York County News

Pennsylvania is undeniably 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 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 capitalized on 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," D’Orsie and Jones stated.

Geographically, Pennsylvania holds strategic advantages. It connects the Northeast to the South and Midwest and is within a day’s truck drive of roughly 25% of the U.S. population. The state boasts three ports and several airports facilitating both domestic and international travel. Additionally, Pennsylvania exports more energy than any other state except Texas due to its vast natural resources.

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

Moreover, Pennsylvania's population is aging rapidly. According to a 2021 Population Reference Bureau index, seniors make up about 20% of the state's total population. While retirees contribute to communities in various ways, they do not typically drive economic growth or fill job vacancies.

The state's economic challenges are further compounded by declining income levels. Census Bureau data from 2022 indicated significant dips in median household income for Pennsylvania among other states. Between 2021-2022, real personal income saw a decrease of 5.8%, placing Pennsylvania among the highest losers nationally.

D’Orsie and Jones argue that reversing these trends requires reducing government intervention rather than increasing it: "We have to flip the script... allow businesses and families to flourish with more of their own money and time." They advocate for less government as a solution to improve competitiveness and foster prosperity in Pennsylvania.

Representative Joe D’Orsie represents the 47th District while Representative Mike Jones represents the 93rd District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

For media inquiries: Melissa Fox at 717-260-6522