September 12, 2008

Delaware County Chamber of Commerce Names Rep. Bill Adolph “Legislator of the Year”

MEDIA, PA – The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce announced today that Representative Bill Adolph (R-165) was named the organization’s “Legislator of the Year” for his work to improving the region’s business climate, his commitment to workforce education, and his efforts to grow the local economy. 

Adolph’s work over the past two years to reform and improve the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) was singled out for praise by the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, which noted a strong business environment relies on an educated and skilled workforce.

“During the first 18 months of his tenure as chairman of PHEAA, Representative Adolph has instituted major reforms at the state agency and cut more than $70 million in wasteful spending from the agency’s budget,” said Jeff Vermeulen, President of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce.  “He cleaned up the agency and refocused the organization on its core mission of providing grants to students to assist with higher education costs.”

Vermeulen said that according to the U.S. Department of Labor, 70 percent of the 30 fastest-growing jobs will require an education beyond high school and that 40 percent of all new jobs will require at least an associate’s degree.  He noted that in 20006, AT&T announced that it would return 5,000 skilled customer service jobs to the United States that it had sent overseas to India.  But AT&T has only been able to fill about 1,500 of those positions because of the lack of a skilled workforce

“Representative Adolph understands the important role a skilled workforce plays in the overall economy and job creation,” said Vermeulen.  “As Chairman of PHEAA, he has identified key areas of worker shortages – such as in the nursing profession and nurse educators – and developed grant funding programs to fill those gaps.  He gets business issues and has been a consistent voice for the business community in the legislature.”

Adolph, 25-year member of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, operates his own accounting firm.  As a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Adolph has also championed a number of small business and economic stimulus initiatives, including:

• Adolph was the sponsor and champion of home-based business legislation that allows individuals to operate their business out of their home --- as long as they have no impacts on neighboring residences – with a minimum of government regulation.  Approximately 30 percent of the Chamber’s membership is sole proprietors, many of whom started their business out of their homes.

• Adolph led efforts in the legislature to eliminate the personal income tax on the profits of a sale of a home, saving the average taxpayer thousands of dollars, money that can be reinvested into the local economy.

• Adolph also was the prime sponsor of a groundbreaking telecommunications law, which addresses regulations for broadband availability for businesses.

• Adolph introduced and successfully passed the Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights legislation, which ensures fair and equitable treatment of Pennsylvania taxpayers.

About the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce

The 3,000 member Delaware County Chamber of Commerce serves as the voice of the region’s business community.  The Chamber is committed to enhancing the business climate and promoting the economy in Delaware County, strengthening the quality of life within the community, serving as a liaison between the business community and government, and preparing the region’s future workforce.

 

Paid for by Friends of Bill Adolph and the Killion Victory Committee