Pennsylvania Chapter Hosts First State ESOP Advocacy Day

On June 10, The ESOP Association brought its grassroots strength to Harrisburg for the first-ever Pennsylvania ESOP Advocacy Day. A dedicated group of 18 volunteers from across the commonwealth gathered at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building to educate lawmakers about employee ownership and advocate for policies that will help ESOPs thrive. Pennsylvania is now the third state where The ESOP Association has conducted a State Advocacy Day, following Wisconsin and Ohio, marking another major step in our nationwide push to advance employee ownership.

TEA volunteers came together to champion a core set of priorities. First and foremost, they urged members of the General Assembly to support SB 478, as introduced on March 20, 2025. This legislation would create an Office of Employee Ownership within the Department of Community and Economic Development and offer financial and technical assistance to businesses converting to employee ownership. Versions of this bill have been introduced in past sessions but failed to pass. This year, our grassroots advocates worked to give renewed momentum to this bipartisan legislation. 

Just days before the event, The ESOP Association learned of a proposed amendment to SB 478 that could significantly weaken the bill’s benefit for genuine employee-owned companies. The amendment would broaden the definition of “employee-owned enterprise” in a way that could allow private equity firms to exploit the term without providing the meaningful worker benefits that define true employee ownership. Volunteers quickly pivoted to educate their legislators on this development, showing how important it is to stay informed in the dynamic world of state advocacy. 

Beyond SB 478, advocates also encouraged legislators to explore additional opportunities to promote ESOPs and employee ownership in Pennsylvania. These ideas include state tax credits, contracting preferences for ESOPs, and loan guarantees—policies already adopted in states like Colorado, Washington, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and North Carolina. They also recommended that Pennsylvania utilize federal SSBCI (State Small Business Credit Initiative) funds to support ESOP formation through state programs. These are exactly the types of strategies the proposed Office of Employee Ownership could research and implement if SB 478 becomes law.

Throughout the day, volunteers split into teams to meet with every State Senate office and key members of the State House of Representatives. The volunteers were a mix of experienced advocates (many of whom had participated in national ESOP Advocacy Days in Washington, DC) and first-time advocates eager to make their voices heard. TEA staff held virtual and in-person training sessions to equip participants with the facts, messaging, and confidence needed to hold effective meetings with legislators and their staff.

However, the most powerful tool our advocates brought didn’t come from a training session—it came from their own experience. Personal stories are what leave a lasting impression on policymakers, whether it’s the impact of a growing retirement account, a more supportive workplace culture, or a resilient company that invests in its local community. When lawmakers hear how employee ownership has changed lives, that’s what they remember when it’s time to vote.

We want to give special thanks to Christy Magee and Mike Borinski, officers of The ESOP Association’s Pennsylvania/Delaware Chapter who helped organize and support this event. State Advocacy Days require commitment and leadership from our volunteer chapters, and this event would not have been possible without their dedication, in conjunction with the other volunteers.

If you’re interested in organizing a State ESOP Advocacy Day in your state, reach out to The ESOP Association’s Government Affairs team. We’re ready to help you bring the power of employee ownership to your state capital.