Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Pa. layoffs loom as Congress nears vote on aid - Boston.com

Pa. layoffs loom as Congress nears vote on aid - Boston.com

Pa. layoffs loom as Congress nears vote on aid

By Marc Levy
Associated Press Writer / August 4, 2010
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HARRISBURG, Pa.—Pennsylvania's state and local governments would be forced to lay off a combined 12,500 public employees, including teachers, police officers and firefighters, if Congress doesn't send the state more recession-related aid, Gov. Ed Rendell warned Tuesday.
The Democratic governor has taken the lead in recent weeks to rally support for the federal bill, scheduled for a key Senate vote Wednesday.
Republicans oppose the measure, saying the price tag would add to the nation's growing debt. Democrats insist the proposed aid would be covered by cutting expenses and closing tax loopholes. They say that without the aid, many more Americans would be sent to the unemployment line.