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Tag: pennsylvania

Pa. chambers eye impact of special election

Lindsay Powell’s victory in Tuesday’s special election allowed Pennsylvania Democrats to retain their razor-thin 102-101 majority in the state’s House of Representatives. 

While the election was decided by voters in Pittsburgh, its impact will be felt far beyond the boundaries of Allegheny County. 

Ryan Unger, president and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC, said there are pieces of legislation the chamber is hoping to see move forward here at the end of the year. 

“One is the Clean Slate Expansion (House Bill 689) which is with the senate now so that’s a good sign,” he said. “That’s one I think we feel could move before the end of the year. It probably won’t be impacted by that (Pittsburgh) election but it’s one we’re keeping our eye on. 

“The other big ones are corporate net income tax (Senate Bill 345) and net operating loss carryforward (Senate Bill 346), got somewhat wrapped up potentially in the budget. We’re hopeful with this election we’ll see movement potentially on some of those code bills and an opportunity to make some changes there. Most likely it will be in the fall for either one of those but there is hope that with strong revenues and with kind of a unique opportunity here we can get some movement before the end of the year.” 

Unger noted that there’s also a bill on transparency in permitting (Senate Bill 350), which he said makes sense in many ways. 

“You can see where your DoorDash is, but you don’t know where your permitting is,” said Unger. “So why don’t we bring that same philosophy to people’s work? It passed with bipartisan support in the senate and it’s now in the House State Government Committee. I’m not sure this election changes that but at least there’s more likelihood bills will move, now that (the special election) has been resolved. 

“Those are the kind of big-ticket things we’re looking at right now. Certainly, the budget is the biggest. The budget could potentially have a resolution around some of those bigger issues because we’re going to start talking about the next budget in 2024.” 

Unger said that while the Harrisburg Chamber hasn’t seen anything directly impact its work, any attention that is still being consumed by conversation about the budget impacts issues the chamber is focusing on. 

“There’s only so much oxygen in the room, right? I think we’re hopeful there could be some bipartisan agreement,” he said. “In reality, when you look at the grand scope of the amount of money the state spends and where the disagreements are, it’s relatively small, and we hope we can resolve those and move forward with these issues that are critically important to the business community.” 

Tony Iannelli, president and CEO of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, noted that in many communities in the Lehigh Valley, there’s a narrow edge for either Republicans or Democrats, and that the chamber takes those differences in stride. 

“We try to work with both sides to the best of our ability and we’ve been able to do that,” he said.  “We’ve been at this game for some time, and we realize we have to work with people on both sides of the aisle and come to some kind of compromise. That’s been our approach. 

“As a regional chamber that’s a combination of many geographic as well as our diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, I think we take all the changes in stride. Although it’s hard today, the goal is to find some kind of happy medium with legislation that we know has to have some flexibility to get to the finish line.” 

Alex Halper, vice president, Government Affairs Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, said state residents are fortunate that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle want to see a strong Pennsylvania economy. 

“Many are passionate about supporting their local businesses,” he said. “We’re confident that lawmakers will think about the economy and jobs and their local employers when they’re considering public policy.” 

Halper remarked that many of the Pennsylvania Chamber’s top priorities – improvements to Pennsylvania’s tax code, for instance – have broad bipartisan support. 

“We’ve seen our top priorities get passed with unanimous support out of the Senate Finance Committee, for example,” he said. “We have a Democrat in the House who’s introduced important business tax reform legislation, permitting reform passed with bipartisan support in the senate. 

“When we think about top priority issues for Pennsylvania employers, I think lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have embraced those as important steps to make Pennsylvania more competitive.”

Small business owners see U.S. economy improving

U.S. small business owners see an improving economy and point to the Small Business Index released Wednesday as proof.

The Q3 MetLife and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index reached its highest score since the start of the pandemic. Used to measure the confidence of small business owners, the Index score rose from 63.1 to 69.2, due to the number of small businesses believing the economy is in good shape.

According to the Index, 66% of small businesses report that their business is in good health and 72% state that they are comfortable with their cash flow. Both measures increased several points from last month.

“The businesses I have talked to from this region, I would say they are cautiously, with a capital C, optimistic,” said Tony Iannelli, president and CEO of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. “For years now, there have been so many reasons why this economy shouldn’t be robust, but it continues to be.

