Advocacy

PGCA continuously monitors issues in the NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA and DC legislatures that would have an impact on your membership.

As announced in July, PGCA is partnering with the Bill of Rights Institute to obtain donations of pocket Constitutions. Read more here.

PGCA members who have contributed to this project so far include:
BNP Empowered Print, Buffalo, NY;
Compu-Mail, Grand Island, NY;
NB Bookbinding, Clifton, NJ;
PDC Graphics, Southampton, PA;
Sentinel Innovation, Hempstead, NY;
The Standard Group, Reading, PA.

Download printing specs and donation form for more detail on how you can support this worthy project.

Your support is needed on a matter of great importance to the printing industry in Virginia. A sales tax exemption for materials produced by Virginia printing companies is set to expire on July 1, 2025. This exemption has been a critical factor in ensuring our industry remains competitive and continues to contribute to the state’s economy.

Please encourage your legislators to support SB 871 (VanValkenberg) and HB 2675 (Simons). These bills will simply extend an effective sales tax exemption that for 30 years has helped Virginia printers grow their businesses.

Virginia’s long-standing sales tax exemption on products for out-of-state customers helps printers compete and grow, and has been a difference maker in landing new customers and projects.

PGCA urges you to use our Legislative Action Center to quickly send a letter to your VA legislators, urging them to support the sales tax bills. Don’t delay, act today!

New York State: We are pleased to report that the NYS Legislature adjourned without passing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation containing the proposed ban on carbon black, the primary pigment in black printing ink. Thanks to all who were involved in this monumental effort! Many companies, members and non-members alike, wrote letters, took meetings and made personal calls to their NYS legislative representatives, expressing their concerns. Without our focus on this critical issue, it is doubtful that the proposed ban, which would have essentially destroyed the packaging and label business in NYS, would have been removed from the overall bill! Read more here about PGCA’s efforts to block this proposed ban.
New Jersey: The New Jersey legislature continues to give consideration to an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) bill containing a ban on carbon black along with a number of other chemicals. Melissa Jones, PGCA Co-President, has been in contact directly with Senator Smith, who introduced the bill, and explained why the proposed Carbon Black ban would be devastating to our industry. New text suggested by Melissa Jones has been incorporated into a new version of the bill. Stay tuned for further updates on this issue! Read more about PGCA advocacy efforts here.

Problem:

I’m just one person, how can I make my voice heard on issues that are important to me?

Solution:

Our Government Relations and Advocacy Solutions program provides members with information on key industry issues and the ability to connect with local, state and federal officials to make your views known.

Most notably, the power of having LOCAL government advocates representing you was made critically apparent by Print & Graphic Communications Association and Graphic Arts Association’s efforts on ensuring that print was deemed ESSENTIAL and remain open for operations during the COVID-19 crisis. #printisessential

Understanding how complex laws and regulations may impact your firm can be arduous and daunting. Our Government Relations and Advocacy Solutions program addresses these concerns. Experienced staff are protecting your ability to conduct business every day. Whether it is in Washington DC, Albany, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Trenton or Dover, we advocate on your behalf, supporting public policies, legislation, and regulations that will help your business.