Josh Shapiro: Pennsylvania’s permitting process is now a national model, cutting bureaucratic red tape boosts job creation, and a zero tolerance policy for fraud is essential for accountability

Key Takeaways

• Pennsylvania has significantly improved its permitting process, becoming a national model for efficiency.
• Permits are crucial for economic development and job creation.
• The speed of permitting can greatly influence business investment decisions.
• Streamlining licensing processes, like for barbers, has tangible economic benefits.
• Government should prioritize serving the people over adhering to its own timelines.
• Frustration with government processes can lead to increased distrust in the system.
• 30% of tax dollars are wasted due to fraud and incompetence.
• Efforts to root out fraud in government programs are essential for accountability.
• A zero tolerance policy for fraud in healthcare funding is necessary.
• Pennsylvania has one of the lowest income taxes in the country due to multiple tax cuts.
• Efficient government operations can prevent the rise of extremist voices.
• Accountability in government spending is crucial for effective governance.
• Predictable permitting timelines encourage business investments.
• Cutting bureaucratic red tape can attract businesses and create jobs.
• Effective governance requires that taxpayer dollars are used for their intended purposes.

Guest intro

Josh Shapiro serves as the 48th Governor of Pennsylvania since 2023. He previously served as Pennsylvania Attorney General from 2017 to 2023, where he led a statewide grand jury investigation exposing child sexual abuse by Catholic priests and secured $1 billion in opioid settlements for the state.

Pennsylvania’s permitting transformation

• Pennsylvania’s permitting process has transformed from one of the slowest to a national model of efficiency.

• We were bottom five in the country… I think we’re now a national model easily top five in terms of speed

  — Josh Shapiro

• The state has issued 40 million permits with only five requiring refunds due to delays.
• This improvement in efficiency is expected to attract more businesses to the state.
• Permits are recognized as critical for economic development and job creation.

• We start the conversation is by recognizing permits are critically important to economic development and to creating jobs

  — Josh Shapiro

• The speed of permitting is a key factor in business investment decisions.

• If I can give you as a CEO predictability to know your business is gonna be open in six months instead of three years… then you’re gonna wanna invest here

  — Josh Shapiro

Impact of streamlined licensing

• Streamlining the barber licensing process in Pennsylvania has had significant economic benefits.

• The day I took office it took twenty days for a barber to get their permit… today you get it within that day

  — Josh Shapiro

• This change allows barbers to start earning sooner, impacting their livelihoods positively.
• Such regulatory reforms can have a broader impact on local economies.
• Small businesses benefit greatly from reduced bureaucratic hurdles.

• That’s real money that’s thousands of dollars that we’re putting

  — Josh Shapiro

• Streamlined processes can serve as a model for other states looking to boost economic activity.
• The focus on efficiency in government processes can lead to increased public trust.

Government’s role in economic growth

• Government should prioritize serving the people over its own timelines.

• I start the conversation believing that government can be a force for good in people’s lives

  — Josh Shapiro

• There is a need for urgency in government processes to facilitate economic growth.
• Frustration with bureaucratic inefficiencies can lead to distrust in the system.

• When that happens… it creates more distrust in our system

  — Josh Shapiro

• Effective governance requires a focus on accountability and transparency.
• Public trust is essential for the success of government initiatives.
• Government operations should be aligned with the needs of businesses and citizens.

Addressing waste and fraud

• 30% of every tax dollar collected is wasted due to fraud and incompetence.

• Some of it’s fraud some of it’s just incompetence it could be anything on that spectrum

  — Josh Shapiro

• This waste has significant implications for public services and trust in government.
• Efforts to root out fraud are essential to ensure funds are used for their intended purposes.

• Where we should have no difference is if someone’s stealing that dollar instead of going to its intended purpose we should be against that

  — Josh Shapiro

• There is a strong need for accountability in government spending.
• Reducing waste can lead to better allocation of resources for public benefit.
• Effective governance requires that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently.

Healthcare funding accountability

• A zero tolerance policy for fraud in healthcare funding is necessary.

• Those things need to be prosecuted we should have a zero tolerance policy for that

  — Josh Shapiro

• Ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used for their intended purposes is crucial.
• Fraud in healthcare funding undermines public trust and resource allocation.

• We gotta make sure that that dollar makes its way to that person so they get their health care

  — Josh Shapiro

• Accountability in healthcare funding is essential for effective public service delivery.
• Prosecution of fraud cases can deter future misconduct.
• Public trust in healthcare systems is vital for their success.

Tax policies and economic implications

• Pennsylvania has one of the lowest income taxes in the country due to multiple tax cuts.

• We’ve cut taxes seven times in Pennsylvania

  — Josh Shapiro

• Low income taxes can attract businesses and stimulate economic growth.
• Tax policies play a crucial role in shaping the economic landscape of a state.
• Understanding tax policies in different states can inform business decisions.

• We’ve got one of the lowest income taxes in the entire country

  — Josh Shapiro

• Tax cuts can lead to increased disposable income and consumer spending.
• Effective tax policies can enhance a state’s competitiveness in attracting businesses.

Building public trust through governance

• Efficient government operations can prevent the rise of extremist voices.

• It creates more opportunity for… dark voices on extremes to come in and take advantage of people

  — Josh Shapiro

• Public trust is essential for the stability and success of government initiatives.
• Accountability and transparency in governance can build public confidence.
• Addressing inefficiencies in government processes can enhance public perception.
• Public engagement and communication are key to building trust in government.
• Effective governance requires a focus on serving the needs of citizens.
• Trust in government is crucial for the success of public policies and programs.