What is the value of MBA Government Affairs? Had you asked me that when my better half and I were neck-deep in our small business my reply would have been, “I don’t know.” I knew extraordinarily little about lawmakers, the PA General Assembly, and couldn’t name my PA rep or PA senator. Certainly, I thought, they were doing right by business, weren’t they?
Fast forward to August 2026. I am one of The MBA’s association lobbyists and, in that role, I educate The MBA members about government and educate lawmakers about the members’ top concerns. Tools include the daily “News You Can Use, monthly “Hill Report” and The MBA Business Magazine’s “On the Hill.” I write and send memos to PA House and Senate lawmakers for MBA supported legislation. That’s the short version.
Here is an example of legislation: The MBA is driving awareness of PA’s demographics. Thirty percent of our workforce is aging out over the next decade. The fastest-growing age range is 80 years and older. We lobbied hard to pass the GROW PA package of bills. It provides scholarships for students enrolled to study priority occupations in PA’s state schools. For each year of college, students owe a year of living and working in PA.
Here are examples of educating members about key issues: Worried about the increasing cost of energy? We are on it! Currently our focus is on energy, data centers, AI and the PJM grid. Governor Josh Shapiro’s viewpoints were explained in three recent editions of the monthly Hill Report, likewise The MBA’s viewpoint was highlighted. Senator Gene Yaw, chair, Environmental Resources and Energy committee, presented at The MBA last year. In April, he held a hearing in Pittsburgh about the PJM, with expert panelists including Stephen DeFrank, chair, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC). MBA was present.
The MBA is now on the PUC’s radar. Last December, we submitted comments on the proposed model tariff for large load customers (LLCs) and are listed as contributors on the PUC website. The primary goal of the PUC’s framework is to protect residential and business ratepayers from bearing the financial risks and infrastructure costs of unprecedented electricity demand while supporting economic development. The final model tariff was released mid-May and is the first-of-its-kind statewide framework for LLCs in the nation!
Concerned about the impact of tariffs on supply chains and your business? Tariffs cut both ways: Some members benefit, and some are negatively affected. The MBA can help you navigate the landscape. U.S. Senator Dave McCormick paid an impromptu visit to The MBA in mid-December and heard concerns directly from multiple members. The MBA introduced several members in southwest PA to Senator McCormick’s staff to discuss possible tariff exemptions. U.S. Representative Mike Kelly heard about the damage’s tariffs inflict on businesses when he spoke at The MBA’s May legislative luncheon. He requested follow-up from members with concerns.
Additional support:
- Some members call us to find the best contact to address concerns in lawmakers’ offices.
- Some ask how to find Veterans interested in employment.
- The MBA can host roundtables on common issues as needed.
- We collect members’ top concerns and send them to those in a position to aid or push further up the power chain.
- Workforce and transportation are tightly intertwined. We work on both. Several members and The MBA helped with Carnegie Mellon University’s grant application from the Appalachian Regional Commission for an on-demand transportation program to serve parts of rural Ohio, West Virginia and the south of Pittsburgh.
- Taxes? We successfully lobbied for the phase-down of the Corporate Net Income Tax.
And the list goes on. There is so much we can do for members.
As one member said, “Peace of mind is knowing The MBA is advocating at the state and federal level on our behalf.”
The MBA keeps you informed so you can make better decisions about your business.
Consider this your personal invitation to reach out and give us a call!
Eileen Anderson is the director of Government Relations at The MBA. Contact her at 412/805-5707 or eileenanderson@mbausa.org.