State House’s Job Efforts Paying Off, Lawmakers Say

Since gaining control of the state House in 2011, the Republican majority has focused on rebuilding the state’s jobs climate. According to lawmakers from Bucks and Montgomery counties, those efforts have produced dividends. House Education Committee Chairman Paul Clymer (R-Perkasie) made that point Thursday at a press conference at Synergies Technology Inc. in Quakertown, a firm that provides knowledge, experience and skills in multiple design and engineering disciplines.

“Pennsylvania has gained 127,800 jobs since 2011,” said Clymer. “Unemployment in the state – at 5.8 percent – is down 28.4 percent in the last four years and is lower than the national rate of 6.1 percent.”

“We are passing balanced budgets without tax increases,” said Rep. Marguerite Quinn (R-Doylestown). “We have cut taxes and made the reforms necessary to show employers Pennsylvania is open for business and has put out the welcome mat for new job opportunities for our citizens.”

Quinn noted that Bucks County has added 7,600 more jobs since 2011.

“The work of the House is bringing about real change to the business environment and yielding results in the form of new jobs at places like Synergies Technology, Klover Contracting and Cold Storage here in Bucks County, East Coast Contractors in Delaware County, Urban Outfitters in Lancaster, Caterpillar in West Chester, Unequal Technologies in Glen Mills, Armstrong World Industries in Lancaster and more,” Quinn added.

Business experts are noticing the changes as well. Site Selection Magazine ranked the state third in the nation and first in the northeast for new or expanded corporate facilities. Pennsylvania is ranked ninth in the nation for economic growth potential by Business Facilities Magazine, and Area Development Magazine awarded Pennsylvania its 2013 “Silver Shovel Award.”

Montgomery County Rep. Marcy Toepel (R-Red Hill) joined Clymer and Quinn at the event. She noted that her county added 12,300 jobs since 2011.

“The House has approved several pieces of legislation to level the playing field for our businesses. We must continue to create an environment that is supportive of our small businesses and spearhead new initiatives designed to attract manufacturers to the Commonwealth,” Toepel said, cautioning that there is still much work to be done. “Any unemployed Pennsylvanians are too many unemployed Pennsylvanians. Now is the time to focus on the strengths of Pennsylvania’s economy for the current and future generations.”

The lawmakers were joined in Quakertown by owners and employees of local businesses which have experienced or benefited from recent job gains in Bucks and Montgomery counties.