Today, a hearing was held in Harrisburg by Rep. John Schlegel and the House Republican Policy Committee, led by Rep. Josh Kail. This event marked the conclusion of a series examining how inflation affects local communities, small businesses, and households across Pennsylvania.
The hearing, titled “Relief is Possible: Combatting the Crisis of Cost,” included testimonies from Bryan Smith of Lebanon County Christian Ministries, Greg Moreland from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), and Emily Greene from Americans for Prosperity – Pennsylvania.
Bryan Smith highlighted that two in five Pennsylvanians live in homes struggling financially due to increased costs. He noted that these challenges arise from “the compilation of higher utility bills, higher grocery bills, higher fuel prices, and higher cost of medical care.”
Data from Pennsylvania’s Joint Economic Committee State Inflation Tracker indicates that as of 2024, an average household in Pennsylvania spends $984 more monthly compared to January 2021 for the same goods and services. Additionally, food expenses have risen by $140 per month since January 2021.
Small businesses are also affected by rising prices, labor shortages, and supply chain issues. According to NFIB’s Small Business Economic Trends Report from August 2024, 24% of small business owners identified inflation as their primary operational challenge.
Rep. Schlegel stated that “inflation is weighing heavily on all segments of our community,” emphasizing the need for economic growth through investment in residents and support for small businesses. Rep. Kail added that government intervention contributes to inflation and suggested allowing market forces to drive economic revitalization.
For further details or to view the complete hearing proceedings, interested parties can contact Donna Pinkham at dpinkham@pahousegop.com or call 717-260-6452.
