PRINTER'S NO. 3394
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
222
Session of
2022
INTRODUCED BY COOK, O'NEAL, RYAN, GILLEN, CAUSER, MALONEY,
SILVIS, KAUFER, RADER, KAIL, JAMES, WARNER, MENTZER, SMITH,
WENTLING, SANKEY, SCHNEE, SCHMITT, RAPP, ROAE, DAVANZO,
ARMANINI, E. NELSON, KAUFFMAN, PICKETT, RIGBY, TOPPER,
PENNYCUICK, B. MILLER, HELM, GREINER, MIHALEK, BOBACK AND
MAJOR, JULY 18, 2022
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, JULY 18, 2022
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish an
advisory committee and provide a report to the House of
Representatives on preventing and countering inflation and
supply chain challenges in this Commonwealth.
WHEREAS, The high costs of energy and food are devastating
household budgets across this Commonwealth, including the
farmers who produce the food and the truckers who deliver it to
grocery store shelves; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvanians are experiencing empty shelves of
essential goods; and
WHEREAS, In May 2022, prices rose by 8.6% year-over-year,
increasing over the previous month's 8.3% year-over-year
increase; and
WHEREAS, Food prices in May 2022 were 10.1% greater than
prices in May 2021; and
WHEREAS, Energy prices went up 34.6% in May 2022, the eighth
month in a row above 25%; and
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WHEREAS, Retail prices for gasoline have doubled since
January 2021; and
WHEREAS, Energy, tax and regulatory policies play a role in
driving up food, gas and electric prices; and
WHEREAS, Government policies that disincentivize work and
regulations that discourage energy development, increase costs
to consumers and hinder the supply chain should be explored for
their impact and possible revision or repeal; and
WHEREAS, There are 3.2 million fewer people in the labor
force today than before the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, Fifty-one percent of employers are reporting job
openings they cannot fill; and
WHEREAS, Shortages of skilled and unskilled labor in
manufacturing and distribution continue to impact output and
capacity; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to establish an advisory committee
and provide a report to the House of Representatives on
preventing and countering inflation and supply chain challenges
in this Commonwealth; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission appoint
members of the advisory committee consisting of:
(1) a representative from a Statewide agriculture
organization;
(2) a representative from a Statewide trucking
organization;
(3) a representative from a Statewide manufacturing
organization;
(4) a representative from a Statewide small business
organization;
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(5) a representative from a Statewide food merchants
association;
(6) a representative from a Statewide motor fuel or
petroleum association;
(7) a representative from a Statewide energy producer
association;
(8) a representative from a Statewide natural gas
association; and
(9) a representative from a Statewide career and
technical education association; and
(10) a representative from a statewide workforce
development association; and
(11) a representative from Pennsylvania's maritime
shipping industry;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, working
with the advisory committee, conduct a comprehensive review and
analysis of laws, regulations, policies and procedures of this
Commonwealth and other states regarding best policies and
practices for preventing and countering inflation and supply
chain challenges; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the review and analysis consist of the
following:
(1) supply chain challenges and recommendations for
regulatory relief or repeal to alleviate supply chain
constraints;
(2) cost-drivers of consumer goods, fuel, energy and
essential items, such as food and energy, and recommendations
for regulatory relief or repeal for bringing costs down;
(3) workforce challenges impacting the supply chain and
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recommendations to meet workforce demands;
(4) recommendations to increase the supply and improve
the delivery of this Commonwealth's natural energy resources
to consumers; and
(5) any other regulatory or policy changes recommended
by the advisory committee relating to preventing and
countering inflation and supply chain challenges;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the advisory committee meet a minimum of four
times; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue a
report of the advisory committee's findings and recommendations
to the House of Representatives no later than six months from
the adoption of this resolution.
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