Postcard from the PIOGA and Washington County Chamber of Commerce

On January 12, 2023, the Pennsylvania Independent Oil & Gas Association (PIOGA) and Washington County Chamber of Commerce sponsored a State and Federal Legislative Forecast Breakfast. 

It was moderated by PIOGA Board member Ben Wallace of Penneco Oil Company, and the panel consisted of Alex Halper (Director, Governmental Affairs of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry), Jezree Friend (AVP, External Relations of the Manufacturer & Business Association) and Charlie Gerow (CEO of Quantum Communications).

The Pennsylvania legislative environment is currently politically divided, with the state legislature being controlled by Republicans, and the Governor’s office being held by Democrat Josh Shapiro. This can lead to difficulty in passing legislation, as the two sides often have different priorities.  A twist has been added with the newly elected Speaker of the House, Mark Rozzi, who is a Democrat.  However, it is rumored that in the negotiations for his leadership, he pledged to change his party affiliation to Independent. Mr. Rozzi has noted that his legislative plan is to complete a bill and then move on, rather than working on several bills at a time.  His top priority as Speaker is to see that the state opens a window for justice to allow adult survivors of childhood sex abuse to sue their abusers. 

Given the slim majority in the House and a controversial bill that could bottleneck progress, don’t expect much from the PA House this year.  Overall, the legislative environment in Pennsylvania is complex and dynamic, with a wide range of issues and interests being represented. The status of the legislative environment is constantly changing, and it's important to stay informed and up-to-date on the latest developments.

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