It’s About the Jobs!

Although July’s unemployment numbers are not yet out as I write this, the rate was up last month for Pennsylvania although it still remains below the national average.

As I have written before, Pittsburgh’s numbers remain slightly better and I believe it is because there are certain things that our region does very well when it comes to job growth. The Pittsburgh region understands the importance of small business in stimulating the economy and creating jobs. The region knows what resources and programs are crucial to job growth and it focuses on those sectors that perform well.

Quite frankly, it’s a priority here and one that needs to be applied to Harrisburg as well. There are many issues that are on the agenda of leadership in Harrisburg for our fall session.

For each and every one of them, we should be looking at the proposals and recommendations through a job “lens” and if there is not a jobs component to the piece, we need to look at whether there should be one. This applies to transportation funding, a Marcellus shale impact fee and privatization of the liquor stores—to name just a few.

The Governor has talked about his desire to make Pennsylvania competitive and has on multiple occasions declared that "Pennsylvania is open for business." Unfortunately, the budget that was enacted this summer is centered around drastic cuts in education and public welfare and doesn’t properly address the need to create jobs. Even though the Governor has said that focusing on what works is also his priority, none of the bills in the PA Works package were considered as part of this budget.

I have talked about the PA Works package before, in quite some detail, and still believe that the initiative could have a substantial impact on the creation of jobs and would also encourage investment in the Commonwealth.

Small businesses would have more opportunity to expand and flourish through an increase of available loans through the Small Business First Fund and a loan guarantee program could give those same small businesses greater access to much-needed capital. Job training programs and the funding of dislocated worker programs that lead to permanent employment are an important part of this initiative—and address a rising issue for those individuals who are considered long-term unemployed.

I hope that I have shown my commitment to focusing on economic development and jobs to you through my actions and words. It’s time that the entire General Assembly refocuses its priorities and makes our constituents our number one concern. It is their health, safety and welfare that should be our focus—and doing what we can to get as many of our residents back to work, whether by encouraging investment in our Commonwealth or providing residents with the tools that they need to be competitive in the job market.

I pledge to you that I will continue to work to that end and look forward to working together with you to make those opportunities realities.