Sheriff Bob Merski], but I never really felt compelled to get involved in politics until the 2008 Presidential election,” he says. “I also became involved in grassroots

| By Cory Vaillancourt

How Erie’s Political Newcomers See Old Challenges As New Opportunities

Faces of Change

“Finding ways of getting revenue in without raising taxes and fees is a really challenging process”

3Listed from front to back: Curtis Jones, Kyle Hannon, Sheila Sterrett, Bob Merski and Brad Moore

Photo Courtesy of Art Becker

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lobbying for educational issues at the state level because of my job as a teacher. Working with Mercyhurst College, I helped start a neighborhood watch and farmers market in South East Erie. Through these experiences, it was easy to become more passionate about my community and how government impacts our lives.”

Merski is, however, not ignorant of the challenges he faces. “The biggest challenge is bucking the trend of many cities in the Great Lakes region and attracting family-sustaining jobs to the community. In the City of Erie, we have additional challenges of being the urban hub of the community and everything that entails, such as flat or declining revenues, the expansion of tax-exempt organizations, and the region’s residents using the City’s resources without paying for the upkeep of those resources.”

Like his colleague Curtis Jones, Bob Merski sees these challenges as opportunities, particularly as opportunities to create and implement a focused, purpose-driven long-range plan for our community. “In every challenge the City and the Erie region faces, there is an opportunity for transformative change. As a City Councilman, I have only one of seven votes to move things forward. What I hope to do is to be a part of the discourse of where Erie wants to be in the next 25 years and how to be make that happen.”

Just as our elected officials help plant the seeds of a fruitful future for Erie, the importance of their staff in cultivating that growth should not be underestimated. Brad Moore is one such staffer, and he credits a strong educational foundation for nurturing his budding awareness of the political process. “My interest in politics actually started in high school,” he says. “As silly as it sounds, that’s when the show ‘The West Wing’ was popular, and I was completely intrigued after watching a couple of episodes – particularly by the federal government and the political process. I was fortunate enough to have very good teachers in my social studies department that even furthered my interest.” Moore happily works in the office of Congressman Mike Kelly, and has

told his employer that, “barring something I can’t foresee, I’m very happy to work for him as long as he is in office, or as long as he wants me. “

Likewise, Shelia Sterrett, Regional Manager for U.S. Senator Pat Toomey, eschews notions of her own aspirations in deference to her employer. “I really enjoy my behind-the-scenes work in both the public and private sector with constituents, both individuals and the various business, government and educational organizations I am able to help.” Previously, Sterrett spent 12 years in Erie as the director of Government Affairs for the Manufacturer and Business Association. “That job gave me such a vital perspective on how the business world operates, and what small-business owners, in particular, struggle with when it comes to government regulation.” She says she finds the process of government and politics fascinating, and most enjoys her ability to “help constituents from Erie to Warren and Potter Counties with issues they have navigating the sometimes confusing maze of the federal government. Not only that, I can be the eyes and ears of U.S. Senator Pat Toomey in the northwest Pennsylvania region when it comes to public opinion on the important matters of the day.”

Kyle Hannon, Regional Manager, United States Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr., has always been interested in the decision- making processes that have shaped American history and felt he could be helpful in that process. “Several years ago I decided that I would like to help shape that history, and I made the decision to become involved in issues important to me.” Hannon says he would always like to work in government “in some capacity. I enjoy the interaction with constituents and hope to continue to help the people of my community and state through my work for Senator Casey.”

Government is but a tool, a means to an end. Thankfully, in the hands of skilled professionals like Curtis Jones, Bob Merski, Brad Moore, Sheila Sterrett, and Kyle Hannon, the tender seedlings fostered by our elected officials hold the promise of a vigorous, abundant future for the City, County and region. n

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article continued.

ERIE REGIONAL CHAMBER AND GROWTH PARTNERSHIP

eriepa.com 3LIVING PROOF

Reprinted with permission from Parade ©2006. All rights reserved.

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ERIE REGIONAL CHAMBER AND GROWTH PARTNERSHIP

eriepa.com JANE EARLL 11

In December, State Senator Jane Earll announced her decision not to seek reelection in November 2012. She’s still very much in the game, however, tackling a full schedule of projects in Harrisburg and staying plugged into a network of constituents in her district. In fact, if you talk to Senator Earll for more than a few minutes, you’ll hear how much she values connectedness in her work. “I take very seriously my responsibility to try to make decisions that are in the best interest of the whole. To do that, I have to be networked in the community on all layers – the blue-collar world, white-collar world, corporate world, the unemployed, nonprofits and the arts – so I can understand their issues, their needs and their value to the community.”

