Reining in Red Tape: Policy Committee Holds Hearing on Pennsylvania’s Regulatory Burden
HARRISBURG—Today, Policy Committee Chairman David H. Rowe (R-Snyder/Union/Mifflin/Juniata) and other lawmakers held a public hearing, “Reining in Regulations to Unleash Pennsylvania’s Potential,” to examine the impact of excessive regulations on economic growth, job creation, and government accountability in Pennsylvania.
The hearing featured testimony from Emily Greene, Pennsylvania state director, Americans for Prosperity, and Kevin Kane, director, Legislative Strategy, Commonwealth Foundation, who both underscored how Pennsylvania’s over 164,000 regulatory restrictions—the 14th highest in the nation—are driving businesses, jobs, and families out of the state.
As Greene said in her testimony “[Pennsylvania is competing] with states like New York, New Jersey, and California for a race to the bottom—or, a race to see who can regulate their state out of business.”
According to the Commonwealth Foundation, by reducing its regulatory requirements by 36 percent, Pennsylvania could see an increase of $9.2 billion in gross domestic product (GDP). That amounts to $1,760 per household and the equivalent of 180,000 new jobs each year. “Our commonwealth deserves the transformative potential of streamlining regulations for Pennsylvania’s economy,” said Kane.
“Regulatory delays are costing Pennsylvania huge investments while also burdening small businesses with compliance costs and uncertainty,” said Rowe. “Restoring legislative oversight and reducing bureaucratic hurdles are essential to reversing economic stagnation and preserving the American dream for future generations here in Pennsylvania.”
Introduced in the House by Rep. Dallas Kephart (R-Cambria/Clearfield), the REINS Act (Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny) was discussed as one possible avenue for rightsizing the state’s regulations by requiring economically significant regulations to receive legislative approval.
“For too long, unelected bureaucrats have imposed costly regulations with zero accountability,” said Kephart. “The REINS Act puts the power back where it belongs—into the hands of the people's elected representatives. This bill is about restoring transparency, reining in runaway government, and protecting our economy from death by red tape."
Representative David H. Rowe
85th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Nancy Nilson
717.787.3443
nnilson@pahousegop.com
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