York County News

Pennsylvania is undoubtedly unique, from its sports teams to its diverse landscape, and most notably, its people. "We truly believe there is no mix of people across the country with the values, skills, experiences, and talent like here in PA," said State Reps. Joe D’Orsie (R-Manchester) and Mike Jones (R-York Township). Despite this potential, recent years have seen a decline in Pennsylvania's economic performance.

According to the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) state economic competitiveness index, Pennsylvania ranks 35th in economic outlook and 46th in economic performance. Neighboring states have taken advantage of this decline by attracting businesses away from Pennsylvania. "We don’t blame them. We do, however, blame the policies and laws that are sending them packing," stated D’Orsie and Jones.

Pennsylvania's geography offers significant advantages. Known as the “Keystone State,” it connects the Northeast to the South and Midwest within a day’s truck drive of roughly 25% of the U.S. population. The state boasts three ports and numerous airports for convenient travel and exports more energy than any other state except Texas.

Despite these assets, Pennsylvania has lost over a quarter million residents in the last decade. The ALEC's analysis places Pennsylvania 46th out of 50 states in domestic migration index from 2013-2022. This population loss has resulted in fewer congressional seats and electoral votes after the 2022 redistricting.

Additionally, Pennsylvania's demographic is aging rapidly. A Population Reference Bureau index from 2021 showed that seniors make up 20% of the state's population. While retirees contribute to communities, they are not filling vacant manufacturing jobs or addressing shortages in teaching and nursing professions.

Economic indicators also point to a decline in wealth among Pennsylvanians. Census Bureau data from 2022 revealed significant dips in median household income for several states including Pennsylvania. Between 2021 and 2022, real personal income saw a substantial decrease of 5.8%, placing Pennsylvania among the highest losers nationally.

D’Orsie and Jones argue that reversing these trends requires less government intervention rather than more. "We’re hopeful for a prosperous Pennsylvania," they concluded, emphasizing that allowing businesses and families greater autonomy could be key to revitalizing the state's economy.

Representative Joe D’Orsie

Representative Mike Jones

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Media Contact: Melissa Fox

717-260-6522

mefox@pahousegop.com

Repjoed.com / facebook.com/RepJoeD