“I think most recently there’s a little more caution, not for any specific reason, but I just sense that businesses are a little more cautious. The crazy growth that we’ve seen from their perspective locally seems to be tempered a bit. A lot of the sky that was falling hasn’t fallen. The predictions continue and I don’t want to ignore signs and some mild concerns that are on the horizon.

“But so far, despite all the predictions, this economy, you can’t argue that it hasn’t been strong, and it has continued in that direction. Hopefully that will continue.”

Tom Sullivan, vice president of Small Business Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, cited the resiliency of main street employers.

“With fears of a recession likely in the rear-view mirror and inflation starting to ease, small business owners are feeling a lot better than they were a year ago,” Sullivan said in a statement.

Inflation and employee retention remain among the leading concerns for small business owners, according to a survey this quarter. Small business owners added that keeping pace with employees’ salary expectations is also a challenge. 

At the same time, small business owners point to what they feel are the unique benefits and advantages they can offer to employees. Nearly nine in 10 employers said in this quarter’s survey that their company feels like a family and that this environment has aided them in retaining employees. Roughly 82% of employers surveyed said small businesses are uniquely qualified to provide employees with connections to and support from upper management.

Pennsylvania seeks to study, regulate state’s use of AI

Saying that the state cannot afford to ignore this new technology, Gov. Josh Shapiro has signed an executive order to establish standards and governance for generative artificial intelligence. 

The executive order outlines the use of generative AI technologies by state employees and will seek to engage innovators in the AI industry to help understand potential impacts and opportunities with the technology. 

The order will also establish a Generative AI Governing Board to guide policy, use and deployment of the technology by the state. 

The governor said he hopes the action positions Pennsylvania as a leader in the AI space, encouraging the responsible use of the technology to help state employees to deliver more efficient and effective services while understanding the potential risks.  

“We can’t ignore new technology – we have to educate ourselves and be proactive to minimize the risks and maximize the benefits of innovation and that’s the approach my Administration is taking here in Pennsylvania,” said Shapiro. “This new executive order will help us responsibly integrate this emerging technology into some of our government operations so we can move at the speed of business and better serve Pennsylvanians.”  

According to a press release, the executive order lays out ten core values that the executive branch will use to govern the use of generative AI in Pennsylvania, including: accuracy, adaptability, employee empowerment, equity and fairness, innovation, mission alignment, privacy, proportionality, safety and security, and transparency.  

Based on those values, the Office of Administration (OA) will create training materials on generative AI usage and develop generative AI knowledge certifications for employees.  

OA will also explore a science and technology fellowship for post-bachelors, -masters, and -doctoral candidates to pursue a two-year stint with the state focused in part on the intersection of generative AI with their assigned agencies’ mission. Generative AI is a tool – not a replacement – to enhance state employees’ jobs, and the new guidelines and policies in place will give employees resources for its use and empower them to upskill certain job functions. 

Shapiro said he has directed state agencies to begin preparing for the impact of generative AI on government operations.  

State public safety agencies are working with experts in AI to address the threats the technology poses, and the administration is taking a multi-agency approach towards protecting Pennsylvania consumers from threats posed by generative AI.  

“I believe that emerging technologies like artificial intelligence are incredibly powerful tools that can help us improve service to our residents and supercharge our workforce – and it begins right now, today, with this Executive Order,” said Pa. Chief Information Officer Amaya Capellán. “Generative artificial intelligence is expected to transform work for vast segments of the workforce for the better, and it is another way that we can amplify the impact of our employees, by giving them tools to be more productive and focus their time and talent on higher level work.” 

 

Amazon to hire more than 6,500 workers in Pa.

Amazon announced Tuesday that it is hiring 250,000 employees in the U.S. in full-time, seasonal and part-time jobs, over 6,500 of whom will be in Pennsylvania.

Roles from packing and picking to sorting and shipping are available to applicants from all backgrounds and experience levels. Customer fulfillment and transportation employees can earn, on average, over $20.50 per hour for those jobs, and up to $28 depending on location.

Seasonal workers will have the chance to transition to full-time positions as well.

Since 2010, a release said, Amazon has invested more than $21.6 billion in Pennsylvania, including infrastructure and compensation to employees, creating more than 25,000 direct jobs here. These investments support an additional 30,000 indirect jobs across the commonwealth, in fields like construction and professional services, and have contributed more than $20 billion to the state’s gross domestic product, on top of the company’s direct investments.

