Infrastructure Investments Necessary Even as Belts are Tightened
HARRISBURG – Reacting to last week’s announcement that Pennsylvania lost 7,300 more jobs in October, Gov. Edward G. Rendell expressed concern that mounting losses could put a strain on families and businesses and continue to depress state revenue collections.
“The nation’s economic downturn is affecting the lives of workers across the country and here in Pennsylvania,” Gov. Rendell said. “The fact that Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate remains well below the national rate shows that we are weathering the storm better than many states, but economists are predicting things could get worse before they get better.
“We need to remain vigilant about cutting and controlling state spending wherever possible, while we continue strategic investments that can provide immediate economic stimulus that will create jobs for hard working Pennsylvanians.
“We have already identified hundreds of millions of dollars in spending cuts without significant negative affect on services. This week, I directed my cabinet to look more closely at their budgets because we need to cut more. We will try to do this with as little harm as possible, but some cuts will be painful.
“Fortunately, Pennsylvania is already focusing on infrastructure investments to stimulate our economy and keep people working. Thanks to our historic infrastructure investment this year, workers are busy repairing and replacing more than 400 bridges, fixing water and sewer systems and making communities safe from floods.
“We can do more. Voters overwhelmingly approved the $400 million clean water bond referendum on Nov. 4, which will produce a significant level of new economic activity.
“In addition to using the resources approved in this year’s state budget, I continue to push for increased federal infrastructure funding that will create jobs and provide an immediate stimulus to our economy.
“Working with our federal partners we can take the steps necessary to turn the nation’s economy around,” he said.
Last week, Gov. Rendell met in Washington with members of President-elect Obama’s transition team and key legislative leaders to discuss the nation’s infrastructure needs.
“If we don’t act quickly, we will see our infrastructure fall further into disrepair,” the Governor said. “Now is the time to make infrastructure investments that will support tens of millions of jobs. These are good-paying jobs that put steel and concrete into the ground. They will stimulate our economy now and pay dividends for our economy and society for decades to come.”