Post by The Main Line Chamber of Commerce

The Main Line Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee presented a Breakfast with Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton, hosted by Saint Joseph's University at the beautiful Frances M. Maguire Art Museum, the former site of the Barnes Foundation in Merion Station. Speaker McClinton has broken barriers throughout her career—becoming the first woman and first African American elected House Democratic Caucus Chair, the first woman elected House Democratic Leader, and in 2023, the first woman elected Speaker of the Pennsylvania House. Her message was clear: Southeast Pennsylvania is the economic engine of our Commonwealth, generating more than 40% of Pennsylvania’s revenue. To keep our region and state competitive, we must continue investing in the building blocks of economic growth—education, workforce development, infrastructure, transit, and business attraction. Among the key themes she highlighted: • Preparing students for the jobs of the future and ensuring our workforce remains highly skilled • Making Pennsylvania a more affordable and competitive place in which to live and do business through tax reform and targeted tax credits • Supporting working families through investments in childcare and early childhood education • Continuing efforts to create more equitable school funding so every student has the opportunity to succeed • Prioritizing sustainable investment in SEPTA and public transit, recognizing that access to transportation is access to jobs, healthcare, and opportunity • Balancing innovation and growth in areas like AI and data centers while safeguarding communities from unintended impacts on utility costs and local resources One comment that resonated with the audience: “We can’t just plug holes. We need to make investments.” Economic growth, workforce readiness, educational opportunity, and quality of life are all interconnected. The conversations we have today about where and how we invest will shape Pennsylvania’s future for generations to come. Thank you, Speaker McClinton, for sharing your perspective and engaging with our business and community leaders. #MainLineChamber #GovernmentAffairs #Leadership #EconomicDevelopment #WorkforceDevelopment #Education #PublicPolicy #Pennsylvania #GreaterPhiladelphia Bernard Dagenais Cheryl McConnell