Stack, Farnese to Help Workers as Labor Committee Members

HARRISBURG, FEB. 4, 2009 — As newly appointed members of the Pennsylvania Senate Labor and Industry Committee for the 2009-10 legislative session, state Sens. Mike Stack (D-5) and Larry Farnese (D-1) said they will use their new role to help working Pennsylvanians.

“This will be a difficult year for our economy, and Pennsylvanians are undoubtedly concerned about job retention,” Stack said. “However, I look forward to addressing these challenges on the Labor and Industry Committee and moving Pennsylvania forward.”

Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate rose to 6.7 percent in December 2008. While this rate is below the national average of 7.2 percent, it is still a major concern for Pennsylvanians and the state’s economy.

“I look forward to making a contribution to the Labor and Industry Committee, and working to protect and create jobs for hard working Pennsylvanians,” Farnese said. “With rising unemployment rates, it is critical for us to develop ways to protect jobs and boost the economy.”

Stack and Farnese also pledge to address the needs of Pennsylvania’s unionized workers.

“Organized labor is a crucial component of Pennsylvania’s strong workforce and we want to support them and help them with issues that are important to working families,” Farnese said.

Stack and Farnese will work closely with committee’s Democratic Chairwoman Christine Tartaglione (D-2) to debate legislation and improve Pennsylvania’s employment, job growth and economy.

“We look forward to working with Sen. Tartaglione,” Stack said. “As a tireless advocate for working Pennsylvanians, she has been able to advance many important issues such as the minimum wage increase and a ban on mandatory overtime for health care workers.”

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