NEW STATE JOB DATA UNDERSCORES NEED FOR JOB STIMULUS

          Harrisburg, April 18, 2008 -- New state data released today showing the 2^nd consecutive monthly loss of jobs in Pennsylvania "underscores the need for state action now to help Pennsylvania weather the nation's economic slide," Senate Democratic Whip Michael A. O'Pake (D-Berks) said today.
          O'Pake said the latest employment information from the state Department of Labor and Industry, showing the loss of 2,900 Pennsylvania jobs in March on top of the 8,000 jobs lost in February "reinforces what we know:  that Pennsylvania is not an island unto itself; that Pennsylvania is not immune from what many already believe is a national economic recession."
          However, what the new data also shows, O'Pake said, is that "this is no time for dilly dallying on passage of fiscally-responsible, common sense economic stimulus measures" like the legislation (SB 1358) he's introduced on behalf of the Rendell administration to increase the state's Job Creation Tax Credit for businesses from $1,000 to $3,000 for each new job created.
          "This should be a no brainer.  It deserves overwhelming bipartisan support.  It doesn't cost the state's General Fund one additional dime, and it'll help to boost job creation in Pennsylvania at a critical time," O'Pake said.
          O'Pake has urged his Senate Republican Majority colleagues, who control the flow of bills in the state Senate, to act on the legislation without delay.    

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