Building a Better Future for Berks County:
The Schwank Plan to Get Berks Back to Work
• Start an ongoing dialogue with business and industry leaders to understand what they need to retain and grow jobs -- I will meet with key employers, small business and labor leaders to get their insight on the changing picture of unemployment in Berks County and determine how they are addressing current and future workforce needs. For as long as I am your Senator, the job creators in our community will have a seat at the table.
• Increase the state's Job Creation Tax Credit -- I will reintroduce Senator O'Pake's legislation to increase the Job Creation Tax Credit from $1,000 to $3,000 per job created. This economic development tool would distinguish Pennsylvania from other states in the Mid-Atlantic Region and bring jobs to our region.
• Cut state taxes that impede economic development -- I will work to cut state taxes that hurt business, such as the Corporate Net Income Tax (CNI). Responsible reduction of these taxes will make our Commonwealth an even more attractive place for businesses to locate.
• Cut the red tape -- I will create an economic development team within my Senate offices in Reading and Harrisburg to assist local businesses in navigating state bureaucracy, streamlining permitting, and cutting through government red tape.
• Leverage state resources -- I will utilize any and all state resources—both financial and technical—to help local businesses that are job creators. Over the past decade Senator O'Pake helped secure more than $265 million for Berks County economic development projects creating or retaining tens of thousands of jobs.
• Support and strengthen State Economic Development Centers -- I will be an advocate for state-funded programs like the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Ben Franklin Technology Partners. These programs provide small businesses and entrepreneurs with resources to grow existing, or develop new business ventures. In the last two years, a state investment of only $2.4 million in Berks County helped create or retain 270 jobs.
• Champion state funding for job training -- The only way we can attract businesses that are looking to expand or relocate is to have a skilled workforce. Last year, the state invested $21.6 million in job training programs that we must continue. As your Senator, I will insist that our commitment to workforce education be upheld or increased in the 2011-2012 budget.
• Support funding for the transportation infrastructure - Berks County, like the rest of Pennsylvania, has aging bridges and roads. I will work to ensure that the safety and traffic capacity of these vital transportation links are adequately funded for repair, replacement and maintenance. I will work with local economic development and municipal officials to address major traffic problems like Routes 222 and 422. A commitment from the state to repair Berks County's bridges and roads would create thousands of jobs.
• Ensure accountability for government investments -- When our tax dollars are used to support projects that promise to retain or create jobs we need to ensure that that those promises are fulfilled. I will insist that we track funding and require a commitment to repay state funds in the event that reasonable job creation goals are not met.
• Support sustainable businesses - I will actively support state investments in development that uses land, energy, water and materials sustainably. I will prioritize the redevelopment and revitalization of the City and our boroughs that will help to build the tax base of these communities.
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Dan DeMarco for Pennsylvania State Senateby Democrats4PASenate781 views
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