Today, a final hearing was held in Harrisburg by Rep. John Schlegel (R-Lebanon) and the House Republican Policy Committee, led by Rep. Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington), focusing on the widespread impact of inflation on communities, small businesses, and households across Pennsylvania.
The session, titled “Relief is Possible: Combatting the Crisis of Cost,” included testimonies from Bryan Smith, executive director of Lebanon County Christian Ministries; Greg Moreland, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB); and Emily Greene, state director of Americans for Prosperity – Pennsylvania.
Bryan Smith highlighted that “two in five Pennsylvanians live in a home struggling to make ends meet,” noting that higher utility bills, grocery costs, fuel prices, and medical care expenses contribute to this struggle.
According to data from Pennsylvania’s Joint Economic Committee State Inflation Tracker for 2024, “the average household in Pennsylvania is paying $984 more per month” compared to January 2021 for the same goods and services. Additionally, there is an increase of $140 per month on food expenses since January 2021.
Small businesses are also feeling the pressure with rising costs, labor shortages, and supply chain issues. The NFIB’s Small Business Economic Trends Report from August 2024 revealed that 24% of small business owners consider inflation their primary challenge.
Rep. Schlegel emphasized that “inflation is weighing heavily on all segments of our community,” expressing hope that relief could come through economic growth by supporting hard-working Pennsylvanians and empowering small businesses.
Rep. Kail attributed inflation to excessive government intervention: “Harrisburg needs to get out of the way and let the markets lead the way to revitalization.”
The full hearing can be viewed at pagoppolicy.com/video/policy.
Representative John Schlegel
101st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Donna Pinkham
717-260-6452
dpinkham@pahousegop.com
repschlegel.com