“The holiday season is always a special time at Amazon and we’re excited to hire 250,000 additional people this year to help serve customers across the country,” John Felton, Amazon’s senior vice president of worldwide operations, said in the release. “Whether someone is looking for a short-term way to make extra money, or is hoping to take their first step toward a fulfilling and rewarding career at Amazon, there’s a role available for them. A fulfillment or transportation employee who starts with us today will see a 13% increase in pay over the next three years – likely more, including our annual wage investments – and that’s on top of offerings like pre-paid college tuition with Career Choice and health care benefits on Day One.”

Paula Wolf is a freelance writer

Pa. Gaming Control Board revenue in August increases

Combined revenue for August from gaming in Pennsylvania increased 7.4% over last year to $457,153,095, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board reported Tuesday. 

Gaming revenue regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) includes slot machines, table games, internet gaming, sports wagering, fantasy contests, and video gaming terminals (VGTs). 

Slot machine revenue in August was $203,192,328, an increase of 0.95% over the $201,277,627 generated in August 2022. This despite the number of slot machines in operation in August 2023 being 25,206, a lower total than the 25,592 at the casinos at this time last year. Tax revenue from the play of slots machines in August was $102,847,638. 

Revenue from retail table games revenue for August reached $82,676,497, an increase of 5.38% over the August 2022 total of $78,453,939. Total tax revenue from table games play during August 2023 was $13,513,405. 

Internet casino-type Gaming (iGaming) generated revenue of $144,980,774 in August 2023, an increase of 35.27% over the $107,180,341 one year ago. Internet gaming play tax revenue during August 2023 was $63,190,517. 

The sports wagering handle for August was $393,007,298, or 8.25% above the August 2022 total of $363,046,972. Tax revenue generated from sports wagering during August 2023 was $7,929,470. 

VGT adjusted revenue for August 2023 was $3,484,985, 5.40% lower than the revenue of $3,683,907 at this time last year. By the end of August, VGT Terminal Operators were operating the maximum permitted five machines at 69 truck stop establishments, compared to five machines at 66 establishments at this time last year. Tax revenue collected from VGTs in August 2023 was $1,812,192. 

Fantasy Contests revenue for August was $792,206, a decrease of 5.81% from last year at this time, when revenue was $841,087. Tax revenue collected from Fantasy Contests in August 2023 was $118,831.

Pa. receives $500M investment from Australia company

Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pratt Industries announced a commitment Monday to invest $500 million and create hundreds of jobs in Pennsylvania over the next 10 years. 

Pratt Industries Executive Global Chairman Anthony Pratt joined with Shapiro and Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger to announce the investment at the corrugated packaging company’s plant in Carlisle. 

“I want to plant a flag and make it clear to companies across the country and around the world that Pennsylvania is open for business,” Shapiro said in a statement. “Having Pratt Industries invest a total of $1 billion in Pennsylvania and create hundreds of new jobs is a clear sign that the commonwealth is a place where global businesses can grow and succeed.

“Whether they’re based in Australia or Allegheny County, we are showing the private sector that an investment in our Commonwealth is a worthwhile one – and companies that commit to moving and growing here know that the Commonwealth will be an active partner, and that we’ll work as hard for them as they work for their customers and employees.”

As part of its new commitment, Pratt Industries will invest in recycling, remanufacturing, and clean energy infrastructure. The company has invested $500 million in Pennsylvania and employs more than 800 total workers at its facilities in Carlisle (Cumberland County), Reading (Berks County), East Greenville (Montgomery County) and Macungie and Emmaus (both in Lehigh County).

“Pratt Industries is proud to employ more than 800 Pennsylvanians across the state in high-paying, green collar, advanced manufacturing jobs, and our total culminative investment in Pennsylvania now exceeds $500 million,” said Anthony Pratt.

“As part of that commitment, and as a result of Governor Shapiro’s leadership, I’m honored today to pledge a further investment of $500 million in recycling, remanufacturing and clean energy infrastructure over the next ten years, to create hundreds of new jobs in the great state of Pennsylvania. Our investments will allow the company to grow for years to come, supporting our customers, employees, and the community.”

