Berks County News

Rep. Jamie Barton and the House Republican Policy Committee, chaired by Josh Kail, recently held a hearing in Tamaqua to discuss reforming construction permitting processes in Pennsylvania. The state is currently facing a housing crisis, prompting this discussion.

The hearing titled "Removing Obstacles to Opportunity: Building Pennsylvania" included testimonies from Mike Tobash of Tobash Financial Solutions, Jimmy Moore from Lehigh Engineering, and developer Nick Boyle. A major concern raised was the inconsistent enforcement of the Uniform Construction Code (UCC), which varies across municipalities and often results in increased costs that can halt construction projects. While the UCC aims to ensure safety, it has been criticized for not balancing safety with innovation.

Barton emphasized the need for reform by stating, "The escalating cost of housing demands our attention, and it is crucial that we pursue permitting reform to streamline processes, cut unnecessary red tape and promote economic growth." He believes that more efficient processes will empower builders and help residents achieve home ownership.

Kail also stressed the importance of permitting reform beyond housing. He said, “Permitting reform is not just as a housing solution, but a key driver for achieving excellence in government across all industries.” He noted bipartisan agreement on the issue and urged consensus on solutions to resume building efforts in Pennsylvania.

To view the entire hearing, a video link was provided by Rep. Jamie Barton's office.