Executive Summary: The Chamber focuses on education

In addition to our traditional priorities of advocating for business friendly legislation, the Chamber has launched an initiative to support our intellectual infrastructure through increased public k-12 education funding with accountability requirements.

Chairman of the Board of Directors David L. Cohen introduced this new focus when he accepted his position at the GPCC Annual Meeting.

"When we shortchange our investment in education, we shortchange our children and our future. And in the end, it is the region’s employers who pay the price," he said.

Maintaining an educated workforce is necessary as Greater Philadelphia continues to compete in the global marketplace.

Even during the current economic downtown, increased funding for education has received attention at the local, state, and federal levels.

Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell’s education provisions in his 2009-10 state budget announced last month calls for increased funding and accountability. We support his decision to continue closing the funding gap in public education. In addition, we support his proposals to make higher education more accessible and affordable. Keeping the doors to higher education open to as many residents as possible is essential to the economic competitiveness of the Greater Philadelphia region, which boasts 92 colleges and universities that help produce our highly skilled workforce.

Mayor Michael A. Nutter has also taken notice of our support for education. At the Chamber’s Mayoral Luncheon last month, he applauded GPCC leadership for its unprecedented commitment and advocacy, which led to an additional $50 million of funding for the School District of Philadelphia.

Even President Barak Obama is committed to a renewed investment in education. In his speech on February 24, he focused on the importance of closing the global education gap in order for American to remain competitive. "That is why, even as it cuts back on the programs we don’t need, the budget I submit will invest in the three areas that are absolutely critical to our economic future: energy, health care, and education…In a global economy where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity – it is a pre-requisite," he said.

The Chamber will continue to monitor the state of education funding in the region. The future of the business community depends on it.