Through the DCED, Pennsylvania in 2011 provided Pratt Industries with a more than $1.3 million funding offer to locate a box manufacturing plant in Macungie that helped create 125 jobs. 

“We compete every day with other states and countries for global business investments like this one,” Siger said. “Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, Pennsylvania is working aggressively to keep companies here and attract businesses from around the world looking to grow and succeed in our commonwealth. We’re moving at the speed of business to ensure more companies like Pratt Industries choose to grow here in Pennsylvania.”

Originating in Australia, Pratt Industries is America’s fifth largest corrugated packaging company and the world’s largest, privately held producer of 100% recycled containerboard. The company operates manufacturing facilities in more than 25 states.

Pratt Industries has received assistance from DCED’s Office of International Business Development, which offers customized services to help international companies seeking to expand in Pennsylvania.

SBA proposes rule to increase returning citizens’ opportunities

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is proposing a rule that would aid in expansion of access to loan programs for people with criminal history records. 

American adults with a criminal history record would gain entrepreneurship opportunities under the proposed reforms. 

“America is about possibilities and second chances – and that includes justice-involved individuals who are working hard to rebuild their lives through entrepreneurship,” Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman said in a statement. “SBA’s proposed rule would help returning citizens have better access to capital to start and grow their businesses and ensure our economy and society can benefit from their pursuit of the American dream of business ownership.” 

Current SBA regulations contain barriers for loan applicants with certain criminal history records. Some applicants are completely barred from SBA programs.  The proposed rule would expand access to capital for entrepreneurs by expanding eligibility and removing barriers to SBA’s loan and bond programs. It would also eliminate SBA application forms from asking applicants about their involvement with the criminal justice system. 

Individuals with a criminal history involvement identify employment as their most urgent need. A 2018 study reveals that formerly incarcerated people have a 27% unemployment rate, dramatically higher than the United States unemployment rate.  Substantial evidence exists of labor force discrimination against formerly incarcerated individuals, due to concerns about recidivism and gaps in work experience.

Entrepreneurship offers individuals with connections to the criminal justice system an alternative. The proposed regulations would clarify requirements across SBA capital programs and expand access to the capital necessary to start a business.

The rule change would do the following:

  • Standardize eligibility rules across SBA capital programs, including the 7(a) Loan Program, 504 Loan Program, Disaster Loan Program, Microloan Program, and Surety Bond Guarantee Program—which collectively provide over $40 billion in capital annually to small businesses. 
  • Reduce confusion and subjectivity (e.g., what is considered a “crime of moral turpitude”). 
  • Rather than rely on self-reporting from the applicant, SBA will eliminate detailed questions on the application and, instead ask a straightforward question on current incarceration status and then verify that status using the applicant’s SSN and a third-party database. SBA will also check against SBA internal data for those connected to pandemic fraud and other resources related fraud against the federal government. 
  • Continue to allow SBA lenders to follow their own policies on criminal background checks. 
  • Continue to deem businesses with owners who are currently incarcerated and all those who have previously committed fraud against the government as ineligible for all capital programs.

Guzman said the proposed rule “is not only the right thing to do to strengthen our economy and communities, but it is also the smart thing to do because research shows that employment helps people thrive during reentry and reduces the risk of recidivism.”

Biden notes Pa.’s record low unemployment rate

U.S. President Joe Biden noted Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate for August, which remained at an historic low 3.5%, a figure that ranks below the national unemployment figure of 3.8%.

“Under Bidenomics, we have helped build one of the greatest stretches of job creation in American history, and Pennsylvania is leading the way with its second month in a row at its lowest unemployment rate on record,” Biden stated in an email. “The Bidenomics boom is in every corner of Pennsylvania. With record lows in areas from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, York to Erie, Scranton to Reading and Allentown, Pennsylvania is leading America and America is leading the world again.”

The late rankings were released Friday by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I). While Pennsylvania’s rate remains its lowest since January 1976, the U.S. unemployment rate rose slightly by three-tenths of a percentage point. 

Pennsylvania’s unemployment was 0.8% below its August 2022 level of 4.3%. The state’s civilian labor force, which is the estimated number of residents working or looking for work, increased by 1,000 in August. Resident employment rose by 6,000 from July and unemployment fell by 4,000. 

Nonfarm jobs in Pennsylvania were up 15,800 in August to a record high of 6,164,500. It marks the eighth consecutive month that jobs have set a new all-time high level. 

