Sen. Casey: PA Unemployment Rate Highlights Need for Unemployment Insurance Extension

October 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC -- Following the release today of new data showing the Pennsylvania unemployment rate for September at 8.8 percent, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement:

“This news is another reminder of the toll taken by the recession.

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“Although the Pennsylvania unemployment rate is one percentage point lower than the national rate, over half a million Pennsylvanians remain unemployed. A significant number of these people have been out of work for months and tens of thousands have had their unemployment benefits expire. That is why I hope that Congress acts quickly to pass a robust package to extend unemployment benefits.

“We are beginning to see the first tangible reports about the positive effects from the recovery bill that was signed into law in February. The recovery bill included direct aid to workers or the unemployed in the form of tax rebates, subsidies for COBRA health coverage for people who have lost their jobs and an initial extension of unemployment benefits.

“It also included other investments to spur job creation and mitigate the effects of the recession like aid to states struggling with their budgets, grants to local governments for everything from law enforcement to water infrastructure and other targeted assistance to create and sustain jobs.

“As the recovery bill continues to be implemented we must remain vigilant in providing assistance to those hardest hit by the economy.”

Source: Senator Bob Casey