October Job Numbers: Job Growth Returns

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HARRISBURG, PA (November 17, 2011) - The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry reported today that the number of jobs in the commonwealth grew by 13,800 in October as the unemployment rate fell slightly to 8.1%.

Keystone Research Center Labor Economist Mark Price issued the following statement:

"Pennsylvania enjoyed healthy job growth in October, a promising sign after recent months of weak private-sector job growth and mounting job losses in the public sector.

“Even with October’s healthy job growth, Pennsylvania still needs more than 237,000 jobs to replace the jobs lost during the recession and to keep pace with growth in the working age population. Recent state funding cuts for education, health care and other services have further slowed the recovery, putting some 20,000 teachers and other public-sector workers out of a job.

“With so many Pennsylvanians out of work, policymakers must take urgent action to spur sustained job growth in the commonwealth going forward."