Wagner, DiSanto, Brooks Introduce Bipartisan Reform to Reduce State Regulation

HARRISBURG – Senators from around Pennsylvania are proposing to crack down on excessive state government regulations through a bipartisan reform measure introduced in the state Senate.

Senators Scott Wagner (R-York), John DiSanto (R-Dauphin/Perry) and Michele Brooks (R-Crawford/Erie/Mercer/Warren) along with 14 other senators are seeking to count, cap and reduce the number of regulations in Pennsylvania.

The senators observed how the regulatory environment in Pennsylvania is holding back Pennsylvania businesses and individuals from succeeding in their fields. “We are chasing jobs out of this state because small businesses are buried in red tape,” Wagner noted, also identifying how there are more than 200 regulations in Pennsylvania on the use and design of ladders.

“Government does not create jobs, but it can prevent their creation,” DiSanto said. “My own experience as a business owner proves this out. Many Pennsylvanians have shared with me how excessive government red tape discourages innovation and investment that would grow our economy. Time would be better spent on producing goods and serving customers than on completing paperwork and jumping through regulatory hoops with no real value to anyone except the entrenched bureaucracy.”

The bill institutes a “one-in, two-out” regulatory model. That means for every new requirement in a Pennsylvania regulation, two must be eliminated. After six years, “one-in, two-out” would be replaced by “one-in, one-out.” The cosponsors point to the success of similar policies in British Columbia and at a national level in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, as evidence that this proposal can control bureaucratic growth and kick start the economy.

The legislation also tallies the number of requirements on individuals and businesses already established by regulation, and creates a searchable public database of all of them.

“Consistently, I hear that over-reaching regulations are creating undue burdens on our farmers, local governments, business owners, and so many others. This legislation is an important step in identifying and rolling back bureaucratic red tape that is stifling our agriculture industry, communities, and job growth,” Brooks said. “By loosening the grip of government, we can help to free innovators and investors from regulatory over-reach, and cultivate economic growth and new jobs.” 

 “It’s time we empower Pennsylvanians to succeed,” declared Wagner. “With a state that has an unemployment rate higher than the national average, we need bold solutions to get our economy rolling. That starts with reducing our state’s regulatory burden.”

Senate Bill 1102 was referred to the Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee.

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