“Virtue, Liberty, and Independence” is the motto of PA State. This beautiful state, located in the North-eastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States, got its name from William Penn who was the founder of the state.
With industries of steel, mining, chemicals, manufacturing of processed foods, computer and electronic equipment dominating its economy, Pennsylvania had always been a greater source of employment. But the state has been hit roughly by the recession, recording the highest rise in unemployment in the last twenty five years.
By Feb 2008, PA unemployment rate was 7.6 percent and by June 2008, it had risen to 9.5 percent. The recession initially hit construction and manufacturing hardest, but the continued elevated job losses indicated that the recession had started affecting nearly every part of the economy.
Pennsylvania had maintained low reserves for years and therefore had to face the wrath of the recession period very soon. The fund was insolvent in March 2009. To make that up, the state increased the average tax on employers from $384 to $432 per worker and reduced benefits by 2.3 percent.
In October 2009, about ten thousand jobs were added that brought relief to many of the Pennsylvanians but the economic condition of the state on the whole did not seem to improve. Since July 2007, the state had not added so many jobs in a month so this addition was expected to bring a positive influence on the unemployment problem. But according to the records, it did not bring about any change in the unemployment rate. It was also indicated that the manufacturing industry might see more job losses. However, the addition of jobs definitely helped to balance the economic situation in the state as well as the country.
By Dec 2009, the unemployment rate was 8.9%. And according to reports, the state has already borrowed almost $2.2 billion from the federal government. Pennsylvania stood fourth amongst the most bankrupted states.
The unemployment situation began to improve by 2010. By a combination of government action and the improvement in consumer sentiment, the economy started growing. The rate remained just below 10, but the trend appears to have shifted downwards.