What she learns through personal contact with individuals and groups and through her staff’s work with thousands of constituents each year, she said, makes a difference in her ability to bring state funds or enact legislation or otherwise help local projects come into being. During her 15 years in office, Earll has had a hand in a long list of projects – from enactment of the Erie County Convention Center Authority and development of the Bayfront Convention Center and bayfront hotel to the recent deals redeveloping the GAF site on the bayfront and keeping the Lord Corporation facility in Erie, which all dovetail with her position as Chair of the Senate

Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee. As for legislative work dealing with statewide issues, “I’ve had some hand-wringing decisions to make on votes,” she said. “Sometimes it’s not black and white. Issues are often complicated.”

She handles working in these gray areas – especially on legislation with a lot of emotion attached to it, such as criminal justice matters – by bringing to the discussion a more comprehensive point of view about the impact of proposed laws and their resultant cost. “Often it’s not the bill you have your name on where you make the most difference,” she said, particularly thinking of her work on the Judiciary Committee, where she’s served her entire tenure and where she feels she’s made a difference. “When your caucus is arguing very frankly about a bill, you influence through that conversation and negotiation and amendment process.”

She tries to approach her legislative responsibilities with an open mind, Earll said, but at the same time bringing certain assumptions like “Government’s role should be limited” and “We should be very conservative about how we spend money” to every discussion.

Yet to be done

Earll is working on legislation in several areas this year, most notably an appointment process to replace the election process for appellate judges; selecting a location for awarding a license for a gaming resort; and a comprehensive package to reform Act 47, which deals with financially distressed municipalities. Another area where Earll sees the need for change involves the multitude of municipalities in

| By Susan M. WeinerOur state senator discusses successes, pressing issues in the 49th District and statewide, and how you can partner with government

Jane Earll On Her Own Terms

“We need a skilled workforce for the types of jobs we have in our economy”

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Pennsylvania – 2,562 to be exact, not to mention 500 school districts. “There is a cost to that,” she said. “Some municipalities can’t sustain their costs on their own or even get people to run for office.” While “consolidation” is not a popular word, she said, “it could make a real fundamental difference in Pennsylvania. There will probably be a merger of services that will ultimately lead to erasing some of those boundary lines.”

Parallel tracks

The senator also identified a workplace issue of “huge importance” both statewide and locally. “We need a skilled workforce for the types of jobs we have in our economy,” she said. “A few local examples are manufacturing, the construction trades and auto mechanics. Jobs go unfilled, yet people are out of work. Employers are turning down work because they can’t find workers who have the necessary skills. And because our workforce is aging, we will be facing a high number of retirements over the next decade.”

“The immediate need and long-term need are on parallel tracks,” she continued. “That’s why I’m in favor of a community college. We need to create a pipeline for the jobs that currently exist and the jobs for the economy we want to create.”

Earll sees a strong economy as the key to solving problems in our region. “If you want people to move here or stay here and raise their families here and younger people remain employed here – that’s a function of a good economy,” she said. “If you want to have fewer people in poverty and higher educational attainment levels – that’s a function of the economy too. Everything revolves around that marketplace system.”

“We need to define what our economy will look like in 10 or 20 years and have a blueprint for that vision,” she said. “It has to be a collaborative effort between the business community,

academia, the nonprofit world and elected government on all levels – municipal, county and state.”

Is Erie up to the challenge? From her unique perspective – having visited all 67 counties in Pennsylvania during her run for lieutenant governor in 2002 – Earll said, “Erie has so much going for it. It’s like a quilt that needs to be sewn together. We have all of the pieces, but we don’t have a picture. We have so much more than so many other areas of the state in terms of raw materials to deal with. “That’s where I encourage the business community to become involved. A basic way for you to be engaged is to let your legislators know what is important to you. What is it that you face that you think we could help with – or what are we doing that’s interfering with your ability to grow? We don’t know unless you tell us.”

All in all . . .

At the end of the day, what accomplishment of the past 15 years is Earll most proud of? “I think we brought a professionalism and a work ethic to the Erie office and a credibility in Harrisburg that this region is important,” she said. “My hope would be that the standard we’ve set, which has been beneficial to the community, is going to be maintained by my successors. I think we set a new standard that conveys to the general public that the Senate offices are important and who represents them makes a difference.”

Until her term ends in November, Earll will be fulfilling her obligations to her constituents, in her own words: “To listen to people upfront before a vote and to bring information back to them. To be truthful with people even if I know we’re going to disagree. To be open and accessible and then explain why I did what I did.”

