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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Mike Sturla Chairman, Democratic Policy Committee |
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Democratic Policy Committee looks at the southwest Pa. jobs climate
McKEESPORT, Jan. 9 – The House Democratic Policy Committee heard from testifiers regarding efforts to create and retain jobs in southwest Pennsylvania at a public hearing today at McKeesport Palisades according to Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster.
Local lawmakers, Reps. Marc Gergely and Bill Kortz, both D-Allegheny, requested the hearing and served as co-chairmen.
“Pennsylvania has had to bounce back from the detrimental cuts in Governor Corbett’s budget last year in addition to recovering from the national economic downturn,” Sturla said. “There is no singular answer to economic recovery, but this Policy hearing was focused on the transformation of southwestern Pennsylvania’s jobs environment.
“Representatives Kortz and Gergely have been passionate advocates on the jobs issue and I applaud their continued efforts to promote job growth and retention in their communities.”
“People need stable jobs that can support a family,” Gergely said. “I thank the local union and business leaders for their excellent suggestions during the hearing. It’s clear that to rebuild our local economy we need to invest in training programs so people have the latest skills to use advanced equipment, and we need policies that attract businesses, especially small businesses, to Allegheny County.”
Kortz added, “We must take action on jobs. In this difficult economy, we need bold decisions and leadership to protect the jobs that are here now and help other people get back to work.”
Those testifying at the hearing included James Kunz Jr., business manager, IUOE Local 66; Frank Snyder, secretary-treasurer, PA AFL-CIO; Christopher Masciantonio, general manager of government affairs, US Steel; Laura Fisher, senior vice president of special projects, Allegheny Conference on Community Development; Robert Hurley, deputy director, Allegheny County Economic Development; and Charles Blocksidge of the Community College of Allegheny County.
For more information about the Policy Committee and hearing materials, visit www.pahouse.com/PolicyCommittee.