With yesterday’s victory comes responsibilities.  A responsibility to work for ALL citizens as we put Pennsylvania back on track.  And a responsibility to continue advancing the policies that you said you agree with yesterday: responsible spending, helping job creators, working to support our schools and more.  I take these responsibilities seriously and will always do my best to meet the high standards you demand of our elected officials.

Our state faces many challenges in the days ahead, and many difficult choices.   As your Representative, I will work to bring all of us together to find common sense, common ground solutions to those challenges.  We will need to focus on our priorities; thankfully, whether one is Republican, Democrat or Independent, those priorities are the same.

Finally, I must say a special thanks to the hundreds of volunteers, friends and – especially – family who gave of their time and treasure to help us reach victory.  Without their unfailing support, this would not have been possible.

Thank you again and I look forward to returning to Harrisburg to serve you.

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is the nation’s leading small business association representing small and independent businesses.  It is these businesses who employ the bulk of Americans and are key to rejuvenating our economy and job creation.

According to NFIB, Guardians of Small Business are legislators who vote favorably on key issues which help small business to succeed and expand.

In awarding Kampf with the Guardian of Small Business title, Kevin Shivers, Pennsylvania State Director for NFIB, said, “On behalf of our members, we want to thank you for being a true and consistent advocate for Main Street small businesses!”

This award comes on the heels of Kampf earning the endorsement of major Pennsylvania organization dedicated to job creation.  To date, Kampf is endorsed by the the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry, the Pennsylvania Business Council (PEG-PAC), the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce (ChamberPAC) and NFIB-SafeTrust.

The advertisement pays particular attention the issues that I have made a priority in Harrisburg because they are your priorities here at home: providing for our local schools, helping job creators, reforming a broken pension system, and controlling spending.

I hope you enjoy the commercial and ask you to forward the following web link to your friends and neighbors so they can see it too!  The commercial can be viewed at http://www.warrenkampf.com/multi-media/

As always, thanks for your support!

- Warren

State Representative Warren Kampf (R-157) today announced that he has received the endorsements of the National Federation of Business – Pennsylvania SAFE Trust, the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry, and PEG-PAC in his bid for re-election.

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is the nation’s leading small business association representing small and independent businesses.

The Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry represents a diverse membership of more than 900 local businesses of all sizes.

PEG-PAC is the affiliated political action committee of the Pennsylvania Business Council and supports candidates who are best for the business community without regard to political party membership.

Each of these groups is a strong advocate for Pennsylvania’s small business owners and the business community in whole – the economic sector responsible for the majority of job creation in the United States and Pennsylvania.

“As State Representative, I have focused on helping spark economic growth and job creation by making Pennsylvania a better place to do business and to grow for our small businesses,” said Kampf.  “I am honored that the small business owners and job creators of Pennsylvania and of Chester and Montgomery Counties have recognized this work and honored me with their support.’

Elected to the House of Representatives in November 2010, Kampf immediately began working on important reforms to help Pennsylvania’s job creators.  During his tenure, Kampf successfully fought for the continued phase-out of the state’s Capital Stock & Franchise Tax (considered one of the most onerous business taxes in the nation) and to implement a single sales factor for tax computations.

“Warren Kampf is a strong proponent of the pro-growth policies needed to make Pennsylvania economically competitive and create an environment where jobs are created,” said David W. Patti, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Business Council.  “He has already begun making the common sense changes needed to turn Pennsylvania’s economy around and his re-election will ensure we continue down the right path.”

In the legislature, Kampf also supported a multi-year reduction of Pennsylvania’s highest in the country Corporate Net Income Tax to bring it in line with other states such as North Carolina and Florida that we compete with to attract job creators.  He also supported an “Angel Investor Tax Credit” to help spark private investment in new and emerging businesses.  Both of these initiatives are currently under review in the State Senate.

Kampf also supported the successful refinancing of unemployment compensation debt owed to the federal government that will save small business owners millions of dollars, and fought for other unemployment compensation reforms.  He also passed the Fair Share Act, a major reform to the lawsuit system that small businesses in Pennsylvania had been advocating for years.  Taken together, each of these initiatives will help reverse the state’s image as hostile to small business as well as provide small businesses with more available capital to focus on expansion and job creation.

