PENN TWP — Five state legislators shared their views with business owners and others who attended the annual Legislative Breakfast on Friday at the Butler Country Club.

The event gives legislators a forum to discuss current issues at the state level and hear questions and concerns from community leaders on various subjects.

This year, the legislators had much to say about the unique situations created over the past year during the coronavirus pandemic.

State Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-21st, summed up the thoughts of all the panel members upon opening the panel members' presentations.

“We've been through a lot in the last 14 months,” Hutchinson said.

He said residents have stepped up to the plate, small businesses have thought outside of the box to keep their shops afloat and health care workers have rushed into dangerous situations to care for the sick.

“Things are on the upswing for sure, but we certainly have challenges,” Hutchinson said.

He highlighted how employers are struggling to find enough workers to effectively operate their businesses, and said furloughed workers are making more money by staying home and collecting unemployment and government stimulus checks than they would had they returned to work.

Hutchinson said another important issue is liability protection for employers, so they are not exposed to litigation by people who say they were negatively affected because their business was open during the pandemic.

He also touted the need for broadband throughout Pennsylvania, so even the most rural residents and businesses will have internet service.

“The pandemic has shown how critical it is for people to be connected,” Hutchinson said.

He also said the state's computer data centers should be exempted from sales tax, which is a huge expense because the centers are constantly replacing computer servers.

Hutchinson said the state's tax climate should be improved to help small businesses, grow the economy and advance sectors of the economy that show promise.

Appreciates model

State Sen. Joe Pittman, R-41st, said he appreciates the growth model shown by the Butler County commissioners, particularly in their efforts related to improving Routes 228 and 356 in the southern part of the county.

Pittman said he does not agree with Gov. Tom Wolf's carbon tax, which he said would amount to $500 million from energy plants that emit carbon, such as natural gas and coal plants.

“We will lose our competitiveness as an electrical power exporter,” he said.

Pittman said carbon emissions have dropped in Pennsylvania, mainly because of shale gas drilling.

Hutchinson chimed in by saying Wolf wants to enact the carbon tax of his own volition.

“He is trying to implement it without legislative approval,” he said.

An audience member asked where nuclear power falls in the clean energy debate, and Pittman responded that nuclear plants are aging and gas-powered electric plants are cleaner and more efficient at producing electricity.

Attempt to join RGGI

State Rep. Tim Bonner, R-8th, lamented Wolf's attempt to join the 11-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) without legislative approval.

Bonner said all other states in RGGI were approved by vote in their respective general assemblies.

He also said Pennsylvania's businesses face too many regulations, including 163,000 developed by state agencies. Bonner called the web of regulations “a minefield” for business owners.

He said the state House passed a measure that would require each state agency to employ an individual who business leaders can approach with questions and a website where the agency's progress can be tracked.

Regarding COVID-19, Bonner said doctors, hospitals and nursing homes should not face lawsuits when trying to stem the spread of an unknown virus, whether by trying experimental treatments or by other means.

“This virus is a novel virus,” Bonner said. “We never faced it before.”

He also decried the amount of unemployment given to those furloughed during the pandemic, saying they received 79 weeks of benefits instead of the normal 26 plus federal bonuses.

“That's $21 an hour to sit home and do nothing,” Bonner said.

He said legislation was passed last week to eliminate the waiver on looking for work while collecting unemployment benefits.

Bonner also said he and the state House Republican Caucus disagree with the legalization of marijuana, which he said has created addiction and other issues in the 15 states where it is legalized.

Lack of workers

State Rep. Aaron Bernstine, R-10th, joined his colleagues in complaining about the lack of workers statewide, which he also believes is because workers are making more on unemployment.

“It's totally unacceptable,” he said. “The problem with government subsidies is these activities.”

Bernstine said he favors Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' decision to eliminate additional bonuses to unemployment benefits or only make the bonus available to those who get and keep a job.

State Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, outlined the committees she sits on in the House and the issues being tackled in each.

She said the transportation committee is very important to Butler County because of the growth in the southern tier.

“But you can't ignore the growth in northern Butler County,” Mustello said.

She also said grants for pandemic recovery should be spent on repairing bridges across the state instead of placing tolls on the spans.

Antiquated policies

Regarding the liquor control committee, Mustello said the state's antiquated liquor policies and laws should be updated, and that liquor licenses should be sold from one county to another instead of only within individual counties.

As a member of the House Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee, Mustello said she wants to bring the FFA, formerly the Future Farmers of America, back to the Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School.

“We need to keep young people engaged in agriculture,” Mustello said.

She also sits on the human services committee, where she is seeing increased addiction and mental health issues.

Mustello praised Butler County's Human Services department for the steps it has taken to improve the lives of all county residents.

“We really need to work together to continue what Butler County has started,” she said.

The 2021 Legislative Breakfast was hosted by the Butler County Chamber of Commerce.