“Every day has been an adventure, with an almost indescribable depth and breadth of issues,” she said. “It’s been the privilege of a lifetime.” n

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ERIE REGIONAL CHAMBER AND GROWTH PARTNERSHIP

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ERIE REGIONAL CHAMBER AND GROWTH PARTNERSHIP

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Contributed by Phil English, Co Chair, Government Relations Group

The Washington Battlefield Offers Erie Opportunities

It is predictable that Congress will bog down when control of the institution is divided on party lines, and an incumbent President is facing a difficult reelection. This year, with the country facing a protracted economic slump and a serious fiscal crisis, the stakes are high for an embattled Congress facing a frustrated public. In this environment, Congress will be forced to act to address critical issues like entitlement reform, tax reform, energy policy, health care funding and cost containment, infrastructure investment, and financial services regulation – all of which demand timely resolution.

Although the partisan quagmire has claimed a variety of worthy reform efforts – most recently the so-called Supercommittee initiative – dire circumstances are forcing Solons to explore new bicameral and bipartisan initiatives to table a host of looming challenges. How Congress responds will have a huge impact on our part of Pennsylvania.

At Arent Fox LLP, we see large crises (and potential opportunities) in our areas of practice, which run the gambit from tax policy to healthcare, trade to energy, higher education to pension policy. Some issues that have been long neglected are moving to a crescendo, with large consequences for local institutions and interests. Some vivid examples:

Medicare FundingCongress must move belatedly to ward off catastrophic cuts to physician reimbursement under Medicare. This debate will raise fresh funding challenges for many local hospitals. Outlook: painful and unsatisfactory spending decisions.

Debt ReductionLooming across-the-board spending cuts will force Congress back to the table to grapple with painful entitlement reforms and question long established programs. Outlook: new cuts, but no budget.

Tax ReformRevenue demands and rising equity issues will force lawmakers to reassess current tax policy. Look for many long standing tax preferences (home mortgage deductions, R&D tax credit, and municipal bonds) to face fresh scrutiny. International business taxes, where the U.S. tax code is uncompetitive, may invite major revisions. Outlook: incremental changes this year, possible massive reforms post-election.

Healthcare ReformLandmark healthcare reform legislation is facing implementation challenges, while under fire from hostile Republican legislation and federal litigation. Outlook: an impasse with missed deadlines and momentous court decisions.

5Phil English, Co Chair, Government Relations Group, Arent Fox LLP

ERIE REGIONAL CHAMBER AND GROWTH PARTNERSHIP

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TradeThe passage of the long dormant free trade agreements will clear the way for a new Trans Pacific Partnership, and new trade disputes with China. Outlook: new export opportunities, unpredictable outcomes.

EnergyFrom the Keystone Pipeline to the expanding development of natural gas from the Marcellus and Utica shale fields, Congress and the Administration will fiercely debate new energy sources and technologies. My firm’s work in this area, which includes collaboration with the Keystone Energy Forum, has given me an active role in providing objective resources to communities involved in Marcellus production. Outlook: new initiatives on deep gas drilling, a new focus on offshore energy resources, and an evaluation of policies incenting conservation and alternative energy development.

Higher EducationWith looming challenges to financing for work study programs and Pell Grants, local colleges and universities will have a large stake in budget outcomes in Washington. Outlook: Fierce competition for funding in a vista of fiscal austerity.

Other Budget PrioritiesThe mandated cuts in the U.S. defense budget will cause significant local fallout for defense contractors. The Army Corps of Engineers will be unlikely to support the annual Presque Isle beach renewal in the face of deep cuts.

What should our community do in the face of these challenges? Get involved. The local Chamber should take the lead, working with its state and federal affiliates, in identifying needs and venues for local voices to be heard. n

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Mark A. Holman

Q. What are your impressions of the overall business climate in Pennsylvania?

A. Notwithstanding the sluggishness of the national economy, Pennsylvania is faring better than most states. Our unemployment is lower than the national average and the diversity of our state’s economy helps a great deal. Unfortunately, our state budget revenues are not as robust as we would like and the Commonwealth will be facing an other very tough budget year.

Q. What do you attribute Pennsylvania’s economic strength compared to other states?

A. With the amazing developments in the production of shale gas and horizontal drilling techniques, Pennsylvania is poised to become an international leader in energy production. Our citizens are just beginning to realize that we are home to what is currently the second largest natural gas field in the world in the Marcellus Shale formation. Pennsylvania’s abundance of natural resources, gas, coal, timber and water will make us a national leader in energy production well into the 21st century. What needs to be understood is that the potential of our economic growth in this area can be accomplished in harmony with our environment - no question about it.

