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Trump returns focus to tax overhaul; pitch in Pa. aimed at truckers

<p>Legislation proposed by state Sen. John Yudichak stresses the importance of manufacturing to the state&#8217;s economy and creates a point person to focus on the sector and create jobs.</p><p>The Chief Manufacturing Officer called for in Senate Bill 923 would be appointed by the governor and also sit as chair of the Manufacturing Competitiveness Board &#8212; another component of the legislation &#8212; to develop strategy.</p><p>Yudichak, D-Plymouth Township, said the state provides assistance to business in numerous ways from grants to tax incentives.</p><p>&#8220;But there&#8217;s not a comprehensive, sustained strategy to sustain manufacturing jobs,&#8221; Yudichak said.</p><p>He joined fellow Democratic Sens. Vincent Hughes, of Philadelphia, and James Brewster, of Allegheny County, on Wednesday to announce an initiative to reinvigorate the economic sector that produces billions of dollars in goods and accounted for more than a half million jobs.</p><p>&#8220;Our manufacturing sector has been, and will continue to be, the steel in Pennsylvania&#8217;s economic spine,&#8221; Yudichak said in a statement. &#8220;But we can do even better if we coordinate policy and bring new ideas forward.&#8221;</p><p>He estimated that between traditional, food and plastics manufacturing there are 15,000 jobs along the Interstate 81 corridor from Pittston Township to Hazle Township. In addition, there are small, family-owned businesses throughout Luzerne County that manufacture products for larger companies.</p><p>The lawmakers relied on data from the Center for Manufacturing Research to make their case for the series of bills directed specifically at manufacturers that:</p><p>&#8226; Employed 566,000 in 2016.</p><p>&#8226; Paid an annual compensation of $72,000 in 2015.</p><p>&#8226; Exported $33.3 billion in manufactured goods in 2016.</p><p>Brewster introduced Senate Bill 924 that directs up to $5 million to a grant program for vocational technical schools, vocational programs and equipment purchases. It also authorizes loans to retrofit equipment for new technologies and increases the maximum loan amount to $7.5 million from $5 million for the Machinery &amp; Equipment Loan fund.</p><p>&#8220;An important aspect of improving our manufacturing sector, building our job base and retooling manufacturing to serve economic needs for years to come is through enhanced vocational training,&#8221; Brewster said.</p><p>Hughes&#8217; Senate Bill 925 raises the cap on the Manufacturing Tax Credit to $12.5 million from $4 million; expands the usage to include job training costs; permits small manufacturers to apply jointly for the credit; and dedicates $2.5 million of the credit to manufacturers in distressed communities and minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses.</p><p>Hughes said &#8220;given the need to build a diverse and strong job base, lawmakers should explore every avenue that is available to secure new manufacturing jobs.&#8221;</p><p>David Taylor, president of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers&#8217; Association trade group in Harrisburg, acknowledged he was unaware of the new initiative and doubted it would make the sector more competitive. </p><p>&#8220;The most important thing is we need to improve our fundamentals&#8221; by focusing on issues such as spending restraints and taxes, said Taylor.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Yudichak  </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_retreat03CMYK-2.jpg</photo0><caption0>Yudichak  </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Jerry Lynott</p><p>jlynott@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Pa. senators propose manufacturing bills to retain, create jobs