Lentz Calls on Meehan to Renounce Corbett’s Slur Against Pennsylvania Workers

By LENTZ FOR CONGRESS

Media, PA – Bryan Lentz, the Democratic nominee for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, was joined by members of the Building Trades today as they called on Pat Meehan to renounce Tom Corbett’s statement that construction workers were avoiding work in order to remain on unemployment. Corbett made the comments last Friday while explaining his opposition to extending unemployment benefits.

“Pennsylvania has some of the hardest working people anywhere, and our focus needs to be on creating the opportunities for getting them back to work earning wages that sustain their families,” Lentz said. “For the Republican Party to suggest that these individuals would rather subsist and support their families on the minimal wages that are available through unemployment is ludicrous.”

(For a video excerpt click: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw11ab4Q_ok )

At a press conference last Friday, Corbett said that the state’s high unemployment was due to workers preferring to remain on unemployment rather than work. “I’ve literally had construction companies tell me, ‘I can’t get people to come back to work until’ . . . they say, ‘I’ll come back to work when unemployment runs out,’” Corbett said. Corbett did not identify the firms he was referring to.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, unemployment in Pennsylvania is 9.1 percent, the highest it’s been in 26 years, with more than half-a-million people unemployed. More than 200,000 people will lose their unemployment benefits in June and July if an extension is not approved soon. The extension has been delayed by Republican members of the United States Senate.

Lentz called on his opponent in the 7th Congressional District, Pat Meehan, to indicate whether he agreed with Corbett’s comments. Meehan and Corbett have maintained strong political ties, Meehan dropped out of the race for Pennsylvania governor last year to clear a path for Corbett’s nomination, and Meehan also made a contribution to Corbett’s campaign fund.

“Do you agree with Tom Corbett that the members of these unions that have 35-40% unemployment are waiting for their unemployment compensation to run out?” Lentz asked Meehan. “Or are you willing to stand up for the working men and women who are struggling to support their families in these difficult economic times?”

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