Wentling Backs Bills Supporting Pennsylvania’s Small Business Owners
HARRISBURG – Rep. Parke Wentling (R-Mercer) has cosponsored nine separate pieces of legislation earmarked by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) to help Pennsylvania’s small businesses. In addition, Wentling is the prime sponsor of two more bills aimed to aid Pennsylvania employers. They address some of the biggest challenges facing small businesses, which includes covering startup costs and cutting excessive red tape.
“Whether it’s our ice cream shops or financial firms, small businesses are the backbone of our Commonwealth,” Wentling said. “We must do everything in our power to make sure that these employers are given every chance to succeed. When small businesses thrive, the rest of us thrive. These bills I’m backing will help the Commonwealth’s businesses do just that.”
Wentling’s repeal of the frozen dessert law,
House Bill 953, has overwhelmingly passed the House. It would eliminate the need for a costly test currently required by a law from 1965. Other laws and regulations ensuring the safety of frozen desserts remain in effect. It now sits in the Senate for consideration.
Wentling has also introduced a bill that would modernize the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA), which provides low-interest loans and lines of credit to businesses looking to expand or invest in the Commonwealth. It’s
House Bill 1511, the updated version of House Bill 2783 which passed unanimously last session.
“Rep. Parke Wentling has been a stalwart when it has come to small business issues before the General Assembly,” said Greg Moreland, Pennsylvania State Director for NFIB. “Harrisburg needs more elected officials, like Parke, who understand the burdens government places on small business. Rep. Wentling has been a vocal supporter of Main Street businesses since he came to Harrisburg and we are happy to have him in office, where he can positively affect the conversation.”
In addition to his own legislation, Wentling has cosponsored nine bills and one resolution that supports small businesses.
House Bill 60 would create a simpler and more certain business tax environment.
House Bill 81 would amend the state Tax Reform Code to provide for the cost, or percent, depletion of mines, oil and gas wells, and other natural deposits, in conformity with federal law.
House Bill 166 would reduce the Personal Income Tax (PIT) rate in Pennsylvania from 3.07% to 2.99%. The PIT was previously 2.99% but was increased during the Rendell Administration. It would be reduced over a two-year period.
House Bill 545 would ensure small businesses have aggregate claims data to make fully informed decisions on which insurer’s proposal to accept at rate renewal.
House Bill 555 would provide an option for small businesses to band together while negotiating health care coverage. This will allow them to get more competitive rates while minimizing the costs for each individual business.
House Bill 701 would expand tax strategies for small businesses, allowing more flexibility when deducting net losses.
House Bill 886 would remove barriers for using the Direct Primary Care model, which replaces the fee-for-service health care model with a set monthly fee.
House Bills 995 and
997 respond to the challenges facing Pennsylvania’s dairy farmers. House Bill 995 would provide tax incentives to locate new dairy processing plants in Pennsylvania. House Bill 997 would ensure Pennsylvania students have access to local whole milk.
House Resolution 56 would have designated May 20, 2023, as "National Federation of Independent Business Day" in Pennsylvania.