Pennsylvania has more jobs, safer infrastructure, greater energy independence, better schools and a clear path to economic stability because of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Gov. Edward G. Rendell said Jan. 13 before the regular public meeting of the state’s Stimulus Oversight Commission.

“During the recession, we made tough decisions to cut the budget and wisely invest Recovery Act funds in crucial education, infrastructure and economic development initiatives that are now providing economic gains,” Gov. Rendell said in a written statement from the Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, referring to the fact that Pennsylvania has experienced four consecutive months of lower unemployment and higher-than-expected tax collections.

“So far, the Recovery Act’s investments have helped create and protect more than 136,000 Pennsylvania jobs, according to the national Council of Economic Advisors,” Rendell said. “..the benefits have extended far beyond the Pennsylvanians who received a job as a direct result of stimulus funds.”

The Governor also noted that:

* 4.5 million Pennsylvanians received the Making Work Pay tax credit during the past two years – helping working families get through these tough times and is injecting as much as $4.8 billion in stores and businesses across the state;

* Pennsylvania businesses saved $2.2 billion through tax incentives that encourage investment and job creation;

* Tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians are receiving job training, including more than 1,000 weatherization workers;

* Nearly 1.2 million out-of-work Pennsylvanians received extended unemployment compensation – providing $4.6 billion of relief as families struggled to keep a roof over their heads; and

* The 1.7 million Pennsylvanians on food stamps received additional assistance totaling more than $545 million to help put food on the table for their families – while also getting that money circulating in our economy.