Page 19 - Chester County Chamber - 2023 Guide & Membership Directory

Advocacy, Connections & Community | chescochamber.org
ADVOCATING FOR
BETTER CHILDCARE OPTIONS
This year, CCCBI helped address one issue that is actively affecting nearly every business and employee: the childcare crisis. CCCBI President and CEO Laura Manion spearheaded a statewide initiative to implore the Pennsylvania General Assembly and Governor Shapiro Administration to address the crisis surrounding accessible and affordable childcare. With the help of the presidents from the Delaware and Westmoreland Chambers of Commerce, over 50 Chamber organizations across the Commonwealth signed on to a joint letter to PA’s legislation.
The overwhelming support of 55 Chambers across the state,
in addition to the PA Economic Development Association,
reflects the hard work and dedication CCCBI undertook to lead
this crucial campaign. The grassroots initiative garnered the attention of Chambers varying in size, across every region of the Commonwealth, including larger Chambers such as the Chamber
of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia and the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, to help drive the necessity for new legislation. Collectively, the Chambers came together and worked with their respective employer-members to outline four solutions to be considered by elected officials.
In January of 2023, Manion wrote an op-ed in a local newspaper on the issue, and the response was resoundingly positive, with hundreds of thousands of views. In March, she testified before
the House Children & Youth Committee Informational Meeting
on the Challenges with Childcare in Pennsylvania, alongside representatives from the Pennsylvania Chamber, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children
(PennAEYC), Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PCCA), and two providers. She continued her advocacy in June by testifying in front of the House Finance Committee on a bill that would extend the current childcare tax credit, co-sponsored by Rep. Melissa Shusterman, one of Chester County’s state representatives.
President Manion and on-staff lobbying firm Wanner & Associates have spent much of their time meeting with Republican and Democrat officials in both the House and Senate to discuss childcare bills for next session, once a budget is negotiated and the legislature is back to business. Additionally, they’ve been meeting with larger companies and Chester County government officials
to discuss on-site care options that may be viable with creative solutions, such as low-interest loans for large companies and leftover ARPA funding for county governments.
CCCBI’s continued dedication to advocacy for member businesses has set it apart from other chambers across Chester County and
set it forward as a leadership model for other Chambers across
the state. The structural changes that have plagued businesses post-COVID-19 have only strengthened CCCBI in its pursuit to support its membership and local community. The changes in Chamber leadership and staff, rebranded logo and website, and full commitment to advocacy have organically grown the Chamber’s membership and garnered attention from the community as CCCBI continues to move forward.
RAISING THE BAR SINCE 1968
EXPERIENCED DEDICATED RELIABLE
BUSINESS LAW
BANKING & FINANCE
COMMERCIAL & CIVIL LITIGATION MUNICIPAL & GOVERNMENTAL TRUSTS & ESTATE ADMINISTRATION REAL ESTATE
LAND USE & ZONING
PERSONAL INJURY
HEALTHCARE LAW
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