Today, Representative John Schlegel and the House Republican Policy Committee held the last in a series of hearings focused on the impact of inflation in Pennsylvania. The hearing, titled “Relief is Possible: Combatting the Crisis of Cost,” was organized by Rep. Josh Kail and featured several testifiers.
Among those who spoke were Bryan Smith from Lebanon County Christian Ministries, Greg Moreland from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), and Emily Greene from Americans for Prosperity – Pennsylvania. Smith highlighted that “two in five Pennsylvanians live in a home struggling to make ends meet,” citing increased costs in utilities, groceries, fuel, and medical care as contributing factors.
Data from Pennsylvania’s Joint Economic Committee State Inflation Tracker indicates that households are spending significantly more compared to January 2021. The average household is paying $984 more monthly for goods and services and $140 more on food.
Small businesses are also affected by rising costs, labor shortages, and supply chain issues. NFIB’s August 2024 report found that inflation was the primary concern for 24% of small business owners.
“Inflation is weighing heavily on all segments of our community. Pennsylvanians are desperate for relief,” said Schlegel. He believes economic growth through investment in workers and small businesses could provide this relief.
Kail added, “The reason we have inflation is because of too much government. Harrisburg needs to get out of the way and let the markets lead the way to revitalization.”
For those interested in viewing the complete hearing proceedings, further information can be accessed through Representative John Schlegel’s office.
