Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Candidates Discuss Unemployment

In Pennsylvania, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Onorato supports requiring the jobless to seek work. He wants seeking work to be a requirement for receiving unemployment benefits. He continued to criticize his Republican opponent, Pennsylvania State Attorney General Tom Corbett who questioned the work ethic of unemployed Pennsylvanians. Onorato said he was unaware that the state of Pennsylvania does require people on unemployment to look for work.

Corbett's Error

The debate between business and labor over whether jobs actually exist or not, is as old as the hills. Business leaders constantly insist that jobs are available and people just do not want them. Workers on the other hand claim there are few jobs out there and the ones that are available are usually just part time with no benefits. People simply cannot live on the lousy jobs that are out there. Incredibly, Republican Gubernatorial Nominee took a one-sided position stating that Pennsylvanians on unemployment would rather collect then work. This is a monumental error for a seasoned pro like Corbett. When we consider that there are millions of workers and only a very limited number of business owners this amounts to political suicide.

Of course Corbett's comments were controversial and he drew substantial criticism form several fronts. He reversed his position. He now states that his comments were not well worded and that he believes the vast majority of unemployed Pennsylvanians would like to go back to work. He also supports the requirement to look for work while receiving unemployment benefits. He said he believes the American People expect the unemployed to look for work.

The Actual Situation

According to state Labor and Industry Department officials, there is currently no exact requirement to look for work in Pennsylvania law. In the past, emergency federal assistance that are available after state benefits expire have included one.

In Pennsylvania, unemployment compensation covers no more than half of a laid-off worker's pay. Workers offered there old jobs back might be cut off from assistance if they refuse their old job. Pennsylvania unemployment rate reached a 26 year high of 9.1 percent in May 2010.

Source; Peter Jackson Associated Press Writer, Onorato would back requiring jobles to seek work, The Citizens' Voice, July 15, 2010