Eight of the 11 industry supersectors saw jobs increase in July, the largest gain (7,400) being in education & health services, which rose to a record high. Construction and trade, transportation and utilities also reached record high levels in August. 

Nonfarm jobs for the year have increased by 153,800, with gains in all 11 supersectors. The largest volume over-the-year gain among supersectors was in education & health services, which increased by 50,000.

Report calls for disability community involvement in solving health disparities

A new report recommending the disability community’s involvement in solving health disparities has been released by the Arc of Pennsylvania. 

Facilitated for the COVID-19 Health Disparities Task Force, the report includes contributions from people with lived experience of a disability, caretakers, and family members of those with a disability, and professionals in support fields. It recommends 10 core solutions for Pennsylvania’s Department of Health, including involving people with disabilities, their families and caregivers in policy making and healthcare decisions. 

“Let’s be clear: This isn’t just a COVID issue,” Sherri Landis, executive director of The Arc of Pennsylvania, said in a statement. “These barriers existed long before COVID. The pandemic just shined a light on them. The solutions report goes far beyond COVID to address disparities that have existed for far too long.” 

COVID-19 health care barriers among people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers were identified in an August 2022 report from the Task Force and The Arc. The report identified the effects the COVID-19 emergency response had on the disability community. 

The Arc convened regional workgroups to ask members of the disability community about solutions to address those barriers in the future. It noted that health decisions for people with disabilities are made without their insight and involvement, despite the community being among the country’s largest groups experiencing health disparities. 

The task force’s latest report, “Recommendations for Addressing COVID-19 Health Disparities Among the Disability Community,” concluded a multi-year effort funded with a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health through the CDC’s National Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities Among Populations at High-Risk and Underserved. 

Contributors to the report included people with lived experience of a disability, caretakers, and family members of those with a disability, and professionals in support fields. Individuals with diverse types of disabilities, including physical, intellectual, developmental, and behavioral, as well as emotional, sensory impairment, and complex medical disabilities, were among the contributors. 

Hundreds of individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, and rural populations participated in the initiative through regional and local interviews, surveys, meetings, and listening tours that served as focus groups to identify the barriers, core solutions, and recommendations. 

The recommended core solutions specific to the Pennsylvania Department of Health were: 

  • Involve people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers in policy making and healthcare decisions. 
  • Reactivate the Governor’s Cabinet and Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities. 
  • Keep helpful policy changes from the COVID-19 pandemic. 
  • Expand community-based healthcare, including telehealth services and mobile clinics. 
  • Include disability representatives in the Office of Health Equity Advisory Committee. 
  • Provide disability-specific training for healthcare professionals. 
  • Designate people with disabilities as a Medically Underserved Populations. 
  • Collect standardized data on the health needs of people with disabilities. 
  • Provide information in multiple languages, easy-to-understand and easy to access formats. 
  • Remove disability as a factor in healthcare decision making during emergencies. 

“The disability community faces complex and nuanced health barriers,” said Landis. “The first step to addressing these issues is for policymakers to listen to individuals with lived experience. Without their insights, health disparities will continue to plague the disability community.”

Shapiro Administration secures $100M for environmental damages

A consent agreement with the Monsanto Company, Solutia INC., and Pharmacia LLC has allowed the Shapiro Administration to secure $100 million to resolve claims related to environmental damages.

The money will be used to aid Pennsylvanians impacted by the production of products containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which damaged waterways and other natural resources across Pennsylvania.

Banned by Congress in 1979, PCBs are a group of man-made organic chemicals consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and chlorine atoms. PCBs have no known taste or smell, and range in consistency from an oil to a waxy solid. They can accumulate in the leaves and above-ground parts of plants and food crops and are ingested into the bodies of small organisms and fish. People who eat fish may be exposed to PCBs in the fish they are ingesting.

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Rich Negrin said the department works to protect Pennsylvanians from PCBs.

“By securing this settlement, DEP is holding Monsanto accountable for what it did to Pennsylvania’s water and making sure that Monsanto is paying for the work the Commonwealth has done to keep its water clean,” Negrin said in a statement. “This agreement demonstrates our commitment to protecting the rights and resources of all Pennsylvanians.”