“Your reelection is not only critical to the small business owners in your district, but also to protecting free enterprise across Pennsylvania,” said Kevin Shivers, the State Director of NFIB PA SAFE Trust in announcing the endorsement. “Our members believe that you are a forceful advocate for small business.”

On almost every one of these issues, Kampf’s opponent – former Representative Paul Drucker – has a record of voting against the interest of Pennsylvania’s job creators.  For example, he actively opposed the Fair Share Act and other common sense tort reforms.  Drucker also stopped the phase-out of the onerous Capital Stock and Franchise Tax both of his years in Harrisburg.

In early 2012, Kampf was named as the Chairman of the House’s Life Sciences Caucus, the first time a freshman legislator has ever been so honored.  In that role, he is working to promote the life sciences industry and its positive economic impact on Pennsylvania.  The 157th District is home to several life sciences firms that help to employ local residents as well as significantly contribute to the local economy.

“The only jobs government can create are government jobs that simply add to the burden of taxpayers.  I know that government can build an environment that supports the private sector small businesses and entrepreneurs who do create jobs,” said Kampf.  “My record proves I have done this, and my opponent’s proves he did not.  I am sure that is why the groups who represent Pennsylvania’s job creators have chosen to support my re-election.”

The endorsement of groups such as these, which together represent thousands of employers and job creators across the state, is seen as more important than ever this year as jobs and the economy continue to be a top issue among voters.

My legislation removes the burden from taxpayers for market fluctuations and historic mishandling of pension obligations for future employees.  Importantly – and unlike other proposals — my plan would offer existing employees the option and an incentive to freeze their benefits, which have in the past been protected by our courts, and switch to a defined contribution plan.

Across our state and here at home, school districts and taxpayers have all come to the same conclusion: the current defined benefit system is unsustainable and it is critical that we stop expanding a program that is crippling the finances of school districts across the state.

At the end of the last fiscal year, Pennsylvania’s pension funds for state employees and for school employees were underfunded by more than $30 billion. This issue, perhaps more than any other, will continue to have a negative impact on government and school budgets as revenue that should be spent on important programs is instead used to meet this never-ending obligation.

By enrolling new employees in a defined contribution plan, and at least giving the option to existing employees, whose benefits are protected by the courts, we are moving in the right direction for the Pennsylvania taxpayers. This defined contribution system is fair to taxpayers, easier for governments and school districts to budget for, and gives control of retirement funds to enrollees in the system.

While the casino is located in Upper Merion Township, neighborhoods in Tredyffrin Township are directly adjacent to the facility.  Quite simply, the costs of hosting the casino will not stop at the border of Upper Merion Township and my legislation will make sure Tredyffrin is compensated for costs associated with the casino’s impact on roads, infrastructure and public safety.

Simple fairness dictates that Tredyffrin Township and its taxpayers receive some benefit from the casino to offset any costs they may insure.  That’s what my legislation will make sure happens.

Increase payroll, increase your tax burden. That makes no sense, and it doesn’t encourage job growth.

So it was no surprise when in the latest survey of CEOs by Chief Executive Magazine that Pennsylvania ranked 43rd out of 50 on its list of the Best/Worst States to do business – a survey which asks CEOs to grade states in which they do business among a variety of areas, including tax and regulation.

This came just weeks after Pennsylvania was ranked dead last (50th out of 50!) on the Tax Foundation’s study Location Matters regarding most corporate tax burdens, and a survey by Forbes ranked Pennsylvania 30th among the best states to start a business or build a career.

Bottom line: Too many businesses will not relocate and create jobs in Pennsylvania because our state has a reputation for having one of the worst business tax structures in the nation.

Last week, my colleagues and I in the State House took a major step in reversing this trend to make Pennsylvania more competitive in the national jobs marketplace by passing House Bill 2150 — one of the most significant business tax reform efforts in decades.

HB 2150 eliminates the property and payroll factors when calculating a business’s Corporate Net Income Tax. Starting in 2013, businesses that increase payroll will no longer pay higher taxes simply for hiring workers.

This legislation also reduces the Corporate Net Income Tax from 9.99 percent—now the highest flat rate in the nation—to 6.99 percent over six years. This will make us far more competitive when fighting to lure business from other states.

