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This opinion column was written by Mark Harmsworth with Washington Policy Center.
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When Pennsylvania's governor pushed agencies to speed up permitting,
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the idea was straightforward, set clear expectations,
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measure performance, and make government more responsive to the people it serves.
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Pennsylvania has made a concerted effort to reduce backlogs,
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clarify timelines, and improve coordination across agencies
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involved in business licensing and environmental review.
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Reports from the state indicate that processing times have improved in several areas
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and that agencies have worked through significant permit backlogs.
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Just as important, the reforms reframed applicants as customers,
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emphasizing predictability and communication rather than opacity and delay.
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The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
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cleared a 2,400 permit backlog in under two years.
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Only a handful of refunds have been issued
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because the mere threat of paying customers back focused agency minds.
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Washington can take note.
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Washington already has baseline timelines for project permits
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under the Growth Management Act,
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the legislation that controls growth planning in Washington.
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Recent legislation added modest fee refund provisions when deadlines are missed.
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Yet in practice, performance is uneven.
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Some jurisdictions meet their targets most of the time,
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while others fall far short.
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For small businesses, home builders, and families,
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delays still translate into higher costs,
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stalled projects, and lost opportunities.
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Local governments don't need to wait for new mandates to improve this.
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There are practical steps cities and counties can take right now.
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First, conduct a comprehensive audit of all permits and licenses issued locally.
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Many jurisdictions already process thousands of applications each year,
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but the timelines and requirements are not always clearly communicated.
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Publishing firm, accessible timelines for each permit type
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would give applicants a clear understanding of what to expect before they begin.
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Second, strengthen accountability in a meaningful but workable way.
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Refund policies can be part of that.
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Even partial refunds or internal performance consequences tied to missed deadlines
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can sharpen focus without creating unintended budget risks.
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The goal is not to penalize staff, but to align incentives with timely service.
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Third, invest in transparency tools that improve the applicant's experience.
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Online dashboards that allow real-time tracking of permit status
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can reduce uncertainty and cut down on back and forth communication.
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Centralized intake or one-stop service desks
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can help applicants navigate complex processes
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without being shuffled between departments,
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expanding the use of qualified third-party reviewers for technical checks
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while retaining final approval authority can also help manage workload
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without requiring significant new public spending.
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The benefits of these changes are tangible, faster, more predictable permitting,
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lowers the cost of housing, supports small business growth,
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and makes communities more competitive for investment.
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Importantly, none of this requires weakening environmental or safety standards.
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It simply means delivering decisions more efficiently and transparently.
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A handful of Washington jurisdictions taking the lead on these reforms
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could quickly demonstrate what's possible.
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By focusing on clear timelines, consistent performance,
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and better customer experience,
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local governments can make meaningful progress
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without waiting for sweeping changes from the state level.
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The lesson is not that any one state has found a perfect model,
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but that incremental, practical reforms can add up.
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Washington has the tools.
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The next step is using them more consistently and effectively.
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Mark Harmsworth is the director of the Small Business Center
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at the Washington Policy Center.