The settlement recovers costs that Pennsylvania has incurred due to PCB contamination and will be used for further remediation efforts. Under the agreement, $8 million will be used for the communities impacted by PCBs. That fund will be invested to promote environmental justice across the state.

Remaining funds will be allocated amongst the agencies that have been responsible for helping to combat PCB pollution in Pennsylvania, including the DEP, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and Pennsylvania Game Commission (PFBC).

PFBC Executive Director Tim Schaeffer said PCB pollution has contaminated fish in waterways, disrupted recreational opportunities, and impaired a valuable food source for millions of Pennsylvanians.

“On behalf of the anglers of Pennsylvania, we are proud to join our partner agencies in securing this settlement as we work to protect our cherished aquatic resources,” said Schaeffer.

A representative from the Monsanto Company emailed the following statement regarding the settlement:

“Monsanto has reached settlement agreements with the Commonwealths of Pennsylvania and Virginia to resolve all claims relating to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a legacy product the Company ceased producing in 1977, two years before EPA banned their manufacture. The settlements contain no admission of liability or wrongdoing by the Company and will fully resolve all of those states’ PCB claims.

“Under the terms of the agreements, Monsanto will make a payment of $99.5 million to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (plus $500,000 in costs) and $80 million to the Commonwealth of Virginia, terms that demonstrate the prior settlement with the State of Oregon was an outlier. The Company never manufactured or disposed of PCBs in Pennsylvania or Virginia’s environments.” 

Pa. business growth ranking revealed

New research revealed that Pennsylvania ranks 38th on the list of the best states for business growth. 

Business consulting firm Venture Smarter analyzed data from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics to discover the business growth rate in each state based on the number of establishments in December 2021 compared to December 2022.

According to the data, Pennsylvania listed 375,765 businesses in December 2021. By December 2022, that number rose to 391,856. The increase of 13,715 businesses represented a change of 4.3%, 13th worst in the U.S.

Georgia topped the list with a business growth rate of 13.50%. In December 2022, there were 397,515 business establishments compared to 350,189 in December 2021. Virginia and Washington rank second and third with business growth rates of 10.5% and 10.4%, respectively.

Completing the top ten are Montana (10.2%), Vermont (10.2%), Michigan (9.8%), South Carolina (9.6%), North Carolina (9.2%), Colorado (9.1%), and Hawaii (9.1%).

Washington ranks as the worst state in the country for business growth at minus 16.8%.

A spokesperson for Venture Smarter said in a statement that the benefits of starting a business will make it interesting to watch the business growth rate over time and see how many more entrepreneurs thrive with the available support.

“However, regardless of your state, it’s vital to research the fees you will be expected to pay as they can vary significantly across states – not to mention, there are many incentives to take advantage of if you are eligible that can make the process of starting a business smoother and cheaper,” the spokesperson said.

Where does Pa. rank nationally in working remote?

Pennsylvania ranks 23rd in the country in having the highest percentage of males regularly working from home at least one day a week, and 22nd in females working from home, according to the 2023 U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey. 

According to the survey, an average of nearly 27% Pennsylvania males work from home, while nearly 26% of Pennsylvania females are working remote. 

Massachusetts has the highest percentage of men and women working from home, an average of 38%. Mississippi has the lowest at just over 11%. 

Select Software Reviews analyzed the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey which reveals households where someone has worked from home in the previous seven days, and across a variety of demographic splits in each state including age, gender, income, and educational background.  

A spokesperson for Select Software Reviews said in a statement that the findings reveal there are more Americans earning a significantly higher salary working from home. As many high-paid roles involve working with colleagues, clients, or partners from different parts of the world, remote work allows professionals to collaborate across time zones without the need for constant travel, increasing productivity. 

The review noted that “Generation Z” has the highest percentage (33%) of remote workers. It also noted that there are several trends and factors that could influence the future of remote working in the U.S. Hybrid work models are becoming more popular, thus allowing employees to split their time between working from home and working in the office. This approach offers the flexibility and autonomy of remote work while maintaining a level of in-person collaboration.  

Remote-first companies make working from home the default option with physical office work limited. This can help organizations tap into a broader talent pool and reduce overhead costs associated with maintaining large physical office spaces. 

Some companies are also offering more flexible work arrangements, allowing employees to choose when and where they work, based on their individual needs and job responsibilities.

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