Amna Nadeem is excited about starting her job as a software engineer at Google. She interned with the company last fall — remotely. But beginning mid-April, the 22-year-old recent college graduate will be going into the office at least three days a week. So gas prices, which have inched up toward $6 per gallon in …
High gas prices present another hurdle in bringing workers back to the office Read More »
Like so many businesses over the past two years, the child care industry has been whipsawed by the covid pandemic and its impact on the economy. Some parents working from home or leaving their jobs have pulled their children from child care, which creates openings — if the centers can find sufficient staffing. But workers …
Covid pandemic puts pressure on Pittsburgh region’s child care services Read More »
As 2022 begins, the demand for natural gas and oil isn’t going away — in fact, it’s growing. As economic activity bounces back, the demand for natural gas and oil has outpaced available supply. This imbalance, combined with misguided policy decisions that create uncertainty in the energy sector, has put upward pressure on the cost …
Oil and Gas Keep America, Pennsylvania Competitive Read More »
Since the end of Prohibition, Pennsylvania has maintained control over sales of booze. And Republicans don’t like it. In a latest attempt to dismantle the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, State Rep. Natalie Mihalek has proposed a constitutional amendment to ban the state from selling alcohol. If it passes the state Senate and House, it will …
Is It Time For Pennsylvania to Get Out of the Booze Business? | Pro/Con Read More »
Impact fees collected for 2021 from Pennsylvania’s shale gas wells are projected to bounce back from the previous year’s record low to the highest level in three years. A new report from the Independent Fiscal Office credits a surge in natural gas prices for driving impact fees to an estimated $233.8 million for 2021. The total …
NEW YORK (AP) — Fueled by pay gains, solid hiring and enhanced savings, Americans sharply ramped up their spending at retail stores last month in a sign that many consumers remain unfazed by rising inflation. Retail sales jumped 3.8% from December to January, the Commerce Department said Wednesday, a much bigger increase than economists had …
January Retail Sales Surge 3.8% as Consumers Defy Inflation Read More »
U.S. Reps. Fred Keller (R-PA) and James Comer (R-KY) led a group of Congressmembers in expressing concern over plans by the President Joe Biden Administration to export energy to Europe during a domestic energy crisis. In a letter sent to the President, Keller and Comer said they were concerned that U.S. liquified natural gas (LNG) …
In the twilight of his final term, Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday gave his last budget address to members of the General Assembly, looking to cement his legacy as a governor devoted to boosting funding for education while also trying to reach a few long-sought policy goals that have eluded him throughout his seven years …
Wolf Reflects on Legacy, Unveils $43.7B Spending Plan in Last Budget Address Read More »
Dissatisfaction with government regulation of businesses has reached a record high among Americans, a new Gallup poll shows. The survey found 60 percent of Americans were dissatisfied with such regulations, a figure that includes 29 percent who want less regulation, 18 percent who want more regulation and 13 percent who are dissatisfied but said such measures should …
Satisfaction with Government Regulation of Businesses at Record Low: Gallup Read More »
We live in rapidly changing times, especially for business. While we remain optimistic about our economic recovery, we continue to be plagued by pandemic-related challenges from government directives, workforce shortages, labor market issues, and supply-chain disruptions. The Omicron variant of COVID-19 and November’s record high annual inflation of 6.8 percent have also been a blow …
BARR: Prioritizing Long-Term Economic Growth in the New Year Read More »