Senate Democrats Say Corbett Administration Fails to Address Job Creation

Senate Democratic Leaders this past week called Pennsylvania’s latest employment report “unfortunate, but not surprising” given the lack of interest in rising unemployment on the part of the Corbett administration.

“It’s a trend that needs to be reversed immediately,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa. “The national economy and economic picture are improving while Pennsylvania is going in the other direction.”

For the first time in six years, Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate is higher than the national rate, and the state has fallen from seventh to 38^th in job creation.  The state’s unemployment rate for September was 8.2 percent, well above the national average of 7.8 percent.

The Democratic leaders called on the Corbett administration to end more than a year of procrastination on transportation and job creation plans and detail to the legislature what he wants in the way of legislation.

“There are plenty of good ideas to create jobs,” Costa said.  “When we return to session we should have a detailed transportation and jobs plan from the administration in front of us that has the support of businesses, unions and public officials across the state. Right now, we’re getting only silence from the Corbett administration.”

Among the plans cast into legislation is one from Senate Democrats called “PA Works” which is aimed at creating more than 80,000 new jobs—and one that Sen. Tim Solobay supported.

"Our infrastructure is continuing to crumble around us. From highways to bridges to utility infrastructure," the senator has said in the past. "Moving money to these areas makes job opportunities available and jobs move the economy."

PA Works would make use of state resources, leverage private resources and make critical long term capital investments that would create new opportunities for future growth and development.