Rob Wonderling, a former state senator and current president of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, stressed the importance of growing Pennsylvania’s population, an in turn, its economy, during Monday’s monthly Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon.

 

Wonderling used the forum to pitch the chamber’s “Grow Pennsylvania” agenda, which focuses on growing the state’s population while also making it an attractive place for business, entrepreneurship, and job candidates.

Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) joined legislators and members of Local 66 to unveil “Energize PA,” a package of eight bills he said will create jobs and redevelop infrastructure with no additional fees or taxes. 

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman told lawmakers Monday that his recreational marijuana listening tour has uncovered broad support for the practice across the state but stressed the administration has not formally taken a position on the matter.

At a joint House and Senate Democratic Policy Committee hearing on the topic, Fetterman pegged support for legalizing marijuana at “65 to 70 percent” based off the 50 counties he has visited thus far. 

A House committee approved Monday a controversial expansion of the state’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit, which proponents argue would help satiate high demand for the school choice instrument.

The proposal, authored by House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), would increase the EITC’s funding cap from $160 million to $260, and includes an escalator to continue boosting the cap as long as 90 percent of credits were claimed in the prior year.

On Monday morning, Governor Tom Wolf was joined by legislators, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and others to release the state’s new climate action plan and announce that Pennsylvania will be joining the US Climate Alliance.