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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Marc Gergely |
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Gergely applauds Congress for UC benefits extension
HARRISBURG, July 22 – State Rep. Marc Gergely today applauded the U.S. Congress for passing legislation to extend unemployment benefits for thousands of out-of-work Pennsylvanians and nearly 2 million Americans.
The bill, expected to be signed by President Obama, would allow unemployed workers to receive up to 99 weeks of unemployment benefits. The extension will be retroactive to June 2 when the federal emergency extension had expired. There is no additional cost to the state.
"I applaud Congress for doing the right thing to extend this financial safety net to people who have paid into the system," Gergely said. "If Congress had not passed this bill by the end of July then 240,000 Pennsylvanians would have been left without benefits"
Gergely, vice chairman of the House Labor Relations Committee, said the state's unemployment rate held steady in June at 9.2 percent, slightly below the national average. Pennsylvania has created more than 64,000 jobs so far this year, after losing more than 143,000 in the first six months of 2009.
"We are beginning to see some positive signs for the economy and job creation, but 600,000 Pennsylvanians, who overwhelmingly want to work, are still looking for a job."
Gergely is the architect of state legislation enacted last year that is providing an additional seven weeks of the 99 weeks of benefits.
"Even during these difficult economic times, most people need this safety net for an average of 19 weeks. That's only 3 weeks longer than before the recession. For many hard-working people, especially families, the modest payments averaging $314 a week allow them to pay for housing, care for their children and live with dignity."
Gergely said the state Department of Labor and Industry will notify people affected by the extension. The department routinely provides updates on the status of the federal emergency unemployment benefits program on its home page at www.dli.state.pa.us.
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