Joint statement of Pennsylvania Business Managers of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), Anthony Seiwell, Ryan N. Boyer, and Philip Ameris, on Governor Wolf’s veto of House Bill 1100.

Harrisburg, Pa. (March 27, 2020) – In response to Governor Wolf vetoing House Bill 1100, Pennsylvania’s LIUNA leaders made the following statement:

We are very disappointed to learn that Governor Wolf has vetoed House Bill 1100 in the thick of an economic crisis leaving both workers and businesses struggling.

As we extend our support and cooperation in the COVID-19 relief efforts, House Bill 1100 and the establishment of the Energy and Fertilizer Manufacturing Tax Credit remains a priority for LIUNA members and other blue-collar workers throughout Pennsylvania.

We are sympathetic to the unprecedented situation that Governor Wolf is currently navigating. He made the difficult decision to close many businesses including a majority of construction, but at the same time, he quickly expanded unemployment eligibility. However, the day will come where the state needs to shift from providing unemployment resources to creating job opportunities.

In a recent analysis by the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association, it is estimated that the two companies that have publicly expressed interest in developing new manufacturing facilities if House Bill 1100 becomes law will collectively create over 2,000 prevailing wage, construction- related jobs and over 1,000 direct and indirect manufacturing jobs.

Economic investment will also stimulate the economy while businesses return to normal operations after prolonged closures. The Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association found that the combined initial economic investment from both companies developing under House Bill 1100 totals $954 billion and a 30-month economic output of $812.2 million.

House Bill 1100 is essential to Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 economic recovery. When Pennsylvania is ready and able to move forward from COVID-19, it will need to advance measures that strengthen and support economic investment and job creation. We are hopeful that House Bill 1100 can be considered a critical part of these efforts, and we look forward to working with Governor Wolf and the bipartisan legislative majority in support of House Bill 1100 at that time.

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The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Mid-Atlantic Region represents more than 40,000 working men and women predominantly in the construction industry in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, Virginia and North Carolina