Latest ‘Citizens’ Update’ Detailing Recovery Investments Now Available
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania’s economy added 7,200 non-farm jobs in September as the statewide unemployment rate fell to 9 percent, Gov. Edward G. Rendell said, noting that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act continues to benefit workers, businesses and communities across the state.
“This is the first month since May where Pennsylvania employers recorded a net positive job growth,” Rendell said. “That’s good news for workers receiving those paychecks and it means we are on the right track, but it shows the state and national economy need more time to recover.
“Pennsylvania weathered the national recession better than many large states — our unemployment rate has been at or below the national rate for all but three months since I’ve been Governor — but we need to get more people back to work.
“The federal Recovery Act is helping,” he said, noting that in the past three months, more than 22,000 people were working on Recovery funded transportation projects and another 25,000 people were employed by private and non-profit employers over the summer through the Department of Labor & Industry’s PA Way to Work program that expired Sept. 30.
Overall, more than 130,000 jobs in Pennsylvania were supported by Recovery Act funds through June, according to the Council of Economic Advisors in Washington.
“The Recovery Act continues to put Pennsylvanians to work and is moving our economy in the right direction,” Rendell said. “In the first three quarters of 2010, Pennsylvania’s economy added 47,100 jobs. During the same period last year, when the Recovery Act was just getting started, Pennsylvania lost 172,100 jobs.
“It’s not just about jobs. Recovery Act investments in Pennsylvania are creating short- and long-term benefits by providing a $400 tax credit in 2009 and 2010 to more than 4.5 million working Pennsylvanians earning up to $75,000, increasing alternative energy production, rebuilding transportation and water infrastructure, and funding education,” he said.
Last week, Pennsylvania submitted 365 separate reports two days before the Oct. 10 deadline for Recovery Act fund recipients to file the latest quarterly report to the federal government to show taxpayers how, when, and where their tax dollars are being invested. The commonwealth-submitted reports cover 19 agencies and represent more than 6,100 vendors and recipients — a 22 percent increase since the previous quarter.
All of the reports submitted by the commonwealth and those of every local government, business, organization and entity that received direct Recovery Act funding in the past three months will be available from the federal government later this month. However, the commonwealth made each of its 365 preliminary reports available immediately at www.Recovery.Pa.Gov; click “Reports,” in the top bar, then “Section 1512 Reports.”
In addition, the state’s Office of Accountability produced the commonwealth’s quarterly informational report, called the “Citizens’ Update,” on the progress and impact of the Recovery Act investments. The Update provides a user-friendly look at the state’s stimulus activities and provides information beyond the required quarterly federal reports. It can be read online at www.Recovery.Pa.Gov.
In total, Pennsylvania is on track to receive more than $29.4 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Individual and business federal tax credits and benefits comprise about $11 billion of that total. The $14.9 billion flowing through state government agencies will build highways and bridges, help workers, improve the environment, support communities, develop alternative energy, and house residents. More than $3.4 billion will be awarded directly from the federal government to entities across the state, including local governments, transit agencies, businesses, non-profit organizations and universities, for a variety of projects and programs.
For more information about how Pennsylvania is investing Recovery Act funds to benefit its citizens and strengthen the economy, visit www.Recovery.Pa.Gov.