Along with these common sense changes, we also closed the so-called “Delaware Loophole,” which enabled some businesses to avoid paying taxes to Pennsylvania.

Companies taking advantage of the Delaware Loophole pay an affiliated business in Delaware a fee for the use of intangible properties (trademarks, patents, copyrights, etc.) and deduct the payment as a business expense, thus lowering their Pennsylvania taxable income.

HB 2150 requires corporations to “add back” deductions taken on the types of transactions that are used to reduce or avoid taxes in Pennsylvania.

Making our tax rates competitive while making our tax system more fair and predictable is an action that is overdue in the effort to turn our economy around by helping job creators in Pennsylvania. When we turn our economy around, we will help everyone in the Commonwealth, and we will be able to afford the items that we as citizens believe government must do.

Pennsylvania cannot continue to rank as the nation’s worst state for taxing businesses. This legislation will end that horrible distinction and let job creators know we are “open for business” once again.

“This is a great honor,” Kampf said. “Advances in science and technology are critical to job creation in Pennsylvania and for improving our lives. In my new position, I will continue advocating for tax policy and initiatives that advance research and development within the life sciences economy here in the Commonwealth. Innovation here helps my constituents, promotes entrepreneurial activity in the whole Commonwealth, and can make great strides in the treatment and toward the cure of some of our most lethal diseases.”

The Life Science Caucus works on legislation that supports the bio, medical device, health and pharmaceutical industries in Pennsylvania. The Caucus also helps to educate members of the House on these subjects and likewise interfaces with the federal Congressional delegation.

Kampf represents the 157th Legislative district that is home to numerous bio, medical device and pharmaceutical companies and research facilities and to many of the people who work in these companies and facilities.

Kampf has acted as a key supporter of the Angel Investor Tax Credit, which encourages private investment in early stage projects to help small business and job creators, and is prime sponsor of a bill to increase the Research and Development Tax Credit. He is an active participant in the activities of Pennsylvania Bio, the industry’s coordinating association which is located within his district.

Kampf was joined by Dr. Alan Fegley, superintendent of the Phoenixville Area School District; Paul Slaninka, president of the Phoenixville Area School Board; and Stan Johnson, district director of operations of Phoenixville Area School District.

“School districts across the state are facing difficult financial challenges,” Kampf said. “But the state compounds this by forcing them to pay an inflated rate for public contracts. This is fiscally foolish and places a crippling burden on taxpayers, especially those on fixed incomes who cannot handle increased property taxes.”

“We have $86 million in construction costs upcoming in the district,” Slaninka said. “If we were able to choose not to use the prevailing wage rate we could save $8.6 million for the taxpayers.”

Prevailing wage rules require public agencies to pay contractors wages and benefits “that are set by bureaucrats,” Kampf said. In some cases, that inflates wages well above what that contractor’s work is worth in a particular location.

Kampf’s bill would exempt school districts as a public entity required by state law to pay prevailing wages, unless the school board votes to be subject to prevailing wage.

“Requiring our school districts to follow this law can be a huge financial hardship.” Kampf said. “School districts are struggling to balance their budgets. We need to relieve them of these costly mandates from the state government so they can run as much like a business as possible, meet there core mission of educating our children, and save all taxpayers money where they can.”

House Bill 709, which has 46 co-sponsors, is on the House calendar having been voted favorably out of committee.

“This legislation will help draw students from across the state to Valley Forge Military Academy, one of only five institutions in the country that offers the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Early Commissioning Program,” said Adolph.

Representative Kampf joined with majority of members in the House of Representatives in supporting passage of the bill which now goes to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

“I was excited to be part of the effort to move this bill through the legislature. I know this program will provide additional educational opportunities for Pennsylvania students which is great news for the Commonwealth. Students also have the chance to be considered for a program that allows them to continue their education in preparation for a future military career– a great opportunity for the future leaders of our nation’s military” said Kampf.

Senate Bill 560 allows each member of the General Assembly to establish a State Military College selection committee that will then be able to appoint a student for guaranteed enrollment into Valley Forge Military Academy. Appointments must be made at the sole recommendation of a State Military College selection committee. To be considered by the committee and students must earn a high school diploma or GED; live within the Commonwealth during the term of the appointment; and meet the admission requirements of the college and the Early Commissioning Program of the United States Army.