Q. What other economic factors come into play?

A. My experience working with the Ben Franklin Technology Partners has opened my eyes to the strength of the “innovation” sector, which is a powerful economic driver in areas of Pennsylvania. The Erie area benefits from growing collaborations between entrepreneurial networks in Pittsburgh and Cleveland; high paying jobs in emerging technologies and life sciences also show great promise.

Q. What about our regional economy in Northwestern Pennsylvania?

A. The greater Erie area has an impressive core of institutional assets that will help the area grow in the upcoming years. You have a great mix of private and public institutions of higher learning and a tremendous health care network with Hamot Hospital, for example, now joining the UPMC network. I work with Mercyhurst College in Washington and their Intelligence Studies program is internationally recognized. With our traditional food processing and manufacturing base, combined with the phenomenal bayfront development, Erie should be very optimistic about the future.

Q. Turning to politics, with the new congressional map, what will it mean for Erie County to be split in congressional reapportionment?

A. Personally, I wish we were back in the days when keeping cities and counties whole in reapportionment was considered important. However, the courts have upheld the jigsaw puzzle congressional districts that have been drawn over the last three reapportionments, so we have to accept the results. For Erie County, having two members of Congress who care about local issues will clearly be a benefit. Erie is an important media market so it will never be neglected by federal or statewide elected officials. However, Erie County will miss the seniority and good influence of State Senator Jane Earll for sure. She has been a very effective advocate for the region and whoever succeeds her will have big shoes to fill. n

Partner, Ridge Policy Group(Former Chief of Staff to Governor Tom Ridge and Deputy Assistant to the President, Office of Homeland Security)

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What would you say if the followinglegislation were proposed?Contributed By Lori Joint, Director of Government Affairs, Manufacturer & Business Association

Under state law, a company cannot be forced to be a participating member of a business organization; employers can only be forced to pay fair share dues to the business organization. The law requires that all businesses receive services from the business organization, even those businesses that chose not to join.

In other words, if you operate a business in the state of Pennsylvania, you must either join our business organization or chose not to join – either way, you must pay your fair share of dues. If you fail to do so, you would be required to move your business to another state.

Are you outraged? Can you imagine a state law that compels you to either pay business organization dues or relocate your business? Well, that is precisely what current state law does to Pennsylvania workers.

Currently, a worker cannot be forced to be a participating member of a union – only to pay fair share fees to the union representing their collective bargaining unit. It is important to note that state law requires that all members of a collective bargaining unit receive benefits negotiated by unions (pay raises, etc.) – even those individuals who chose not to join the union.

In other words, if you accept a job at a unionized company you must join the union or pay your fair share of union fees – either way, you’ll receive the benefits negotiated by the union. However, if you do not join the union or pay your fair share to the union, you would be required to forfeit your job.

In a right-to-work state, an individual cannot be compelled to join a union or forced to pay a fair share union fee. The individual maintains the right to chose. Pennsylvania, however, is not a right-to-work (RTW) state.

Individual choice and freedom aside, let’s consider the economics of a right-to-work state versus that of a state like Pennsylvania, which does not provide the right to chose. The following is the most current information available.

• From2000to2008,nearly4.7millionpeoplemovedfrom non-RTW states like Pennsylvania to one of 22 states that have passed right-to-work laws. Just recently, we lost a Congressional seat in Pennsylvania due to a reduction in population.

• From1977to2007,RTWstatesexperienced23-percentfaster growth in per capita income than states like Pennsylvania, which require union membership or forced union fees.

• AccordingtotheU.S.BureauofLaborStatistics,more manufacturing jobs have been created in RTW states than non-RTW states.

• Nineofthetop10beststatesforbusinessare right-to-work states.

• Thebottom10(worststates)areallnon-RTWstates. • EmploymentgrowthinRTWstatesis9.1percent,compared to 3.6 percent in non-RTW states; personal income growth is 11.8 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively; and growth in real manufacturing GDP is 20.9 percent in RTW states – far more than the 6.5 percent in non-RTW states.

• Ifastateisnotaright-to-workstate,mostcompanies will not even consider locating or relocating their business in that state. Pennsylvania now ranks amongst the least business friendly in the nation (39 out of 50, according to a recent report).

Individual freedom is the cornerstone of our constitution. The idea that a person who wants to work can only do so if they pay a fee to a union should be reprehensible – not law.

It’s been said that insanity is “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Well, it’s time to stop the insanity. Pennsylvania will never attract business expansion until we enact right-to-work legislation. n

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