Stack Urges Movement of Unemployment Benefits Extension Bill

HARRISBURG, JULY 20, 2009 — State Sen. Mike Stack joined numerous Democratic Senate and House colleagues and Gov. Ed Rendell today at a capitol press conference to urge swift movement on legislation that would extend unemployment compensation benefits for Pennsylvanians.

Yesterday, 17,000 Pennsylvanians lost their unemployment compensation benefits, 4,180 of which are from Philadelphia.

“These hard-working citizens lost their jobs through no fault of their own. They were victims of a national economic downturn that is touching millions of American families,” Stack said. “They’re already struggling and they’re worried about paying their bills and feeding their families. They shouldn’t be penalized any further, especially when we have the opportunity to help them out now.”

House Bill 1770 received nearly unanimous passage in the House of Representatives, but the measure has stalled in the Senate Labor Relations Committee, preventing Pennsylvania from qualifying for $145 million in federal aid that would pay for extended benefits for the affected workers. The measure would extend the unemployment compensation benefits by seven weeks.

“This isn’t a Democratic or a Republican issue. It’s a matter of getting Pennsylvanians the coverage they need, as they try to get back on their feet,” Stack said. “The economic climate is something that is beyond our control but we can take steps to ease the burden placed on the unfortunate people who are victims of the economy, and House Bill 1770 will accomplish that.”

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