Pennsylvania’s Transportation and Infrastructure Crisis: Time for Legislative Action As the State House and Senate return for their remaining voting days this year, one major piece of overdue legislation demands immediate attention-Act 89. Passed a decade ago, Act 89 was one of the most comprehensive transportation packages in Pennsylvania’s history. It provided funding for public…
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Recently, U.S. District Judge Ada Brown in Dallas blocked a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule aimed at banning non-compete agreements that employees typically sign. Judge Brown ruled that the FTC does not have the authority to eliminate practices it considers unfair competition through broad regulations. This decision follows a temporary ban imposed in July while she…
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The FTC Ban on Fake Reviews and the Use of Bots: Implications for Small Businesses The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has made an important move to ensure transparency and honesty in online reviews by banning deceptive practices that manipulate consumer opinions. This ban focuses on fake reviews and the use of bots to create…
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Testimony given on August 21, 2024 Good morning. My name is Dan DeBone, President/CEO of the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce. I want to begin by thanking Majority Chair Ed Nelson, Minority Chair Kerry Benninghoff, and Secretary of Transportation Mike Carroll for the opportunity to share my thoughts on how we can move Pennsylvania forward…
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The Critical Role of Child Care in Boosting Economic Development and Supporting Small Business Employment Access to quality child care is a significant yet often overlooked factor that influences economic growth and the sustainability of small businesses. For small business owners and employers, understanding the vital role that reliable childcare services play in the workforce…
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Summer Brings Progress: A Note from the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce on the 2024-2025 State Budget As the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce approaches the summer months, the anticipation of a completed state budget around July 1st is always an interesting, albeit at times nail-biting, experience. Although this year’s budget wasn’t finalized until the…
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Securing Funding for PA’s Critical Bridge Improvements By Dan DeBone, President/CEO, Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce Bridges provide crucial access between regions and cities, linking workers to jobs, goods to markets, and people to essential services. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), transportation agencies need $70.9 billion to overcome the current backlog of…
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Op Ed: Reforming NOL Provisions is Crucial for Pennsylvania’s Economic Future by Dan DeBone, President/CEO of the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce As Pennsylvania’s budget discussions and negotiations continue, there is an urgent issue that needs immediate attention: the state’s outdated and restrictive Net Operating Loss (NOL) carryforward provisions. For too long, Pennsylvania has…
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Our Region’s Business with Bill Flanagan- A Collaborative Effort by Westmoreland County Chamber, Trying Together & Duolingo The Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce recently featured on “Our Region’s Business” with Bill Flanagan, showcased its commitment to addressing the critical issue of childcare accessibility and affordability in the region. In collaboration with Chamber member Trying…
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FEATURED ARTICLE: FTF Bans Non-Competes As the President of the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce, it’s important for me to keep you informed about regulatory changes that could impact your businesses. One such change that I want to bring to your attention is the recent decision by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to ban most…
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