The Merit Shop Advocacy Blog

Advocacy Update: ABC Issues at the Forefront

On March 15, the legislature returned from the “budget break” that allowed the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to hold public hearings on the governor’s proposed budget. In the months ahead, the state budget will be negotiated, along with many other priority bills. ABC of Pennsylvania will be pushing to get our priorities added to that list.is proposing to tax the Marcellus Shale, which ABC of Pennsylvania is on record as opposing. Other highlights include:

March 26, 2021

Advocacy Update: Marching On

On February 4, Governor Tom Wolf publicly released his 2021-22 proposed budget. The nearly $40 billion budget will fund the state from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022. The budget represents a 12% increase over last year. Not surprisingly, the governor again is proposing to tax the Marcellus Shale, which ABC of Pennsylvania is on record as opposing. Other highlights include:

March 18, 2021

Message from the President CEO ABC Keystone March 2021

Message from the President-CEO: Elections Have Consequences. You Better Buckle Up!

I know, after every election, we hate to hear the phrase ”Elections have Consequences.” Well, the next phrase I’m going to share is just as relevant, and if you have been around ABC very long, you may also get tired of this phrase over the next few years. “Get into politics or get out of business.” For today, I want to focus on politics at the Federal level, because, from a political perspective, it is at this level your business is the most vulnerable. Read more…

March 9, 2021

Advocacy Update: ABC’s Roadmap in 2021

The new year is well undersay, and the government affairs staff has been mapping out an efficient travel guide for the long haul. Though it is a new session with roughly 30 new legislators entering office, ABC’s messaging remains the same – fighting for merit shop principles. The newly installed ABC of Pennsylvania Board of Directors has established our 2021 legislative agenda, which is broken into three categories:

February 23, 2021

Advocacy Update: Anti-Merit Shop Bill Re-Introduced in Congress

During the campaign, then candidate Joe Biden said that he would be the “strongest labor president” if elected. Coming through on that promise, the President is in the process of forming a cabinet level working group made up of union representatives charged with delivering a plan to, “dramatically increase union density and address economic inequality.”

February 22, 2021

Advocacy Update: Embarking on a New Direction

Happy New Year! It is safe to say we are all grateful 2020 is behind us. Despite COVID-19, we were able to accomplish a great deal on behalf of our members last year. You can read more about those accomplishments via our annual legislative report found on the abcpa.org website.

January 21, 2021

ABC of Pennsylvania Releases Annual Government Affairs Report

Despite COVID-19, ABC was able to accomplish a great deal on behalf of our members last year. The government affairs team is pleased to provide an inaugural annual report on the legislative and political actions ABC conducted in 2020. Some highlights include:

January 5, 2021

Advocacy Update: Election Recap and Help Us Improve Our Advocacy Program

The 2020 General Election is now behind us. Much like in 2016, the polls were wrong in many respects. In a year when Democrats were projected to win big, the “blue wave” flopped. Democratic operatives were looking to flip control of state legislatures to dictate re-districting processes next year. As it turns out, only two state legislative chambers changed control, both in New Hampshire, and both flipped from Democrat to Republican. Overall, Republicans outperformed expectations, gaining seats both in the U.S. Congress and in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

November 21, 2020

Advocacy Update: Thankful for Engaged Members

Thank you for your service and membership with ABC! It is safe to say the start of the new decade did not go as anyone intended. Our members continue to manage the effects of the pandemic and are concerned about business prospects in 2021. Despite these challenges, ABC chapters and members have been more active in our advocacy efforts than ever before. In fact, during and after the shutdown, our grassroots network grew by nearly 50 percent. Thank you!

November 3, 2020

Make Your Voice Heard: VOTE

ABC is committed to keep you informed and connected to resources leading up to Election Day. Your voice and your vote matters! Many of you have already performed your civic duty by casting your vote through the mail. For that, we thank you. Others are planning to vote in-person at the polls. We thank you in advance.

November 2, 2020

Election Day is Approaching Fast

ABC is committed to keep you informed and connected to resources leading up to Election Day. Your voice and your vote matters! We are less than one week from the Election Day. If you have not voted yet, we want to make sure you are connected to the resources and information you need to cast a ballot. Discover resources.

October 26, 2020

Champions of Free Enterprise

ABC is committed to keep you informed and connected to resources leading up to Election Day. Your voice and your vote matters! In even-numbered years, the five regional ABC chapters that make up “ABC Pennsylvania” go through a process to review and recommend candidates to support for office. As a service to our members, we posted the full list of those candidates we believe will defend free enterprise and the merit shop philosophy. View the endorsements.

October 18, 2020

Advocacy Update: Supporting our Policy Champions

This month, you heard from ABC Keystone’s Board Chair on the consequences of elections. Keeping with that theme, this article will touch on endorsed candidates and the importance of supporting those individuals for office.

October 14, 2020

Voting Options During COVID-19

ABC is committed to keep you informed and connected to resources leading up to Election Day. Your voice and your vote matters! If you are a new voter or unsure if you are registered to vote, you can check your voter registration status by clicking here. The last day to register to vote before the election is Monday, October 19. View helpful resources.

October 13, 2020

A Message from the ABC Keystone Chair of the Board

Message from the Chair: Elections Have Consequences

The COVID-19 pandemic, the ensuing public health issues, and the economic shutdown have been front and center in most of our lives since the end of February this year. President Trump, the CDC and Congress issued many new guidelines and restrictions to control the spread of the virus. Many of these federal mandates were designed to allow for state or local representatives to enact additional restrictions based on the regional virus outbreak as needed. In March, our Pennsylvania Governor closed schools, ordered citizens to shelter at home, and closed all “non-essential” businesses.

October 5, 2020

Keeping You Informed on Legislative Matters that Affect Your Business